Sexual Behaviour During Pregnancy

Abstract

The effects of pregnancy on sexuality were studied in 158 pregnant women. They were surveyed by questionnaire about sociodemographic variables and sexual behaviour. Dyspareunia was common in our study group during pregnancy. Pregnancy had a negative effect on orgasmic quality. Dyspareunia and orgasmic quality influenced coital frequency. Coital frequency declined as the month of the pregnancy increased. Pregnancy is a potent influence on sexuality irrespective of an individual's conditioning.

A prospective analysis of sexual functions during pregnancy

“…3,5,6,9 Lubrication is intensified during pregnancy, whereas orgasm is variable. [8][9][10]16 In our study, the changes of domain scores of desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm were found to be insignificant between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. There are some reports in the literature that show decrement in sexual satisfaction with intercourse, as shown in our study.…”

“…A number of reports exist in the literature to correlate with our findings. 3,[6][7][8][9]11,14 Sexual interest was reported to be unchanged or slightly decreased in the first trimester, variable in the second trimester and decreased sharply at the end of the third trimester. 3,5,6,9 Lubrication is intensified during pregnancy, whereas orgasm is variable.…”

“…2 Problems with sexual function have also been reported to occur commonly in pregnant women. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] An overall decline in sexual activities with increasing gestation has been shown. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Several factors have been suggested to contribute to a decline in sexual activity during pregnancy, including physical discomfort, fear of injury to baby, loss of interest, physical awkwardness, painful coitus and perceived lack of attractiveness.…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] An overall decline in sexual activities with increasing gestation has been shown. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Several factors have been suggested to contribute to a decline in sexual activity during pregnancy, including physical discomfort, fear of injury to baby, loss of interest, physical awkwardness, painful coitus and perceived lack of attractiveness. 5,[9][10][11][12] The association between pregnancy and sexual dysfunction has been shown in the literature; however, most of these studies are of cross-sectional or retrospective rather than prospective study design.…”

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage? A concise history of not knowing

“…12 A Malaysian study found that almost three-quarters of pregnant women avoided sex at least some of the time, and for most women this was due to concerns about harm to the baby or risk of pregnancy loss. 13 A Nigerian study found a correlation between beliefs that intercourse could cause miscarriage, reduced frequency of intercourse, and increased likelihood of husbands having extra-marital sexual relations while their wife was pregnant; the authors reported:…”