Relationships among feeding type, body image and sexual function during postpartum period
Date Issued
2015
Date
2015
Author(s)
Lee, Yu-Han
Abstract
【Introduction】 Sexual health is an essential part of life quality. Nevertheless, women usually experienced sexual dysfunction due to physical, psychological and social relationship changes after child birth. Genital tract damage, breastfeeding and body image may affect sexual function in the postpartum period. However, some related studies remain inconclusive. And the issue of postpartum sexual dysfunction rarely discussed by health care professionals in Taiwan. 【Aim】 The aims of this study were to explore female sexual function in the three months postpartum period and the relationships with demographic characteristic, physical and psychological status, obstetrical history, body image, and feeding type. 【Methods】 In this cross-sectional study, 618 mothers were recruited from a medical center in northern Taiwan. Self-report questionnaires were provided to study in the three months postpartum. The following three instruments were applied to collect data: “Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)”, “Postpartum Body Image Scale”, and “Physical and psychological status, Demographic, and obstetrical information”. SPSS 19.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data. The statistical methods include descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Pearson''s chi-squared test, independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance H test, Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic regression. 【Results】 The results showed 69.26% of those women experienced sexual dysfunction in the three months postpartum period. Older age (OR=1.054，95% CI=1.007－1.102), and exclusive breastfeeding in comparison to completely formula feeding (OR=1.872，95% CI=1.112-3.152) were two risk factors of sexual dysfunction. While higher body image score (OR=0.945，95% CI=0.917－0.975) was the protective factor of sexual dysfunction. The results also demonstrated significant differences in the FSFI total score in terms of body shape evaluations, personal annual incomes, and feeding types. Women who were dissatisfied with their body shape has lower FSFI total score than those who were satisfied (p<0.05). Women whose personal annual incomes belong to “510,000-700,000 (NTD)” group (p=0.16) and “over 700,000” group (p<0.01) made lower FSFI total score than those whose incomes classified into “110,000-500,000 (NTD)” group. Women who employed exclusive breastfeeding in the three month postpartum period have lower desire, lubrication, arousal, orgasm, dyspareunia and total FSFI score than who employed mixed feeding (p<0.01) and completely formula feeding (p<0.01). But we found no significant difference in sexual satisfaction score with different feeding types. 【Conclusion】 This study revealed about 70% women encountered sexual dysfunction during three months postpartum period. Exclusive breastfeeding and body image dissatisfaction imposed negative effect on the sexual function during this period. We suggest health professionals assisting those mothers and their sexual partner to understand the natual sexual function declined due to breastfeeding and body image change. And provide appropriate information to help them cope with sexual dysfunction in the postpartum period. With these supports, they may also promote their sexual health.
Subjects
Postpartum
sexual function
Feeding type
Breastfeeding
Body image.
Type
thesis
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