Influence of gestational period on sexual behavior

Various studies in the field of sexual and reproductive health have focused on understanding the relationship between the gestation period and sexual behavior. The majority of such research suggests that during pregnancy, both sexual desire and frequency of sexual relations decrease. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether there are any influences of gestational period on the sexual behavior, and to identify differences in sexual behavior among women before and during pregnancy. A cross-sectional analytic study design was carried out on a sample of 190 women attending the outpatient clinics of Assiut university hospital were consecutively recruited. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to collect socio-demographic data, obstetric history, and information about women's sexual desire and practice of sexual intercourse before and during pregnancy, as well as their perceptions and beliefs. The mean age of women was 26.7 +/- 5.4 years. The results showed that 37.4% of women had better sexual desire during the whole of pregnancy, 47.9% had sexual satisfaction during the second trimester of pregnancy, and 75.7% felt change in sexual intercourse during pregnancy. A considerable proportion (43.7%) believed that sexual intercourse during pregnancy could lead to problems. The number of intercourses before and during pregnancy were positively correlated (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression model revealed that history of abortion was the only statistically significant negative independent predictor of the practice of sexual intercourse during pregnancy. It is recommended that health care providers, especially nurses, should educate and counsel women regarding the safety of sexual intercourse during pregnancy if no medical risk is present.