Fuentealba-Torres M, Cartagena-Ramos D, Fronteira I, Lara LA, Arroyo LH, Arcoverde MAM, Yamamura M, Nascimento LC, Arcêncio RA. What are the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women? A Brazilian cross-sectional analytical study.
BMJ Open 2019;
9:e025833. [PMID:
31028040 PMCID:
PMC6502039 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025833]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional analytical study.
SETTING
Population-based study of individuals living in the northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil.
PARTICIPANTS
From May to August 2017, 372 women aged ≥18 years were selected who gave exclusive, predominant or complementary breast feeding up to 23 months postpartum, and who did not have contraindications for the resumption of intercourse. Pregnant women, those diagnosed with mental health problems, users of medications that affect sexual function (antihypertensives, antidepressants or antipsychotics) and women unable to read or understand the instructions for the study were excluded.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
The breastfeeding women completed the Female Sexual Function Index, the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and a questionnaire to collect participants' sociodemographic, clinical and interpersonal data. A bivariate analysis was performed, and variables with p values<0.20 were analysed by multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
Sexual dysfunction was present in 58.3% of the study population. Factors significantly associated with female sexual dysfunction (FSD) included placing a low importance on sexual intercourse (adjusted OR [AOR]=2.49, 95% CI=1.22 to 5.09), limited communication with the partner (AOR=2.64, 95% CI=1.43 to 4.86), decreased frequency of sexual intercourse (AOR=2.17, 95% CI=1.30 to 3.61) and low quality of life (AOR=2.23, 95% CI=1.33 to 3.74).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of FSD appears with a great magnitude in breastfeeding women. The risk factors for sexual dysfunction are biopsychosocial and these findings may lead to improved counselling for prenatal and postnatal care.
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