The Survey of Circumcision’s Effect on Sexual Function, Sexual Satisfaction and Quality of Sexual Life in Pregnant Women

Female circumcision can be associated with unfavorable health outcomes, including physical, psychological, social, and sexual consequences. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of circumcision and its predictor factors on sexual performance, life, and satisfaction of women.

The present study was a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study of 320 women referred to the childbirth ward in 2019-2020. It was done using the available sampling method. Information was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data collection tool was a 4-part questionnaire that included a researcher-made questionnaire, sexual questionnaires, and sexual quality of life. After collecting the data, they were analyzed using ANCOVA, a simple and multiple linear regression.

The mean score of sexual satisfaction, sexual function, and quality of sexual life in two groups (circumcised and uncircumcised women) showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Also, the mean score in all dimensions of sexual function was significant in two groups (desire (P < 0.001), stimulation (P < 0.001), humidity (P < 0.001), orgasm (P = 0.002), satisfaction (P < 0.001), pain (P = 0.049), respectively). The rate of sexual dysfunction in circumcised women was 83.9%, and in uncircumcised women was 71.6%. According to the coefficient effect in covariance analysis, 5, 7, and 13% changes in sexual satisfaction, sexual quality of life, and sexual function in women were related to circumcision, respectively. Also, the age of circumcision has the most outstanding effect and is a significant predictor of sexual satisfaction (β: 1.51; P: 0.018; CI95%: 2.77 to 0.26) and quality of sexual life (P: 0.027; CI95%: 0.12 to 2.06). The degree of circumcision 2 compared to 1 has the most distinguished effect and predictor on the overall sexual function score (β: 2.87; P: 0.018; CI95%: -0.22 to -5.52) and its dimensions.

The findings of the present study showed a decrease in the sexual satisfaction action and quality of life scores in circumcised women, and by emphasizing the negative consequences of circumcised women's sexual health, it tried to inform healthcare providers about counseling to change the views of families to improve women's sexual health.