Female Sexual Function and Its Associations with Number of Children, Pregnancy, and Relationship Satisfaction

Abstract

Associations between number of children, pregnancy, and overall relationship satisfaction were explored in a population-based sample of 2081 women, aged 33–43 years. Multiparous women had less orgasm problems compared to nulliparous women. Nulliparous women had more pain problems and were sexually less satisfied compared to women with children, regardless of the number. Women pregnant with the first child had fewer pain problems compared to a matched nonpregnant control and were sexually more satisfied. Being more satisfied with the overall relationship was related to higher sexual satisfaction and less sexual function problems.

This research was financed by grant no. 210298 from the Academy of Finland and a Centre of Excellence Grant from the Stiftelsen för Åtbo Akademi-Foundation. We want to thank the participating twins.

Notes

¹ df (3,1530) for dysfunctions, df (3, 1422) for PRQC.

²single females excluded.

³Set as reference category.

∗p < .05;

∗∗∗p < .001

^a p < .05;

^b p < .01;

^c p < .001.

¹ df (2,1539) for dysfunctions, df (2,1433) for PRQC.

²Single females excluded.

³Set as reference category using simple contrast method.

∗p < .05;

∗∗p < .01;

∗∗∗p < .001.

^a p < .05;

^b p < .01;

^c p < .001.

¹ df (1,17),

² df (1,57)

^† p = 0.07.

∗p < .05.

¹Single females excluded

∗∗∗p < .001.