Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background After childbirth, women often experience changes in sexual health. Little is known about the associated factors for the development of sexual health problems. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate (1) how many women report changes in sexual health; (2) the prevalence and...
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06918-w |
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| author | EL Wassenaar F Lont CJ Verhoeven J Henrichs LML Titulaer JC Warmelink CC Geerts |
| author_facet | EL Wassenaar F Lont CJ Verhoeven J Henrichs LML Titulaer JC Warmelink CC Geerts |
| author_sort | EL Wassenaar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background After childbirth, women often experience changes in sexual health. Little is known about the associated factors for the development of sexual health problems. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate (1) how many women report changes in sexual health; (2) the prevalence and associated factors of women’s postpartum sexual health problems and (3) whether women want to be better informed about postpartum sexual health after childbirth. Methods From March to May 2021, 641 postpartum Dutch women participated in a cross-sectional study through an online survey, distributed via social media. At a mean time of 11.6 months (SD = 6.23) after birth, women reported information on maternal, pregnancy and childbirth characteristics and childbirth experience, sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index), sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale), relationship satisfaction (Relationship Assessment Scale) and “perceived need for information” to discuss sexual health with their maternity care provider. Results Postpartum changes in sexual health were found in 88% of women. Of the women who participated, 43.7% reported sexual dysfunction and 52.3% reported sexual distress. Overall, 46% of women perceived more need for information. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that negative sexual experiences were associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.40) and sexual distress (OR 1.70, 1.17–2.46). Perineal damage (OR 1.54, 1.03–2.29) was associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction, and a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 0.46, 0.28–0.70) was associated with decreased odds of sexual dysfunction. A higher level of relationship satisfaction was associated with decreased odds of sexual dysfunction (OR 0.36, 0.25–0.51) and sexual distress (OR 0.47, 0.35–0.63). A positive childbirth experience was associated with decreased odds of sexual distress (OR 0.88, 0.81–0.96) and decreased odds of “perceived need for information” (OR 0.86, 0.79 to 0.94). Conclusion Sexual health problems are experienced by half of postpartum women. Midwives should inform women and their partners about these possible problems, taking into account birth-related factors, e.g. birth experience and perineal damage. Care providers should pay special attention to women with negative sexual experiences. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c2f0b6fb1794603bad2cffaa74b70d0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c2f0b6fb1794603bad2cffaa74b70d02024-12-22T12:54:08ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932024-12-0124111610.1186/s12884-024-06918-wSexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional studyEL Wassenaar0F Lont1CJ Verhoeven2J Henrichs3LML Titulaer4JC Warmelink5CC Geerts6Midwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenMidwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenMidwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenMidwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenAmsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamMidwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenMidwifery Academy Amsterdam GroningenAbstract Background After childbirth, women often experience changes in sexual health. Little is known about the associated factors for the development of sexual health problems. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate (1) how many women report changes in sexual health; (2) the prevalence and associated factors of women’s postpartum sexual health problems and (3) whether women want to be better informed about postpartum sexual health after childbirth. Methods From March to May 2021, 641 postpartum Dutch women participated in a cross-sectional study through an online survey, distributed via social media. At a mean time of 11.6 months (SD = 6.23) after birth, women reported information on maternal, pregnancy and childbirth characteristics and childbirth experience, sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index), sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale), relationship satisfaction (Relationship Assessment Scale) and “perceived need for information” to discuss sexual health with their maternity care provider. Results Postpartum changes in sexual health were found in 88% of women. Of the women who participated, 43.7% reported sexual dysfunction and 52.3% reported sexual distress. Overall, 46% of women perceived more need for information. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that negative sexual experiences were associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.40) and sexual distress (OR 1.70, 1.17–2.46). Perineal damage (OR 1.54, 1.03–2.29) was associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction, and a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 0.46, 0.28–0.70) was associated with decreased odds of sexual dysfunction. A higher level of relationship satisfaction was associated with decreased odds of sexual dysfunction (OR 0.36, 0.25–0.51) and sexual distress (OR 0.47, 0.35–0.63). A positive childbirth experience was associated with decreased odds of sexual distress (OR 0.88, 0.81–0.96) and decreased odds of “perceived need for information” (OR 0.86, 0.79 to 0.94). Conclusion Sexual health problems are experienced by half of postpartum women. Midwives should inform women and their partners about these possible problems, taking into account birth-related factors, e.g. birth experience and perineal damage. Care providers should pay special attention to women with negative sexual experiences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06918-wSexual distressSexual dysfunctionBirth experienceAssociated factorsSexual healthChildbirth |
| spellingShingle | EL Wassenaar F Lont CJ Verhoeven J Henrichs LML Titulaer JC Warmelink CC Geerts Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Sexual distress Sexual dysfunction Birth experience Associated factors Sexual health Childbirth |
| title | Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | sexual health after childbirth in dutch women prevalence associated factors and perceived need for information a cross sectional study |
| topic | Sexual distress Sexual dysfunction Birth experience Associated factors Sexual health Childbirth |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06918-w |
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