Prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the sexual function and to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among teenagers and adult women during pregnancy using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).


METHODS
A cohort study was conducted with 271 healthy pregnant women presenting a stable relationship with their partners. These women contributed to the survey since the laboratory diagnosis of their present pregnancy. Anonymous questionnaires evaluated aspects of sexual activity and female sexual function. This last item was assessed through the FSFI questionnaire.


RESULTS
The women sexual function showed a similar pattern during the first and second trimesters; however, it presented a significantly clear decrease in the third trimester. There was a significant difference in the scores of all FSFI domains when comparing the second and third trimesters. The sexual dysfunction among pregnant teenagers was rated 40.8% in the first trimester, 31.2% in the second and 63.2% in the third. For pregnant adults, the dysfunction was rated, respectively, 46.6%, 34.2% and 73.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The sexual function is affected during pregnancy with a significant decrease in all FSFI domains in the third trimester considering both pregnant teenagers and adults. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high during pregnancy and reaches higher levels in the third trimester in both age groups; however, teenagers presented better sexual function ratings.
Leite
Alessandra Plácido Lima
AP
Universidade Estadual de Ciências da Saúde de Alagoas, Maceió, AL.
Campos
Ana Aurélia Salles
AA
Dias
Antonio Roberto Cardoso
AR
Amed
Abes Mahmed
AM
De Souza
Eduardo
E
Camano
Luis
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult