Effects of demographic and obstetric variables with body image on sexual dysfunction in pregnancy: A cross-sectional and comparative study.

AIM

This study was conducted to determine the effects of demographic and obstetric variables with body image on sexual dysfunction in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction is frequent in pregnant women. To what extent body image plays a role is incompletely understood.

METHODS

In the research, a cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted. A personal information form, body image scale, and female sexual function index were applied to 472 pregnant women. Descriptive statistics, the Student t-test, the χ test, and logistic regression analysis were employed for evaluating the data.

RESULTS

Sexual dysfunction was found in 54.7%. The frequency of sexual dysfunction in the first trimester was lower. In addition, factors like the place of residence of the pregnant women and number of pregnancies were found to be related to sexual dysfunction in pregnant women. Each unit decrease in body image score resulted in women being 0.98 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that approximately one in two pregnant women experienced sexual dysfunction, and body image, place of residence, trimester of the pregnancy, and number of pregnancies were important factors affecting sexual function.