The Relationship Between Sexual Functioning and Depressive Symptomatology in Postpartum Women: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction Previous research on postpartum sexuality has primarily focused on the impact of physical factors on the resumption and frequency of sexual intercourse; fewer studies have focused on the impact of psychological factors on women’s sexual functioning. Aim The aim of this study is to assess current sexual functioning and sexual behavior in women with and without symptoms of postpartum depression using validated measures of postpartum depression and sexual functioning. Methods Women attending postpartum appointments were consecutively recruited over a 12-month period and completed questionnaires assessing sexual functioning, current sexual behavior, and mental health. Main Outcome Measures The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and items assessing current sexual behaviors. Results A total of 77 women returned completed questionnaire packages (mean postpartum weeks: 13, range 3–24). Of these, 57 women (74%) had engaged in sexual activity with a partner in the 4 weeks prior to completing the questionnaire. The mean FSFI score was 23.0 (range 6–34), with 37 women (65%) scoring in the range associated with clinical sexual dysfunction. Women with elevated EPDS scores had significantly lower total FSFI, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction FSFI subscale scores (all P values <0.005) than nondepressed women, suggesting more problematic sexual functioning. Desire, lubrication, and pain FSFI subscale scores were not significantly associated with depression status. Conclusions A substantial proportion of women experience sexual problems in the postpartum period; these problems are particularly pronounced among women with symptoms of postpartum depression. Longitudinal research is needed to better understand the relationship between sexual dysfunction and depression among postpartum women, and to identify implications for prevention and treatment of both conditions.

Postpartum sexual health: a principle‐based concept analysis

“…Dean et al (2008) used the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) (Rust & Golombok 1986) to measure desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction and pain on intercourse. Other measurable aspects of sexual function were frequency of sexual intercourse (Baksu et al 2007, Pauls et al 2008, Safarinejad et al 2009, Chivers et al 2011) and timing of resumption of sexual intercourse postbirth (Safarinejad et al 2009, Chivers et al 2011. This use of diverse methods to describe sexual function highlights the challenge in clearly defining or clarifying the concept of postpartum sexual health.…”

“…Inconsistencies in linguistic use are evident as the term postpartum sexual health was often used interchangeably with postpartum sexuality (Hyde et al 1996, von Sydow 1999, Barrett et al 2000, DeJudicibus & McCabe 2002, Rowland et al 2005, Trutnovsky et al 2006, Pastore et al 2007, Shirvani et al 2010, Hipp et al 2012, Woolhouse et al 2012) and postpartum sexual function (Baksu et al 2007, Pauls et al 2008, Klein et al 2009, Safarinejad et al 2009, Citak et al 2010, Baud et al 2011, Chivers et al 2011, Hosseini et al 2012. This is further exacerbated by a lack of definitions of these terms and the multiplicity of issues addressed in each term in the literature.…”

“…An examination of sexual desire also embodies the term postpartum sexual health ( A similar observation is made when examining the use of the term sexual function. Many studies, aiming to explore postpartum sexual function, measure sexual arousal, desire, vaginal lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm and dyspareunia (Baksu et al 2007, Pauls et al 2008, Klein et al 2009, Safarinejad et al 2009, Citak et al 2010, Chivers et al 2011, Hosseini et al 2012. Timing of resumption of sexual intercourse postbirth, the frequency of sexual activity (Signorello et al 2001, van Brummen et al 2006, Gungor et al 2007, Rogers et al 2009, Marsh et al 2011) and the influence of fatigue on sexual activity (Glazener 1997, Rogers et al 2009) are also said to encompass postpartum sexual function.…”

Besoins et services en français en matière de sexopérinatalité chez les couples parentaux franco-ontariens

“…Si la santé des femmes enceintes est un domaine d'intervention qui devrait être prioritaire en matière de santé pour les FSLM, comme le laissent entendre Lacaze-Masmonteil et ses collaboratrices (2013), la santé des couples parentaux francophones en situation linguistique minoritaire, largement tributaire de l'intimité et de la sexualité au sein du couple, doit être explorée. En effet, lors de la transition à la parentalité, les futurs et nouveaux parents vivent une multitude de bouleversements multidimensionnels et simultanés ; c'est une période de transition demandant des ajustements et une adaptation temporaire, surtout en matière d'intimité et de sexualité, aspects les plus touchés et les plus vulnérables (Bartellas, Crane, Daley, Bennett et Hutchens, 2000 ;Chivers, Pittini, Grigoriadis, Villegas et Ross, 2011 ;de Pierrepont et Polomeno, 2014 ;Polomeno, 2000Polomeno, , 2014Foucault, 2011 ;von Sydow, 1999). Selon ces mêmes études, bien que les expériences sexopérinatales soient propres à chaque couple, une tendance à la baisse générale et progressive de l'expression sexuelle générale est observable pendant la grossesse, avec un déclin prononcé au troisième trimestre et dans les mois suivant l'accouchement, suivi d'une reprise graduelle pouvant s'étirer jusqu'au sixième mois postpartum.…”

Revisão sistemática sobre os efeitos da episiotomia na função sexual da mulher no pós-parto

“…Contudo, FSFI foi utilizado para mensurar o período gravídico e puerperal e se mostrou adequado (Chivers et al, 2011;Jamali, Mosalanejad, 2013).…”