SEXUAL FUNCTION DURING PREGNANCY: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Jamile Monteiro De Andrade
  • Elisa Helena Borges Filgueira
  • Amannda Gabrielle da Cruz Silva
  • Bárbara Gabrielle Morais Maciel
  • Hayandra Ferreira Dias Mota
  • Mariana Cecchi Salata

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51723/hrj.v6i30.1099

Keywords:

sexual dysfunction, pregnancy, sexuality

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the sexual function of women during pregnancy and the most prevalent sexual dysfunctions. Methodology: Cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in a University Center of the Federal District. Questionnaires addressing sociodemographic questions and gynecological/obstetric antecedents were used, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, to assess the sexual function of pregnant women. The variables were tabulated in the Microsoft Excel 2019 program, as well as the descriptive analysis of the data. Data were presented in mean and standard deviation for age and FSFI analysis, the other data will be presented in percentage value.  Results: 28 pregnant women participated, with a mean age of 25.61 years. The prevalence was 46.5% of sexual dysfunction among the participating pregnant women, with the lowest mean in the third gestational trimester. In the present study, 50% of the pregnant women had a low weekly sexual frequency. When analyzing the FSFI score, the average found was 25.91± 5.87, indicating sexual dysfunction. Among the domains evaluated, sexual desire obtained the lowest average in the three gestational trimesters, the averages for satisfaction, orgasm and arousal were higher in the second trimester, and as gestation advanced, the frequency of pain increased. Conclusion: Physiological changes in women's bodies may influence the development of sexual dysfunctions, and it was found that there is a higher prevalence of dysfunctions during the third trimester of pregnancy. Variables such as previous pregnancy, medical orientation on sexuality and practice of physical activity showed some correlation with the values found in the total score of the FSFI questionnaire.

References

Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde, Departamento de Atenção Básica. Saúde sexual e saúde reprodutiva. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde, 2013. Disponível em: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/publicacoes/saude_sexual_saude_reprodutiva.pdf

Preis F. Satisfação sexual das gestantes que realizam pré-natal nas unidades básicas de saúde. Santa Catarina. Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Bacharel em Fisioterapia) – Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 2017.

Köhler BSM, Martins MP, Pivetta HMF, Braz MM. Disfunções sexuais nos três trimestres gestacionais. ConScientiae Saúde, 2017;16(3):360-366. DOI: 10.5585.

Fiamoncini AA, Reis MMF. Sexualidade e gestação: fatores que influenciam na expressão da sexualidade. RBSH, 2018;29(1):91-102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35919/rbsh.v29i1.49

Sobhgol SS, Priddis H, Smith CA, Dahlen HG. The Effect of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise On Female Sexual Funtion During Pregnancy and Postpartum: A SistematicReviw. Sex Med Rev. 2018;1-16. DOI: 10.1016/j. sxmr.2018.08.002.

Araujo TG, Scaldo SCP, Varela D. Função e Disfunção sexual feminina durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal: uma revisão de literatura. RBSH, 2019;30(1):29-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35919/rbsh.v30i1.69

Carteiro DMH, Sousa LMR, Caldeira SMAC. Indicadores clínicos de disfunção sexual em mulheres grávidas: revisão integrativa de literatura. Rev Bras Enferm, 2016 jan-fev;69(1):165-73. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167.2016690122i

Daud S, Zahid AZM, Mohamed M, Abdullah B, Mohamed NAN. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnancy. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2019;300(5): 1279-1285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05273-y

Guendler JA, Katz L, Flamini MEDM, Lemos A, Amorim MM. Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and their associated factors in pregnant women in an outpatient prenatal care clinic. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2019;41(9):555-63. doi:10.1055/s-0039-1695021.

Naldoni LMV, Pazmiño MAV, Pezzan PAO, Pereira SB, Duarte G, Ferreira CHJ. Evaluation of Sexual Function in Brazilian Pregnant Women. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2011;37(2):116-129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2011.560537

Sacomori C, Cardoso FL, Wittkopf PG, Latorre GFS. Função sexual feminina na gestação. Fisioterapia Brasil, 2012 nov-dez;13(6):458-462.

Leite APL, Moura EA, Campos AAS, Mattar R, Souza E, Camano L. Validação do Índice da Função Sexual Feminina em grávidas brasileiras. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2007;29(8):414-9.

Rosen R, Brown J, Heiman S, Leiblum C, Meston R, Shabsigh D et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A Multidimensional Self-Report Instrument for the Assessment of Female Sexual Function. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2000;26(2):191-208.

Wiegel M, Meston C, Rosen R. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Cross-Validation and Development of Clinical Cutoff Scores. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2005;31(1):1-20. DOI: 10.1080/00926230590475206.

Alves JSA, Martinelli KG, Viana MC, Gama SGN, Santos-Neto ET. Fatores socioeconômicos que influenciam a percepção de adolescentes sobre sexualidade, maternidade e aborto. Research, Society and Development, 2021;10(13). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i13.21494

Abdo CHN, Oliveira Júnior WM, Moreira Júnior ED, Fittipaldi JAS. Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and correlated conditions in a sample of Brazilian women: results of the Brazilian study on sexual behavior (BSSB). Int J Impot Res. 2004;16:160-6. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901198.

Soares PRAL, Calou CGP, Ribeiro SG, Aquino PS, Almeida PC, Pinheiro AKB. Sexualidade em gestantes e fatores de risco associados. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(Suppl 4). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0786

Prado DS, Mota VPLP, Lima TIA. Prevalência de disfunção sexual em dois grupos de mulheres de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet, 2010; 32(3):139-143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-72032010000300007

Savall ACR, Mendes AK, Cardoso FL. Perfil do comportamento sexual na gestação. Fisioter Mov. 2008 abrjun;21(2):61-70.

Ahmed MR, Madny EH, Ahmed WAS. Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy among Egyptian woman. J ObstetGynaecol Res., 2014 apr; 40(4): 1023-1029. doi:10.1111/jog.1231.

Bezerra IFD, Souza VPS, Santos LC, Viana ESR. Comparação da qualidade de vida em gestantes com disfunção sexual. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2015:37(6):266-71. DOI: 10.1590/SO100-720320150005254.

Chang S, Chen K, Lin H, Yu H. Comparision of Overall Sexual Function, Sexual Intercourse/Activity, Sexual Satisfaction, and Sexual Derise During the Three Trimesters of Pregnancy and Assessment of Their Determinants. J Sex Med, 2011;8:2859-2867. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02420.x.

Bomfim IQM, Melro BCF. Estudo Comparativo da Função Sexual em Mulheres Durante o Período Gestacional. UNOPAR Cient Ciênc Biol Saúde, 2014;16(4): 277-282.

Sydow KV. Sexuality during pregnancy and after childbirth: A metacontent analysis of 59 studies. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1999 jul;47(1):27-49. DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3999(98)00106-8.

O-Prasertsawat P, Pongthai S, Tangutai K. Factors associated with sexual dysfunctions during pregnancy. Thai J of Obstet Gynaecol, 1997;9(2):103-108.

Gokyldiz S, Beji NK. The Effect of Pregnancy on Sexual Life. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2005;31(3):201- 215. DOI: 00.1080/00926230590513410.

Leite APL, Campos AAS, Dias ARC, Amed AH, Souza E, Camano L. Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction During Pregnancy. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2009;55(5):563-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-42302009000500020

Banaei M, Azizi M, Moridi A, Dashti S, Yabandeh AP, Roozbeh N. Sexual dysfunction and related factors in pregnancy and postpartum: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol. Systematic Reviews, 2019;8:161. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-019-1079-4

Direkvand-Moghadam A, Suhrabi Z, Akbari M, Direkvand-Moghadam A. Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Iranian Woman: Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Regression Analyses. Korean J Fam Med. 2016;37(5): 293-298. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2016.37.5.293

Pauls RN, Occhino JA, Dryfhout VL. Effects of Pregnancy on Female Sexual Function and Body Image: A Prospective Study. J Sex Med. 2008;5:1915-1922. DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00884.x.

Surita FG, Nascimento SL, Silva JLP. Exercício físico e gestação. Ver Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2014;36(12):531- 4. DOI: 10.1590/SO100-720320140005176.

Maseroli E, Rastrelli G, Di Staci V, Cipriani S, Scavello I, Todisco T et al. Physical Activity and Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Lot Helps, But Not Too Much. J Sex Med. 2021;18:1217-1229. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.04.004

Arnold LAC. Função sexual e prática de atividade física em mulheres primíparas no puerpério remoto. Santa Catarina. Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso – Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 2021.

Carvalho GMD, Gonzáles AN, Sties SW, Lima DP, Neto AS, Carvalho T. Exercício físico e sua influência na saúde sexual. Cinergis. 2015 jan-mar; 16(1):77-81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17058/cinergis.v16i1.6090

Franceschet J, Sacomori C, Cardoso FL. Força dos músculos do assoalho pélvico e função sexual em gestantes. Rev Bras Fisioter, Set-out 2009;13(5):383-389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-35552009005000054

Zahariou AG, Karamouti MV, Papaioannou PD. Pelvic floor muscle training improves sexual function of woman with stress urinary incontinence. Int Urogynecol J. 2008;19:401-406. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-007-0452-3.

Nagamine BP, Dantas RS, Silva KCC. A importância do fortalecimento da musculatura do assoalho pélvico na saúde da mulher. Research, Society and Development, 2021;10(2). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i2.12894

Vieira TCB, Souza E, Nakamura MU, Mattar R. Sexualidade na gestação: os médicos brasileiros estão preparados para lidar com estas questões? Ver Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2012;34(11):485-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-72032012001100001

Vescovi G, Flach K, Teodózio AM, Maia GN, Levandowski DC. Saúde mental na gestação, no nascimento e na primeira infância: análise crítica de políticas públicas brasileiras. Cad Saúde Colet. 2022;30(4).

Silva JMC, Silva RMC, Pereira RO, Nunes MAP, Lima Júnior AS, Dias JMG. Perfil sexual de gestantes atendidas em pré-natal de alto risco. RBSH, 2014;25(1):09-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35919/rbsh.v25i1.166

Additional Files

Published

2025-05-30

How to Cite

Monteiro De Andrade, J., Borges Filgueira, E. H. ., Gabrielle da Cruz Silva, A. ., Morais Maciel, B. G. ., Ferreira Dias Mota, H., & Cecchi Salata, M. (2025). SEXUAL FUNCTION DURING PREGNANCY: A Cross-Sectional Study. Health Residencies Journal - HRJ, 6(30). https://doi.org/10.51723/hrj.v6i30.1099

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 30 (2025): Atualizações em Prática Clínica e Saúde Populacional: enfoques interdisciplinares e evidências recentes

Section

Artigos de Temas Livres

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Jamile Monteiro De Andrade, Elisa Helena Borges Filgueira, Amannda Gabrielle da Cruz Silva, Bárbara Gabrielle Morais Maciel, Hayandra Ferreira Dias Mota, Mariana Cecchi Salata

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Esta licença permite que outros distribuam, remixem, adaptem e desenvolvam seu trabalho, mesmo comercialmente, desde que atribuam crédito à revista pela criação original.