Effects of sexual health education during pregnancy on sexual myths, sexual function, and quality of sexual life: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sexual health training on sexual myths, sexual function, and the quality of sexual life among pregnant women. METHODS: The study employed a pretest-posttest design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 45) or the control group (n = 45). Both groups completed a sociodemographic data form, a questionnaire on myths about sexual activity during pregnancy, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 27.58 ± 5.36 years, and the mean gestational age was 35.14 ± 5.52 weeks. After receiving sexual health training, women in the intervention group showed an increase in their SQOL-F scores and a decrease in their belief in sexual myths (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding educational level, desire for the current pregnancy, and the frequency of sexual intercourse before and during pregnancy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The sexual function of the participants was found to be inadequate. However, after receiving sexual health/reproductive health training, their sexual quality of life and sexual function scores increased. Furthermore, their attitudes towards sexual myths significantly changed in a positive direction. These findings indicate the importance of sexual health/reproductive health training during pregnancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials NCT06735677. Date of registration 11.12.2024 (Retrospectively registered).