Sexual function in Chinese women from pregnancy to postpartum: a multicenter longitudinal prospective study

Sexual function has played a very important role in women’s quality of life, which is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of physical, mental, emotional and social well-being related to sexuality” [1]. Sexuality is a natural part of human life and a multidimensional concept affected collaboratively by hormonal milieu, psychological, social, interpersonal relationships as well as cultural elements. On the whole, sexual function relatively descends when they are pregnant, which also continuously keeps a low level during the postpartum period for many women. Systematic reviews and qualitative studies have demonstrated that decrease in frequency of desire, satisfaction and sexual intercourse occurs during the third trimester compared with that during the pre-pregnancy period. Furthermore, the duration of intercourse and ability to experience orgasm decline in the later stage of pregnancy compared with that in pre-pregnancy. Meanwhile, the difficulty in having sex during pregnancy increases significantly [2‐4].

Literally speaking, there was a decrease in coital frequency from the first to third trimesters during pregnancy. A considerable number of physical and psychological elements may result in the reduction in having sex. As far as physical changes were concerned, hormonal variation could raise progesterone level, prolactin and estrogen, which were considered to be responsible for symptoms of vomiting, nausea, and breast tenderness. Meanwhile, anxiety, fatigue and dissatisfying body image resulted from weight gain could bring about general malaise and difficulty in self-awareness [2, 5]. Previous researches have demonstrated such emotional responses as “fear of inducing a miscarriage”, “fear of preterm labor”, “fear of the onset of labor”, “fear of bleeding”, and “fear of an infection” [6‐9].

Although there is a lack of large prospective researches, it is generally acknowledged that women frequently have difficulty in sex during the postpartum period. Existing researches have shown a prevalence ranging from 30 to 60% in the first 3 months of postpartum period, falling to 17–31% 6 months after giving birth to a baby [2, 10, 11]. Certain studies have revealed that both mode of delivery, hormonal state, breastfeeding status, and psychosocial variables (fatigue, depression, stress, body image, sleep deprivation, social support, partnership quality, and etc) may contribute to postpartum dysfunction [12‐14].

Longitudinal studies regarding maternal dysfunction with long-term follow-up are scarce, relevant information concerning Chinese women in particular. Researches in nonpregnant women indicated that there was a significant distinction in attitude towards having sex between westerners and Chinese [15]. Regardless of various living environment, Chinese women are relatively more conservative about premarital sex and holding a conventional attitude towards having sex. The limited data in Chinese women regarding this part provides medical workers with little reference. Consequently, we conducted a multicentral longitudinal prospective research to investigate sexuality of Chinese women. The purpose of our research is multifaceted. First, to estimate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in early, middle, late stages of pregnancy, and postpartum 6 months after delivery. Second, to discuss relevant factors associated with female sexual dysfunction among women in 6 months after delivery in Nanjing, Yangzhou and Huaian Main, China.

The online questionnaires including a set of validated tools, socio-demographic data as wells as medical information were employed. The validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), consisting of 19 questions, was used to measure women’s sexual function [16]. The FSFI questionnaire covers six sexual dimensions: lubrication, desire, orgasm, arousal, pain and satisfaction. The FSFI questionnaire was marked with credits ranging from 2 to 36, with higher scores related significantly to better sex function. Participants who scored less than 26.55 were considered to experience female sexual dysfunction (FSD) [17]; The Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale (EPDS) was made to survey depression symptom, which has been confirmed to be sensitive and specific in predicting depression [18]. Answers of scale were based upon psychological status over the past 7 days; Fatigue degree was evaluated on the basis of the multidimensional fatigue inventory-20 (MFI-20) [19]; The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) to estimate social support level is demonstrated, which has been used and verified among different Chinese populations [20]; Body image was investigated through Body Image Self-Consciousness Scale; The visual analogue scale was used to estimate women’s global assessment of partnership quality, with the degree of ranging from 0 to 10: 0 = not satisfied at all, 5 = moderate satisfaction, and 10 = complete satisfaction. Those scales (such as FSFI [21], EPDS [22], MFI-20 [23], SSRS [24], Body-image self-consciousness scale [25], and visual analogue scale [26]) have been validated in mainland China with simplified Chinese language. Meanwhile, data concerning delivery, breastfeeding and other relevant information were acquired from medical records as well as follow-up questionnaires after delivery.

In the meantime, qualitative interviews were conducted during different periods of pregnancy respectively (Table 1). The purpose of this section was to raise open-ended questions so that respondents can elaborate on their personal experiences. Information was collected from semi-structured and in-depth interviews conducted among 39 healthy pregnant women. This qualitative interview came to an end when three consecutive participants were unable to provide any new themes, which demonstrated this qualitative interview had reached a saturation point.

Sexuality is a natural part of human life as well as a multidimensional concept jointly influenced by hormonal milieu, psychological, social, interpersonal relationships and cultural elements [12]. A prospective cross-sectional study of pregnant women conducted in Hong Kong found that vaginal intercourse significantly decreased during the third trimester. In addition to gestation, advanced maternal age and nulliparity were also independent factors related to reduction in vaginal intercourse [9].

In terms of postpartum period, different studies reported inconsistent results. Hipp L. E. et al. [27] have reported that women’s postpartum sexual desire was affected by their perceptions of partner’s postpartum sexuality and individual’s degree of fatigue. Postpartum desire was not significantly affected by vaginal issues, breastfeeding status, or social psychological condition including stress, social support or body image. Shirvani M. A. et al. [28] have found that sexual function had significant association with longer marriage duration, older maternal age, and larger number of children. Mothers disease, neonate problems and tuboligation were related to lower scores of sexual activities. There was no correlation between perineal injuries or mode of delivery. Chang S. R. et al. [13] have investigated that the cesarean birth group had a significant higher prevalence of depression, higher scores of pain, lower sexual satisfaction scores. Jawed-Wessel S. et al. [29] showed that there was significant correlation between the body satisfaction, body image self-consciousness, and female sexual function. According to Faisal-Cury A. et al., [30] such variables as anxiety/ depressive symptoms during both pregnancy and postpartum, previous miscarriage and age of pregnant were independently related to decline in having sex. Wallwiener S.et al. [31] suggested that women who were at the risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction differed significantly in terms of mode of delivery, breastfeeding status, partnership quality, maternal education, and depression condition. A prospective cohort study made by Lagaert L. et al. [14] in Belgium, in the first 6 weeks of postpartum, degree of dyspareunia was significantly related to breastfeeding status and primiparity. Six months after delivery, only the primiparity played a leading role in having sex. A longitudinal prospective study conducted regarding female sexual function prior to pregnancy, at enrollment, and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum in United States of America, which showed that episiotomy or mode of delivery were not associated with intercourse resumption, while dyspareunia was only related to breastfeeding at 12 weeks [11].

The present study investigated sexual function over a period from the first trimester to the third trimester of pregnancy and following up to six-month postpartum participants recruited from Southeast China. Through qualitative interview, we have found the vast majority of women were either sexually inactive or showed FSFI scores indicative for FSD while being assessed at any point from pregnancy to postpartum. There were negative aspects of emotional responses, sexual experiences closely associated with self-perceptions and attitudes toward sexual behavior during pregnancy. Few of them discussed with their doctors concerning this topic before, nor did they mention the subject actively. Interestingly, we also conducted quantitative analyses and found that education level, employment, pre pregnancy BMI, postpartum weight gain and partnership quality were closely associated with postpartum sexual dysfunction 6 months after delivery. With regard to age, monthly income, reproductive history, mode of delivery, breastfeeding characteristics, postnatal depression, social support, body image, sleep quality, pain, and fatigue, no significant statistical differences were found between two groups involved. Although the effect on body image and pain were in the expected direction, there were no statistical significance based upon current information. In addition, we found that pre-pregnancy BMI, postpartum weight gain and partnership quality were the predictors of postpartum sexual dysfunction. In our traditional culture, sex culture is conservative and implicit. Women’s attitudes towards marriage and sex are conservative and restrained. The intimate relationship and understanding of heart are the best lubricants between husband and wife. Consequently, the partnership quality counts. A cross-sectional research involving 223 pregnant women conducted by Ribeiro M C et al. [32] in Brazil demonstrated that there was a negative correlation among pre-pregnancy BMI, mean 3rd trimester, total FSFI scores and orgasm. Overweight women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy had poorer sexual function compared with pregnant women with normal weight [32]. Under the cultural background of slimness as beauty and the second child policy, more and more women pursue slimness. The surge in weight during pregnancy and post-natal body distortion have added heavy blow to women, which also reduce the attraction of wife in husband’s heart to some extent. These results were consistent and inconsistent with the studies mentioned above. This might be ascribed to genetic and environmental backgrounds differences with relevant cultural factors. Possibly, women groups with different inclusion and exclusion criteria may account for our results. On the other hand, we found that FSD prevalence was surprisingly high during pregnancy (100% prevalence during the first trimester, 97.23% the second trimester, 96.21% the third trimester). There was a slight improvement in the postpartum stage (FSD = 64.06%). This may be related to the conservative traditional concept of Chinese women. In their concept of fertility, fetal health was the most important, which maintained the hope of whole family. The first and third trimester were the most dangerous periods, and there should be no relaxation. But in the postpartum, because of the baby’s safe birth and physical recovery, they gradually begin to pay attention to themselves.

As we have seen, our research may be the first relatively comprehensive concerning the potential risk factors of female sexual function in Southeast China during different periods that have been conducted. Meanwhile, our study also had several limitations: First, although participants involved in this research came from multiple centers, the number of samples was relatively small and had no control group. Second, the measurements being employed to make assessment were subjective to a certain extent, which may lead to possible deviation. Third, the FSFI was for women who have been sexually active in the last 4 weeks, some of us population were not suitable. Although we conducted qualitative interview to further elaborate, to some extent, there was still shortcoming. Meanwhile, due to the influence of time and funds, we only studied 6 months after delivery, and failed to conduct longer follow-up.

Findings suggested that women at risk of FSD significantly differed in terms of pre-pregnancy BMI, postpartum weight gain and partnership quality. The impaired sexual function during the period from pregnancy to postpartum indicated the requirement for further survey as well as extensive consultation.