Female sexual dysfunction across the three pregnancy trimesters: an Egyptian study

Background Pregnancy is a special period in the life of women characterised by physical, hormonal and psychological changes that, in conjugation with social and cultural influences, could affect women's sexuality as well as couples' sexual relationships. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among the three pregnancy trimesters.

A total of 300 healthy heterosexual pregnant Egyptian women with stable marital relationships were included. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used as a standard method for measuring female sexual function in each pregnancy trimester.

There was no significant relationship between FSD and women's education, work, gravidity and parity. The incidence of FSD demonstrated significant alterations throughout pregnancy, being 68% in the first trimester, decreasing in the second trimester to 51% and increasing to 72% in the third trimester. Sexual desire decreased in the first trimester, was variable in the second trimester and decreased at the end of the third trimester (3.5±1.2, 3.7±1.2 and 3.4±1.1 respectively). Sexual satisfaction declined significantly in the first trimester compared with the second and the third trimesters (4.2±1.1, 4.8±0.8 and 4.6±1.0 respectively). Scores for the arousal, lubrication and orgasm domains were significantly decreased in the third trimester, where pain was increased in the second trimester compared with the first and third trimesters.

Female sexual function is affected during pregnancy, with a significant change in all Female Sexual Function Index domains, especially in the first and third trimesters.