Payesh (Oct 2004)
Sexual behavior during pregnancy: A descriptive study of pregnant women in Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Objective(s): To study the sexual behavior during pregnancy and factors that affecting it. Methods: 120 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling from those attending. AL-Zahra medical center in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire covering personal and social characteristics, parity and gynecologic history. It contained 15 questions on factors influencing sexual behavior, 5 questions related to the variations in the nature of sexual intercourse during the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy (Libido, number of sexual contacts, love-making positions and feelings of inconvenience during and after coitus). The data were analyzed using the SPSS-10 program. Results: The findings showed that 10.7% of women in the 1st trimester, 15.2% in the 2nd and 20.6% in the 3rd trimesters had experienced dyspareunia. 18.5% of women in the first trimester, 18.3% in the 2nd trimester, and 33.2% in the 3rd trimester had complaints of stomachache and backache during intercourse. 17.7% women in the 1st trimester, 24.3% in the 2nd trimester, and 23% in the 3rd trimester suffered from stomachache and backache after intercourse. The results of Chi-square tests showed a significant association between parity and the following set of symptoms: Feeling of guilt, dyspareunia (P=0.004), fear of pre-term labor and dyspareunia (P=0.04), parity and post-coital stomachache and backache (P=0.01), dyspareunia and post-coital vaginal irritation (P=0.03) in the 1st trimester. Conclusion: The results suggest a real need for sex education among couples. It seems that most of sexual problems are preventable through education.
