Sexual Activity and Attitudes as Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction During Pregnancy: A Multi-Level Model Describing the Sexuality of Couples in the First 12 Weeks.

The sexual satisfaction of couples during pregnancy is an under-researched area of study. Several limitations exist within the current literature, including a lack of inquiry into attitudes about sex during pregnancy, analysis of the relationship between sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors, and analysis of dyadic interactions within the couple. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships between attitudes toward having sex during pregnancy, various sexual behaviors, and sexual satisfaction among expectant couples via multilevel structural equation modeling. Recruitment focused on mixed-gender monogamous couples where the pregnant individual was between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation, and both partners were soon-to-be first time parents. Touching, hugging, or holding, kissing, vaginal and oral sex, and rubbing each other's genitals were all common behaviors among the 116 couples in the current investigation. Anal sex and sex toy use were less common, but far from absent. According to our model, attitudes toward having sex during pregnancy significantly predicted sexual satisfaction by operating through specific sexual behaviors: kissing, vaginal fingering, and vaginal intercourse, while use of a toy alone and use of a toy with partner were independent predictors of sexual satisfaction. Gender had a direct relationship with satisfaction (men were more satisfied), as well as indirect relationship with satisfaction through an interaction with vaginal fingering and use of a sex toy alone. While multiple past month sexual behaviors were likely to increase satisfaction among pregnant and non-expectant couples alike, this improvement might depend on which behaviors are included and the gender of the individual.

The Impact of Pregnancy and Childbirth on Sexual Behaviors: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this review was to examine and synthesize the available quality evidence to provide researchers, educators, and clinicians an overview of what is known about sexual behaviors during pregnancy and the year after childbirth. Search engines were used to identify peer-reviewed, English-language articles that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 56 prospective, retrospective, and qualitative studies published after 1996 were reviewed. A gradual decline in vaginal intercourse from prepregnancy to first trimester to third trimester was found. Most couples resume vaginal intercourse by eight weeks after childbirth, but this behavior does not occur at prepregnancy frequencies until closer to 12 months postchildbirth. Future studies should consider assessing sexual behaviors beyond vaginal intercourse and increase efforts in recruitment of diverse samples including non-White, nonheterosexual pregnant individuals, and partners of pregnant individuals.

The Relationship Between Body Image, Female Genital Self-Image, and Sexual Function Among First-Time Mothers.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the extent to which perceived changes in weight, body satisfaction, body-image self-consciousness, and genital self-image could be used to predict sexual function scores. A total of 168 primiparous women completed the cross-sectional, web-based survey. Significant correlations were found between body satisfaction, body-image self-consciousness, and female genital self-image and sexual function. Multivariate regression analysis suggests body image and genital self-image combined account for 14.1% of the variance in overall sexual function. Women should have opportunities to discuss body changes throughout pregnancy.

Development and Validation of the Maternal and Partner Sex During Pregnancy Scales.

Little is known about current attitudes in the United States toward having sex during pregnancy. It is possible that pregnant women and their sexual partners hold beliefs and have feelings during this time that might lead to sexual and relational distress. Two new scales, Maternal Sex During Pregnancy and Partner Sex During Pregnancy, were developed and administered to 112 newly pregnant couples. The scales demonstrated strong reliability and validity. Attitudes and beliefs varied across the sample, but the scores did not significantly differ between partners. These scales allow clinicians to support healthy sexuality during pregnancy by understanding sources of anxiety and possible misconceptions.

The Sexual Function Questionnaire's Medical Impact Scale (SFQ-MIS): validation among a sample of first-time mothers.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in sexual function can be difficult to capture, especially when an attempt is made to assess the effects of pregnancy or childbirth on the sexual function of first-time mothers. Commonly used sexual function measures are limited and fail to account for pregnancy or birth in assessment of function. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of the Sexual Function Questionnaire Medical Impact Scale (SFQ-MIS) in assessing impact of childbirth on sexual function among first-time mothers with infants aged one year or younger. METHODS: A total of 255 women completed a cross-sectional, web-based survey. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to assess the factor structure of the SFQ-MIS scores in this sample. Variations in SFQ-MIS scores based upon participant characteristics were conducted to further evaluate the SFQ-MIS scores. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SFQ-MIS score was the primary measure of interest. Factors related to pregnancy and childbirth, such as mode of delivery, infant date of birth, last menstrual period, need for an episiotomy or perineal stitches, breastfeeding status, and score on the Perceived Stress Scale, were also assessed in order to further evaluate the validity and predictive capacity of the SFQ-MIS. RESULTS: Results indicated one factor that accounted for 58.27% of the variance in impact on sexual function due to childbirth. Cronbach's α coefficient for all five items was acceptable (0.82). Women who were breastfeeding (P<0.05), those who had received perineal stitches after a vaginal delivery (P<0.05), and those who reported no sexual activity in the past month (P < 0.001) experienced significantly greater impact than those who were not breastfeeding, those who had not required stitches, and those who had been sexually active in the past month. CONCLUSION: The SFQ-MIS appears to be a useful and valid indicator of changes in sexual function following childbirth, such as those related to arousal, desire, and orgasm.

The sexual consumer: characteristics, expectations, and experiences of women attending in-home sex toy parties.

Sexuality education efforts tend to focus on adolescents and risk-reduction strategies. Outside of clinical settings, there are few sexuality education opportunities focusing on enhancing the sexual lives (e.g., desire, arousal, orgasm) of adult women in long-term monogamous relationships. In-home sex toy parties may enrich women's sexual experiences by providing attendees with an opportunity to learn in a nontraditional setting. In the present study, more than 2,500 party attendees were surveyed regarding their party experience and sexual history. Participants reported high scores on the Female Sexual Function Index with repeat attendees scoring significantly higher than their counterparts. Recommendations are discussed regarding the use of parties as a source for sexuality information distribution and screening for therapeutic referrals.

An event-level analysis of adding exogenous lubricant to condoms in a sample of men who have vaginal sex with women.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the characteristics of sexual events during which individuals choose to use lubricant with condoms. AIMS: The aims of this article were to evaluate the determinants of adding lubricant to condoms during baseline and at the event level, to assess the event-level variables' influence on adding lubricants to condoms, and to assess the event-level influence of using condoms with lubricant on event-level condom attitudes. METHODS: A total of 1,874 men completed a 30-day Internet-based prospective daily diary study of sexual behavior and condom use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline data included demographic variables and information about condom education. Daily diary data included reports of penile-vaginal sex regarding intercourse duration, intercourse intensity, intoxication level, condom application method, partner contraceptive method, and partner and relationship characteristics. RESULTS: Lubricant was added to 24.3% of the study-provided condoms and 26.2% of the condoms selected by study participants. Those with more education and those who were married were more likely to add lubrication to condoms. Adding lubricant to condoms, a female partner putting the condom on with her hands and using contraception, and the event occurring with a wife (vs. girlfriend) was significantly associated with longer intercourse. Event-level lubricant and condom use significantly predicted lower willingness to buy the condom it was used with, as well as to recommend the condom. Adding exogenous lubricant was not related to the participants' confidence in condoms as a method to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. CONCLUSIONS: The event-level nature of this study provided for a more comprehensive assessment of the situational factors that are associated with applying lubricant to condoms. Findings from this study suggest that men are adding lubricant to condoms for reasons other than to increase condom efficacy.