What happens to sexuality of women during lactation period? A study from Iran

ABSTRACT

To compare the association of sexual activity and breastfeeding women within 2-6 months after child birth. This study was carried out in 2007. The sexual activity of 258 breastfeeding women was compared with 198 bottle-feeding women referred to a public maternity health care center in Tehran. Women in the age of 20-35 years were enrolled in the study after their first or second child and 2-6 months after birth. A self-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Women were interviewed face-to-face by the first author. Of 456 respondents, 258 were currently breastfeeding and 198 were bottle feeding. Mean age of the mothers was 27 +/- 4.7 years. About 28.3% of breastfeeding women and 22.9% of non breastfeeding women had sexual intercourse within one month of postpartum period. No significant difference was found between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding women on sexual desire and satisfaction before pregnancy and in postpartum period [p 0.1, p 0.5].The orgasm experience did not have a significant difference between the two groups during postpartum [p 0.4]. We did not find significant difference in sexual activity between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women. Sexual history taking and counseling in antenatal class as well as postpartum period are suggested for the clients