Alterations in sexual functions during and after pregnancy: Prejudice? Or Real?

• Main Authors: Fatma Beyazit, Eren Pek, Basak Sahin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ANP Publishing 2018-12-01
• Series: Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi
• Subjects: Sexual health; sexual dysfunction; pregnancy; delivery
• Online Access: https://www.journalagent.com/kpd/pdfs/KPD-73644-REVIEW-PEK.pdf

Sexual function in women is a complex and dynamic interaction of multiple variables including physical, emotinal, social, and physiological states. Moreover, sexual function is a key part of each human being’s personality and a cornerstone in the overall couple relationship with an obvious affect on health related quality of life. A dysfunction in female sexual cycle can result in lack of desire for sexual contact, arousal and an inability to have an orgasm. Pregnancy is a period with many alterations in human physiology leading to challenges in sexual function. Endocrine, biologic, psychosomatic and social factors as well as anatomical alteations during pregnancy and the different mode of delivery may aggravate female sexual dysfunction. This literature review examines research articles that investigated female sexual function, sexual dysfunction, and sexual functioning in pregnancy in order to obtain how these parameters affect a woman’s sexual related quality of life.