Prevalence of sexual dysfunction among pregnant women attending prenatal care at a hospital in Rionegro, Colombia, 2020-2021

Objective: To describe the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in a group of pregnant women, and to explore potential factors associated with this condition in this population.

Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study in pregnant women 15 years of age and older, sexually active during gestation, receiving prenatal care at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Rionegro between January and March, 2021. The exclusion criteria were patients with disabilities or cognitive impairment, or classified as having a mental disorder according to the World Health Organization (WHO); pregnant women with chronic, placental, ovulation, hemorrhagic or infectious conditions; and patients whose pregnancy was the result of sexual assault. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was applied, and sociodemographic and sexual and reproductive health variables were measured. Results are expressed as absolute and relative frequencies for qualitative variables, and as medians and interquartile ranges for quantitative variables.

Results: The mean age in years was 27.5 (IQR: 21.3-31.0) and the mean gestational age was 28.5 weeks (IQR: 21.3-34.8). After administering the FSFI, it was found that 37 women (37.7%) had sexual dysfunction (score < 26.5). The median scores for the participants without sexual dysfunction and those with sexual dysfunction were 29.4 (IQR 26.8-32) and 22.3 (IQR 20-24), respectively. The mean scores for each domain were: desire 3.6 (IQR: 3.0-4.2); arousal 4.5 (IQR: 3.6-5.1); lubrication 4.8 (IQR: 3.9-5.4); orgasm 4.4 (IQR: 3.6-5.2); pain 4.4 (IQR: 3.6-6.0); and satisfaction 5.4 (IQR: 4.8-6.0). The total score (p<0.05) was better in older women and those with one or more children.

Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction occurs at least in one third of pregnant women, especially during the third trimester. Sexual dysfunction should be considered in daily clinical practice, given that approaching the topic from an education perspective can help reduce a problem that affects the couple and quality of life. It is critical to undertake additional research that includes assessment of the effectiveness and safety of educational strategies in this population with sexual dysfunction.