title: Termination of pregnancy and women's sexuality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of termination of pregnancy (TOP) on women's sexuality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective qualitative and quantitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  103 women undergoing induced abortion by vacuum aspiration, interviewed 1-3 weeks before surgery and 6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After TOP, patients described symptoms of fatigue (39%), feelings of guilt (35%), sadness (34%) and anxiety (29%). Thirty-one percent of women presented at least one sexual dysfunction, 18% a decrease in sexual desire, 17% orgasmic disorders, 12% vaginal dryness and 11% dyspareunia. These sexual dysfunctions were correlated with anxiety and symptoms of depression following TOP. Six months after TOP, 57% of the women reported no change in their sexual satisfaction, 17% were 'more satisfied' and 7% 'less satisfied'. Lessening of sexual satisfaction after TOP was correlated with diminished partner satisfaction (p < 0.00001), fatigue (p < 0.0009), feelings of guilt (p < 0.01), low frequency of sexual relations (p < 0.01) and anxiety over sexual relations (p < 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Six months after TOP some women presented persisting sexual dysfunction. This sexual dysfunction may be explained essentially by the appearance of symptoms of anxiety and depression following TOP. When the quality of the relationship was satisfying, women could cope more easily with the appearance of a sexual dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bianchi-Demicheli
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lüdicke
authors.forename: Patrizia Grace
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chatton
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campana
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*