Page 96 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, Boštjan Žvanut, eds. 2017. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije ▪︎ Health of the Working-Age Population. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 96
avje delovno aktivne populacije | health of the working-age population 94 It also depends on successful attainment of the maternal role, on the ability to
balance the maternal identity with the sexual identity and on the socio-cultur-
al background, sexual habits of the couple before pregnancy and their emo-
tional state (Barrett et al., 2000; Rezaee and Kinsberg, 2012; Trutnovsky, 2006)
Safe and satisfactory sex life is a basic human right (WHO, 2005). The
childbearing period is a very vulnerable time in the sex life of a woman or a
couple. Generally, sexual activity and intimacy significantly decrease during
pregnancy, which can last up to several months after childbirth (Lee and Yen,
2007; Rezaee and Kinsberg, 2012; Boyd et al., 2013). Sexuality after childbirth
includes much more than just a physical act of stimulating the genitalia. Hor-
monal changes during pregnancy affect the physical wellbeing and the mood
of a pregnant woman and therefore the sex life of a couple (Trutnovsky et al.,
2006). Avery et al. (2000) concluded that the desire for sexual intercourse be-
tween partners decreases after childbirth. Many couples begin with sexual in-
tercourse in the first three weeks after childbirth, mostly on the male initia-
tive, although doctors recommend sexual intercourse as late as after 6 weeks
postpartum. Hormones related to breastfeeding may cause greater dryness of
the vagina and consequently lower libido (Barrett et al., 2000). Dyspareunia
and perineal pain account for common sensations accompanying women af-
ter childbirth and generally reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse be-
tween partners. Previous studies (Pacey, 2004; Barrett et al., 2000) write about
a decrease in sexual activity during pregnancy; it being almost non-existent in
the immediate postpartum period and then steadily increasing throughout the
first year after childbirth when its frequency is approximately the same as in
the time before pregnancy. In many respects, sexual function changes the most
after childbirth (Pacey, 2004). Trutnovsky et al. (2006) in their research noted
down the following factors that contribute to low sexual activity: sleep depri-
vation, stress, exhaustion, overload with the newborn care, dyspareunia and
breastfeeding. During the postpartum period, sexual health problems in wom-
en are common. Many experience lower libido and decreased vaginal lubrica-
tion and frequently have shorter and weaker orgasms. Rathfisch et al. (2010)
conducted a study that included healthy pregnant women with low level of risk
that expected to have a vaginal delivery after 38 weeks gestation. Out of 165
women invited to a postnatal check-up 3 months after childbirth, 55 attend-
ed. There was a careful gynaecological examination and examination of the
perineum, performed always by the same gynaecologist, followed by a 20-min-
ute interview with each woman individually. The aim of the researchers was to
compare sex lives of those women before and after childbirth. The findings re-
vealed that women who experienced any perineal trauma, namely episiotomy
or rupture, had lower libido, orgasm and sexual satisfaction and experienced
more pain during sexual intercourse. Presence of at least one sexual problem
(lower libido, decreased sexual arousal, decreased vaginal lubrication, reduced
frequency of orgasm, dissatisfaction with sex life and dyspareunia) was statisti-
cally significantly more common after childbirth (Rathfisch et al., 2010).
balance the maternal identity with the sexual identity and on the socio-cultur-
al background, sexual habits of the couple before pregnancy and their emo-
tional state (Barrett et al., 2000; Rezaee and Kinsberg, 2012; Trutnovsky, 2006)
Safe and satisfactory sex life is a basic human right (WHO, 2005). The
childbearing period is a very vulnerable time in the sex life of a woman or a
couple. Generally, sexual activity and intimacy significantly decrease during
pregnancy, which can last up to several months after childbirth (Lee and Yen,
2007; Rezaee and Kinsberg, 2012; Boyd et al., 2013). Sexuality after childbirth
includes much more than just a physical act of stimulating the genitalia. Hor-
monal changes during pregnancy affect the physical wellbeing and the mood
of a pregnant woman and therefore the sex life of a couple (Trutnovsky et al.,
2006). Avery et al. (2000) concluded that the desire for sexual intercourse be-
tween partners decreases after childbirth. Many couples begin with sexual in-
tercourse in the first three weeks after childbirth, mostly on the male initia-
tive, although doctors recommend sexual intercourse as late as after 6 weeks
postpartum. Hormones related to breastfeeding may cause greater dryness of
the vagina and consequently lower libido (Barrett et al., 2000). Dyspareunia
and perineal pain account for common sensations accompanying women af-
ter childbirth and generally reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse be-
tween partners. Previous studies (Pacey, 2004; Barrett et al., 2000) write about
a decrease in sexual activity during pregnancy; it being almost non-existent in
the immediate postpartum period and then steadily increasing throughout the
first year after childbirth when its frequency is approximately the same as in
the time before pregnancy. In many respects, sexual function changes the most
after childbirth (Pacey, 2004). Trutnovsky et al. (2006) in their research noted
down the following factors that contribute to low sexual activity: sleep depri-
vation, stress, exhaustion, overload with the newborn care, dyspareunia and
breastfeeding. During the postpartum period, sexual health problems in wom-
en are common. Many experience lower libido and decreased vaginal lubrica-
tion and frequently have shorter and weaker orgasms. Rathfisch et al. (2010)
conducted a study that included healthy pregnant women with low level of risk
that expected to have a vaginal delivery after 38 weeks gestation. Out of 165
women invited to a postnatal check-up 3 months after childbirth, 55 attend-
ed. There was a careful gynaecological examination and examination of the
perineum, performed always by the same gynaecologist, followed by a 20-min-
ute interview with each woman individually. The aim of the researchers was to
compare sex lives of those women before and after childbirth. The findings re-
vealed that women who experienced any perineal trauma, namely episiotomy
or rupture, had lower libido, orgasm and sexual satisfaction and experienced
more pain during sexual intercourse. Presence of at least one sexual problem
(lower libido, decreased sexual arousal, decreased vaginal lubrication, reduced
frequency of orgasm, dissatisfaction with sex life and dyspareunia) was statisti-
cally significantly more common after childbirth (Rathfisch et al., 2010).
