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Factors influencing low sexual desire and sexual distress in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study
Malary, Mina; Moosazadeh, Mahmood; Keramat, Afsaneh & Sabetghadam, Shadi
Abstract
Background: Sexual desire and sexual distress are determined by emotional,
psychosocial, hormonal, and anatomical factors during pregnancy.
Objective: To identify the factors contributing to female low sexual desire and sexual
distress during pregnancy separately and concurrently.
Materials and Methods: Overall, 295 pregnant women were enrolled in this
cross-sectional study. Sexual desire and distress were assessed by the sexual interest
and desire inventory-female (score ≤ 33.0 indicates low sexual desire) and the female
sexual distress scale-revised (score ≥ 11 indicates sexual distress).
Results: 56.3% and 17.3% of pregnant women met the clinical cut-off for low sexual
desire and sexual distress, respectively. After adjusting for the effect of the confounding
variables by logistic regression multivariate analysis, satisfaction with body image
before and during pregnancy, frequency of sexual intercourse, and satisfaction with
foreplay were found to be significantly associated with low sexual desire. Factors
related to sexual distress were similar to those noted for common sexual desire, except
for satisfaction with foreplay. Other factors related to sexual distress included increased
age, fear of abortion, and pregnancy trimester. Factors linked to concurrent low sexual
desire and sexual distress were similar to those found for sexual distress, except for
pregnancy trimester.
Conclusion: Low sexual desire and sexual distress are relatively common sexual
experiences during pregnancy. Several factors could predict low sexual desire but
were not associated with sexual distress, and conversely. Comprehensive attention
to all of these factors is essential while screening for sexual health during pregnancy.
Keywords
Sexual desire; Sexual distress; Sexual dysfunctions; Influencing factors.
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