title: Prevalence and risk factors of sexual dysfunction in postpartum Australian women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent and reportedly has adverse impacts on quality of life. Although it is prevalent after childbirth, women rarely seek advice or treatment from health care professionals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of Australian women during the first year after childbirth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postpartum women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A multidimensional online questionnaire was designed for this study. This questionnaire included a background section, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Responses from 325 women were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost two-thirds of women (64.3%) reported that they had experienced sexual dysfunction during the first year after childbirth, and almost three-quarters reported they experienced sexual dissatisfaction (70.5 %). The most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction reported by the affected women were sexual desire disorder (81.2%), orgasmic problems (53.5%), and sexual arousal disorder (52.3%). The following were significant risk factors for sexual dysfunction: fortnightly or less frequent sexual activity, not being the initiator of sexual activity with a partner, late resumption of postnatal sexual activity (at 9 or more weeks), the first 5 months after childbirth, primiparity, depression, and relationship dissatisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual satisfaction is important for maintaining quality of life for postpartum women. Health care providers and postpartum women need to be encouraged to include sexual problems in their discussions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khajehei
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Maryanne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.affiliation: Department of Sexology, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: P J Matt
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Tilley
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sauer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009948:Orgasm; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childbirth; Postpartum Depression; Quality of Life; Relationship Satisfaction; Sexual Dysfunction