Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
04:22
Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Effect of parity on sexual function: an identical twin study
Sylvia M Botros1, Yoram Abramov, Jay-James R Miller
1Division of Urogynecology, Evanston Continence Center, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Evanston, Illinois, USA. sbotros@enh.org
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|April 4, 2006
Summary
Childbirth negatively impacts female sexual function, with nulliparous women reporting higher satisfaction than parous women. This effect persists long-term, likely due to psychological factors.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Female Sexual Medicine
- Genetics and Genomics
Background:
- Female sexual function can be affected by childbirth.
- Identical twin studies offer a unique design to control for genetic and familial factors when assessing parity's impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of childbirth on female sexual function using an identical twin study design.
- To identify specific factors related to childbirth that may influence sexual function.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 542 twin sisters completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12).
- PISQ-12 scores were compared between 29 pairs of identical twins discordant for parity (one sister had given birth, the other had not).
- Multiple linear regression models analyzed the impact of parity, birth mode, episiotomy, and operative delivery on sexual function scores in 276 sexually active twins.
Main Results:
- Nulliparous twins reported significantly higher sexual function scores (P < .001) than parous twins.
- Parity (P < .001) and urge urinary incontinence (P = .009) were independently associated with diminished sexual function in multivariable analysis.
- Mode of delivery, episiotomy, and operative delivery did not significantly affect sexual function scores.
Conclusions:
- Childbirth has a lasting negative impact on female sexual function, with nulliparous women experiencing superior sexual satisfaction.
- The decline in sexual function appears to be influenced more by psychological than physical factors.
- These effects extend well beyond the immediate postpartum period.
Related Concept Videos
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:43Sex Linked Disorders
Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.
01:23Factors Influencing Attraction III: Similarity
The similarity hypothesis suggests that individuals are more likely to form relationships with others who share similar attitudes, beliefs, values, and interests. This concept has been widely studied in social psychology, demonstrating that perceived similarity fosters interpersonal attraction. In an experiment supporting this hypothesis, participants were presented with fabricated information indicating that strangers held attitudes similar to their own. The results showed that participants...
01:21Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Physical attractiveness plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal attraction, influencing first impressions, social interactions, and long-term relationship dynamics. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that attractiveness affects social evaluations and behavioral outcomes in various contexts.Influence on Social InteractionsResearch has shown that individuals perceived as physically attractive often experience preferential treatment in social and professional settings. One...
02:02Meiosis II
Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
01:57Meiosis II
Meiosis II is the second and final stage of meiosis. It relies on the haploid cells produced during meiosis I, each of which contain only 23 chromosomes—one from each homologous initial pair. Importantly, each chromosome in these cells is composed of two joined copies, and when these cells enter meiosis II, the goal is to separate such sister chromatids using the same microtubule-based network employed in other division processes. The result of meiosis II is two haploid cells, each containing...