Investigation of sexual function and body image of pregnant women and sexual function of their partners

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate body image and sexual function of Turkish pregnant women and their partners. The descriptive and cross sectional study included totally 508 volunteer Turkish participants (254 pregnant women and their 254 partners). The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Body Image Scale, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Arizona Sexuality Experiences Scale-Male Form. The mean scores of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain subdomains of FSFI of pregnant women were highest in the second trimester and lowest in the third trimester. Spouses of the women in the third trimester of pregnancy had sexual dysfunction more than spouses of women in the first and second trimesters. There was a significant positive correlation between body image and sexual function of pregnant women. There was a significant negative correlation between body image and sexual function of spouses. Sexual dysfunction increased among the women and their partners in the last trimester. The body image of women differed depending on the trimester and was more negative in the third trimester. Nevertheless, a positive body image affected the sexual function of the couples positively

Keywords:

• Pregnancy
• pregnant women
• sexuality
• body image
• partner sexuality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mehtap Gumusay

Mehtap Gümüşay, MSc, is a Research Asistant in Women Health and Disease Nursing Departmant, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, in Turkey. She continues her doctorate education. She is interested in studying women’s health problems, sexual dysfunction in pregnant and postpartum women, reproductive health and community health.

Nulufer Erbil

Nülüfer Erbil, PhD, is a full professor in Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing of Faculty of Health Sciences of Ordu University, in Turkey. Her research interests include women’s health problems, sexual dysfunction in pregnant and postpartum women, reproductive health, gynecological cancer, methodological studies and nursing professionalism.

Birsel Canan Demirbag

Birsel Canan Demirbağ, PhD, is a full professor in Public Health Nursing at Karadeniz Technical University, in Turkey. During this period, she worked as vice principal and department head for 12 years at the School of Nursing at Karadeniz Technical University where she has been working. She is interested in studying elderly health, home care, chronic diseases, infectious diseases, women/child health and nursing theories… She has been advisors of several graduate students.