ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2024
Sexual health after childbirth in Dutch women: prevalence, associated factors and perceived need for information: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Low sexual desire in postpartum women: associations with psychosocial factors and sexual function.Sexual medicine · 2026Article
- Article
- Risk-Stratified Screening for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety: Integrating Sexual Function, Self-Esteem, and Psychosocial Context.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Postpartum sexual dysfunction in resource-limited settings: a cross-sectional study of maternal sexual health.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Sexual dysfunction during the late postpartum period: prevalence and associated factors.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Article
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7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAfter childbirth, women often experience changes in sexual health. Little is known about the associated factors for the development of sexual health problems. Therefore, in this study we aim to investigate (1) how many women report changes in sexual health; (2) the prevalence and associated factors of women's postpartum sexual health problems and (3) whether women want to be better informed about postpartum sexual health after childbirth.
methodsFrom March to May 2021, 641 postpartum Dutch women participated in a cross-sectional study through an online survey, distributed via social media. At a mean time of 11.6 months (SD = 6.23) after birth, women reported information on maternal, pregnancy and childbirth characteristics and childbirth experience, sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index), sexual distress (Female Sexual Distress Scale), relationship satisfaction (Relationship Assessment Scale) and "perceived need for information" to discuss sexual health with their maternity care provider.
resultsPostpartum changes in sexual health were found in 88% of women. Of the women who participated, 43.7% reported sexual dysfunction and 52.3% reported sexual distress. Overall, 46% of women perceived more need for information. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that negative sexual experiences were associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction (odds ratio (OR) 1.58, 95% CI 1.04-2.40) and sexual distress (OR 1.70, 1.17-2.46). Perineal damage (OR 1.54, 1.03-2.29) was associated with increased odds of sexual dysfunction, and a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m
conclusionSexual health problems are experienced by half of postpartum women. Midwives should inform women and their partners about these possible problems, taking into account birth-related factors, e.g. birth experience and perineal damage. Care providers should pay special attention to women with negative sexual experiences.
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