Sexual Function and Satisfaction among Breastfeeding Women in Ardabil in 2019

 Women’s sexual function and satisfaction is often ignored by health professionals in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods. The aim of this study was to determine the status of sexual function and satisfaction in lactating women in Ardabil in 2019.

 An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on 371 lactating women attended in health care centers of Ardabil city in 2019 (from July 5 to the end of December). Health centers were selected by cluster-stratified sampling method. Then, convenience sampling approach was used to recruit the eligible lactating women from fourth week to 6 months after delivery. Data collection scales were three questionnaires (demographic, Rosen's sexual function and Hudson's sexual satisfaction) which were completed by a trained health expert or midwife in the center. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 at significance level of p<0.05.

 The mean total score of sexual function was 21.73±3.99. Pain (1.87±93) and satisfaction (4.99±1.13) dimensions had the lowest and highest scores, respectively. There was a direct and significant correlation (r=0.000, p=0.613) between women’s sexual function and satisfaction. There was a statistically significant relationship between the variables of women's age (p=0.022), women's education (p=0.006) and husband’s income (p=0.011) with women's sexual function and between the variables of woman's age (p=0.000), husband's age (p=0.021), husband's income (p=0.000), number of births (p=0.011) and having a private room (p=0.027) with sexual satisfaction of lactating women in 4 weeks to 6 months after birth.

 Besides sexual satisfaction, the majority of lactating women were suspected to have sexual dysfunction. It seems that more attention should be given to sexual health in the lactating women by health providers and physicians.