Sexual function of women during pregnancy

Objective. To assess the sexual function of pregnant women in three trimesters of gestation and determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in them. Material and methods. A non-interventional observational prospective single-center study was conducted involving 30 healthy primigravidas aged 18—40 years with stable sexual activity before pregnancy and no pregnancy complications during the study. The assessment tool was the ques-tionnaire «Female Sexual Function Index» (FSFI). The domains of sexual function were assessed: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain, as well as the severity of sexual dys-function. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric methods. Results. As pregnancy progressed, most women maintained sexual activity, but some women ex-perienced decreased libido, orgasm and pain during coitus; in the first trimester, a decrease in li-bido and arousal was noted, in the second — desire, arousal and orgasm, in the third — a decrease in scores for all domains. The overall score demonstrated the dominance of mild and moderate sexual dysfunction. Severe sexual dysfunction was the least common. Conclusion. During pregnancy, a consistent change in sexual function was noted in all trimesters. Developing sexual dysfunction is mainly mild and moderate in severity. Sexological counseling of pregnant women by gynecologists and sexologists is necessary to correct sexual disorders and maintain a favorable psychological and physiological state.