Observational studyJournal of midwifery & women's health
Predictors of postpartum sexual activity and function in a diverse population of women.
Observational study in Journal of midwifery & women's health. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 50 citations in OpenAlex.
- Pooled it
- The Impact of Mode of Birth, and Episiotomy, on Postpartum Sexual Function in the Medium- and Longer-Term: An Integrative Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Pooled it
- The lived experiences and explanation of women's postpartum sexual and reproductive health: a qualitative study.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- Article
- Determinants of Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction in the First Year: A Systematic Review.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Is 6 Weeks Postpartum Too Late for Contraceptive Counseling in the U.S.? A Look into the Timing of Postpartum Intercourse.Journal of sex research · 2025Article
- The prevalence and persistence of maternal morbidities after first vs. second birth: A prospective cohort study in Ireland.PloS one · 2025Article
- Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding and Maternal Sexuality among Polish Women: A Preliminary Report.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Quality of Life and Sexual Satisfaction in the Early Period of Motherhood-A Cross-Sectional Preliminary Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
- The Effectiveness of Auriculotherapy on Women's Sexual Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Iranian journal of psychiatry · 2022Article
- Relationship Between the Genital Self-Image and the Sexual Quality of Life of Primiparous Women in the Postpartum Period in Heterosexual Couples.International journal of sexual health : official journal of the World Association for Sexual Health · 2022Article
- Article
- Factors Influencing Quality of Life in Early Postpartum Women.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Article
- The meaning of postpartum sexual health for women living in Spain: a phenomenological inquiry.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2021Article
- Relationship of the type of breastfeeding in the sexual function of women.Revista latino-americana de enfermagem · 2021Article
- Non-pharmacological interventions for treating sexual dysfunction in postpartum women: a systematic review protocol.BMJ open · 2019Article
- Relationship between parity and the problems that appear in the postpartum period.Scientific reports · 2019Article
- Changes in Sexual Functioning in Women and Men in the 5 Years After Bariatric Surgery.JAMA surgery · 2019Article
- Article
- Prevalence of and risk factors associated with sexual health issues in primiparous women at 6 and 12 months postpartum; a longitudinal prospective cohort study (the MAMMI study).BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2018Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
introductionThe purpose of this study was to identify predictors of postpartum sexual activity and functioning in a diverse population of women using the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q).
methodsThis was a prospective study of 160 postpartum women assessing relationships between demographic factors, mode of birth, depression, breastfeeding, and sexual activity and function. Questionnaires were administered over the telephone 8 to 10 weeks postpartum and in person 6 to 8 months postpartum. Primary outcomes were sexual activity at 8 to 10 weeks postpartum and global and subscale SHOW-Q scores at 6 to 8 months postpartum; the primary predictor was mode of birth. Associations were assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.
resultsSeventy-five percent of this population (n = 140 at 8-10 weeks, n = 129 at 6-8 months) gave birth vaginally, and 60.7% resumed sexual activity by 8 to 10 weeks postpartum. Only multiparity was associated with increased odds of having resumed sexual activity by 8 to 10 weeks postpartum (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.44; P = .03), whereas older age was associated with decreased odds (aOR, 0.92; P = .02) of having resumed sexual activity. Women who were depressed (effect estimate, -13.3; P = .01), older (-1.1, P = .01), or exclusively breastfeeding (-16.5, P < .001) had significantly poorer sexual satisfaction, whereas multiparous women reported better sexual satisfaction (11.1, P = .03). A significant relationship between mode of birth and SHOW-Q scores did not emerge, although we did observe a trend toward lower SHOW-Q scores among women who underwent cesarean compared with those giving birth vaginally. DISCUSSION: Multiparity and younger age predict early resumption of sexual activity, whereas depression and breastfeeding are associated with poorer postpartum sexual functioning. The relationship between mode of birth and resumed sexual activity or postpartum sexual function remains uncertain.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.