Risk factors for sexual dysfunction in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the level of sexual function during the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women followed up in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Methods An observational analysis was performed on pregnant women who were not infected with COVID-19. A total of 135 pregnant women (group 1), 45 of whom were in the first trimester, 45 in the second trimester, and 45 in the third trimester, and 45 healthy women who were not pregnant (group 2), were included in the study. The FSFI was used to assess sexual dysfunction status.

Results A total of 118 (87.4%) pregnant participants and 31 (68.9%) non-pregnant participants were diagnosed as having sexual dysfunction according to the FSFI. When comparing groups 1 and 2, FSFI scores were significantly lower in group 1 (p = 0.002). It was also found that women who had university degrees, were multiparous, and in the third trimester were more likely to develop sexual dysfunction (p = 0.030, p = 0.029, and p = 0.001, respectively). FSFI scores were found to be significantly higher in planned pregnancies than in unplanned pregnancies (p = 0.001).

Conclusion The sexual function of uninfected pregnant women decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively influenced by restrictive social distancing measures.