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Depressive Symptoms as a Predictor of Sexual Function during Pregnancy
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 08/17/2012
Chang SR et al. – The present study revealed that depressive symptom scores during early and late pregnancy were significant negative predictors of sexual function during pregnancy.
Methods- Pregnant women undergoing prenatal examinations were randomly selected for this cross-sectional investigation.
- The study included 555 pregnant women who completed the Taiwanese versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), FSFI, and a demographic questionnaire during pregnancy.
- CES-D scores for depressive symptoms, scores for overall sexual function on the FSFI, and the FSFI domains: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
- After adjusting for demographic factors, CES-D scores during the first trimester negatively predicted overall sexual function (P=0.0004), arousal (P=0.0104), lubrication (P=0.0016), orgasm (P=0.0022), and pain (P<0.0001).
- Moreover, CES-D scores during the third trimester negatively predicted sexual desire (P=0.0005) and satisfaction (P<0.0001).
- Furthermore, gestational age negatively predicted overall sexual function, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain (all P<0.0001).
- Parity was a positive predictor of overall sexual function, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm (all P<0.0005).
- Medical conditions were positive predictors of sexual desire (P=0.0023).
