Sexuality in Nigerian Pregnant Women: Perceptions and Practice

Abstract

The sexual behaviour and beliefs of 440 pregnant women from South-eastern Nigeria were investigated. The mean frequency of sexual intercourse during pregnancy (1.5 times per week) was less than that before pregnancy (2.3 times per week). The husband was the main initiator of sexual activity (41.6%), while the wife only rarely did so (2.7%). 44.3% of the respondents believed that sexual intercourse during pregnancy widens the vagina and facilitates labour; 34.8% that it improves fetal well-being; 30.2% that it caused abortion in early pregnancy while 21.1% had no knowledge of any repercussions of sexual intercourse in pregnancy. Coitus during pregnancy was always painful in 22.7% of the respondents; was always gratifying in 46.1%; was functional in 49.3% and helped to keep the husband around, also in 49.3% of the respondents. The majority of the respondents (83.4%) considered that coitus should not be stopped during pregnancy. Whereas 19.3% of the respondents believed that sexual frequency should be increased during pregnancy, 73.9% considered otherwise, and 63.6% actually felt it should be reduced. Findings from this study suggest a 'mixed-feeling' effect with a tilt towards a positive attitude to sexuality in pregnancy. Restriction should not be imposed on sexual activity during a normal pregnancy to enhance marital harmony.

Use of Aphrodisiacs amongst women in Kano, northern Nigeria

“…This is probably because those in monogamous setting want to keep the relationship monogamous while those in polygamous setting do not feel the urge to prevent polygamy anymore as they are already in it and therefore the practice is less in them. This was similar to the findings by Adinma in southern part of Nigeria where monogamy is predominantly practiced, that women are generally submissive to their spouses sexual desires 7 though that study attributed that to the male dominance in the society.…”

“…Others live with their problem or risk getting divorce 11 . Therefore, in a culture that accepts polygamy, women do what they think is right to keep their spouses to themselves so as to remain in monogamous relationship and where that fails, they ensure that they win the husband`s attention when they are in a polygamous relationship 7 . Sexual activity is one strong means employed by some women to achieve these desires .We found 11.36% of the women use aphrodisiac in order for their husbands to have stronger erection.…”

Modifications of sexual activity during uncomplicated pregnancy: A prospective investigation of Spanish women

“…Most authors agree that sexual activity and the frequency of intercourse and orgasm show a progressive reduction throughout pregnancy when compared to their extent prior to this [2,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The reduction of sexual desire may affect approximately 58% of pregnant women [14] and can even reach 72% depending on the study [15,20].…”

“…Studies undertaken in Pakistani and Kuwaiti societies identify a significant reduction in sexual activity during pregnancy [3,31] especially in the last trimester. Adinma surveyed a group of Nigerian pregnant women and found a general reduction in sexual activity [9]. In many of these societies their remain fears and beliefs concerning the supposed negative effects of sexual relations on pregnancy and the foetus with intercourse seen to cause abortion, premature birth or damage to the foetus [3,9,20].…”

Gebeli̇kte Eşleri̇n Ci̇nsel Yaşami Ve Etki̇leyen Etmenleri̇n İncelenmesi̇

“…Gebelikte cinsel aktivitenin devam ettiği fakat kadınların büyük kısmında özellikle son trimesterde cinsel ilişki sıklığında ve libidoda azalma olduğu belirtilmiştir (Adinma 1995, Haines Shan Kuen Leung Chung and Chin 1996,Gökyıldız ve Beji 2005, Fok Chan and Yuen 2005, Aslan 2005 Araştırmaya katılan kadınların %44.8'i hayatlarının uzun bir dönemini şehirde geçirmişken, %27.6'sı kasabada ve %27.6'sı ise köy-kırsal alanda geçirmiştir. Erkeklerin %46.6'sı hayatlarının uzun bir dönemini şehirde geçirmişken, %32.4'ü kasabada geçirmiş ve %21'i ise köy-kırsalda geçirmiştir.…”