Long-term postpartum effect of severe maternal morbidity on sexual function

• Published in: International journal of psychiatry in medicine Vol. 52; no. 4-6; pp. 328 - 344
• Main Authors: Norhayati, Mohd Noor, Azman Yacob, Mohd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-11-2017; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Length of Stay; Morbidity; Obstetric Labor Complications - psychology; Postpartum depression; Postpartum Period - psychology; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life - psychology; Sexual behavior; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - etiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - psychology; Young Adult; sexual function; severe obstetric complications; severe maternal morbidity; Female Sexual Function Index; prospective double cohort
• ISSN: 0091-2174; 1541-3527
• DOI: 10.1177/0091217417738933

There was limited knowledge on the sexual function in women who have survived severe obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to compare the level of sexual functioning among women with and without severe morbidity at six months postpartum and to identify the factors associated with sexual function scores of women. A prospective double-cohort study design was applied at two tertiary hospitals over a six-month period. Postpartum women with and without severe maternal morbidity were selected as the exposed and the non-exposed group, respectively. The study included 145 exposed and 187 non-exposed women. Those with severe maternal morbidity were significantly (P < 0.001) older (mean (SD): 31.6 years (6.26) vs. 29.2 years (5.65)) and had longer hospital stays (mean (SD): 5.9 days (3.79) vs. 3.6 days (2.23)). They were also more likely to have delivered preterm (75.9 vs. 93.0) and to have had a caesarean section (80.7 vs. 67.9) than those without severe maternal morbidity. After adjusting for age and mental health, there was no significant difference in Female Sexual Function Index scores (P = 0.895) between the two groups. Both groups showed the highest sexual dysfunction in pain and the lowest dysfunction in orgasm. Linear regression analyses showed no association between Female Sexual Function Index scores and sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, or quality of life. Sexual function in women with severe maternal morbidity did not differ from that in women without severe maternal morbidity. In-depth qualitative studies of women who have experienced potentially life-threatening conditions may improve the understanding of their sexual function.