The Relationship Between Sexual Function, Body Image and Body Mass Index Among Pregnant Women
Nülüfer Erbil (TR)
[Erbil] Ordu University, Faculty of Health Sciences
Context: Body image and sexuality are shaped by intrapersonal, interpersonal and social experiences. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sexual function, body mass index and body image among pregnant women. Method: The descriptive and cross-sectional study. Participants: A total of 179 volunteer pregnant women who admitted to the antenatal policlinics were included in this study. Interventions: The data was collected via a questionnaire form and Turkish version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Body Image Scale (BIS). Main outcome measures: Descriptive statistics, t test, One Way ANOVA test, Pearson correlation test were used for evaluation of data. Results: It was determined that 88.8% of participants had sexual dysfunction. 62% of pregnant women was in third trimester. The FSFI and domains scores was highest in the first trimester. The mean of the total FSFI score was 15.67(SD 9.14, range 2.60–32.80). Body image of 68.7% of pregnant women was in good level (BIS 136 points and higher). The mean of the BIS score was 141.55 (SD 19.87, range 79-198). The mean of the body mass index in pregnant women (BMI) was 26.70 (SD 4.75, range 16.94–43.29). Of the six sexual function parameters, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain and FSFI total did not correlate with BIS, while desire did (p=0.004). Orgasm (p=0.011), satisfaction ( p= 0.001), pain (p=0.014) from its subscales and total FSFI (p=0.016) correlated BMI scores of pregnant women. In according to BMI groups of pregnant women were observed significant difference in FSFI scores (p=.006), but BIS scores were not (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sexual functions among pregnant women were negatively effected. Overweight and obese based on BMI among pregnant women had a negative effect on them sexual function, but had no effected on pregnant woman’s body image.