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open access

Vol 92, No 1 (2021)
Research paper
Published online: 2021-01-29
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The impact of motherhood on sexuality

Anna Fuchs1, Iwona Czech1, Agnieszka Dulska1, Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop1
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2020.0162
·
Pubmed: 33576487
·
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(1):1-6.
Affiliations
  1. Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, School of Health Science in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Poland

open access

Vol 92, No 1 (2021)
ORIGINAL PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2021-01-29

Abstract

Objectives: Motherhood is a beautiful, extremely satisfying time ina woman’s life, but also very challenging at the same
time. Forty weeks of pregnancy, delivery, postpartum and breastfeeding periods affect physiological and mental functions
that may unfortunately hinder women sexuality.
Material and methods: A longitudinal study was carried out. The questionnaire was developed to include a validated tool
as wells as socio-demographic and medical data. The completely self-administered questionnaire was provided to patients
twice — before pregnancy and postpartum. Finally, 398 women were included in the study and filled out the survey.
Results: Pregnancy and childbirth significantly (p < 0.001) reduce female sexual activity by lowering FSFI score. A similar
relationship occurs in the six domains included in the FSFI scale.The number of women who received ≤ 26 points (which
may indicate sexual dysfunctions) before pregnancy is 34 (8.54%) and after giving birth it is 167 (41.96%)
Conclusions: Pregnancy and childbirth significantly reduce female sexual activity by lowering FSFI score. The number of
women who with sexual dysfunctions increases fivefold after giving birth, and may even reach the value of 40% of young
mothers. The role of the medical personnel in maintain women’s sexual health is extremely important.

Abstract

Objectives: Motherhood is a beautiful, extremely satisfying time ina woman’s life, but also very challenging at the same
time. Forty weeks of pregnancy, delivery, postpartum and breastfeeding periods affect physiological and mental functions
that may unfortunately hinder women sexuality.
Material and methods: A longitudinal study was carried out. The questionnaire was developed to include a validated tool
as wells as socio-demographic and medical data. The completely self-administered questionnaire was provided to patients
twice — before pregnancy and postpartum. Finally, 398 women were included in the study and filled out the survey.
Results: Pregnancy and childbirth significantly (p < 0.001) reduce female sexual activity by lowering FSFI score. A similar
relationship occurs in the six domains included in the FSFI scale.The number of women who received ≤ 26 points (which
may indicate sexual dysfunctions) before pregnancy is 34 (8.54%) and after giving birth it is 167 (41.96%)
Conclusions: Pregnancy and childbirth significantly reduce female sexual activity by lowering FSFI score. The number of
women who with sexual dysfunctions increases fivefold after giving birth, and may even reach the value of 40% of young
mothers. The role of the medical personnel in maintain women’s sexual health is extremely important.

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Keywords

sexuality; pregnancy; intercourse; desire; motherhood; pain; sexual dysfunction

About this article
Title

The impact of motherhood on sexuality

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 92, No 1 (2021)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

1-6

Published online

2021-01-29

Page views

3300

Article views/downloads

4378

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2020.0162

Pubmed

33576487

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2021;92(1):1-6.

Keywords

sexuality
pregnancy
intercourse
desire
motherhood
pain
sexual dysfunction

Authors

Anna Fuchs
Iwona Czech
Agnieszka Dulska
Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop

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