Sexual Function and Related Factors in Lactating Women with Decreased Sexual Desire referred to Sonqor Health Centers in 2018

Various factors such as childbirth and breastfeeding can affect women's sexual function, it is important to know about sexual problems and related factors in the postpartum period. This study was performed with aim to determine the factors related to sexual function of lactating women with decreased sexual desire.

This descriptive study was performed in 2018 on 104 lactating women at 2-6 months postpartum with decreased sexual desire in Sonqor health centers. Data collection tools included demographic and midwifery questionnaire, Decreased Sexual Desire Screener (DSDS) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24) and Mann-Whitney test, Pearson correlation coefficient, mean and standard deviation. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results of Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant inverse correlation between age and total score of sexual function, sexual desire, sexual arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction (P <0.05). There was also a significant inverse correlation between the number of pregnancies with sexual desire and sexual arousal (P <0.05) and between the number of live children with sexual desire (P <0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between sexual function with marriage age, infant's age, the interval between recent pregnancies and income (P >0.05).

Age, number of pregnancies and number of live children are inversely correlated with sexual function, so that the score of sexual function decreases with increase in age, the number of pregnancies and the number of live child. There was no statistically significant correlation between sexual function with marriage age, infant's age, the interval between recent pregnancies and income.