The effect of sexual health counseling on women’s sexual satisfaction in postpartum period: A randomized clinical trial

Maryam Zamani, Robab Latifnejad Roudsari, Maryam Moradi, Habibollah Esmaily

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Many couples experience decreasing sexual satisfaction in postpartum period. Various sexual health counseling approaches have been designed for postpartum women to address their common sexual concerns and problems. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Women’s Postpartum Sexual Health Program (WPSHP) on women’s sexual satisfaction in postpartum period. Materials and Methods: The study was a single blind randomized clinical trial on 75 postpartum women aged 18-35 yr with low sexual satisfaction who attended urban health-care centres in Mashhad, Iran in 2016. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. The intervention group received counselling based on the WPSHP, a four-session, group- and couples-based program. The control group just received postpartum routine care. Results: Both the intervention and control groups were homogeneous for demographic variables. According to the Mann-Whitney test, sexual satisfaction score in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group 8 weeks after the intervention (p < 0.001). According to the Wilcoxon test, there was a significant difference in the mean score of sexual satisfaction before and after intervention in the intervention group (p <0.001). Conclusion: WPSHP caused higher levels of sexual satisfaction. It is therefore recommended to use this program in women during the postpartum period to promote their sexual satisfaction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-50
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • Postpartum
  • Sexual counseling
  • Sexual health
  • Sexual satisfaction

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