Self-Perception of Sexual Dysfunction of Adult Brazilian Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction (SD) comprises disorders in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and lubrication. The importance of self-perceived SD relies on its relation to personal values, sex education, and partnership. We aimed to analyze the association between self-perceived SD and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in adult women of reproductive age and the correlation between age and sexual function. Material and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 285 women aged 18 to 49 years, sexually active for at least four weeks, cisgender and heterosexual, and with Internet access. Women were divided into control (CG, control group; without SD) or study group (SG, study group; with SD) and responded to a self-applicable online survey containing a sociodemographic characterization, an interview about SD knowledge, and the FSFI test. The Chi-square test of independence (χ2) analyzed the association between self-perceived SD and FSFI-assessed SD. Pearson's correlation coefficient investigated the correlation between age and FSFI. Results: Included women had a mean age of 29.57 years ± 7.11 years. Self-perceived SD showed a moderate association (Cramer's V = 0.590) with the FSFI score (χ2 [2] = 91.500; p < 0.001). A weak, negative, and significant correlation was observed between age and the FSFI desire domain (r = -0.120; p = 0.030; r2 = 1.440). Conclusion: Women with self-perceived SD were 68% more likely to present FSFI-assessed SD. Regarding the FSFI desire domain, sexual function decreased with age.

The influence of gestational trimester, physical activity practice and weight gain on the low back and pelvic pain intensity in low risk pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Low back and pelvic pain in pregnant women is a clinical condition of which the etiology is multifactorial. Thus, various variables can influence the low back and pelvic pain's intensity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the gestational trimester, practice of physical activity and weight gain on the intensity of low back and pelvic pain in low risk pregnant women. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-seven pregnant women participated in this study. The gestational age, body mass index, weight gain, physical activity practice and the low back and pelvic pain were evaluated. RESULTS: We found a significant difference (P= 0.02) in pain intensity, when comparing active and sedentary pregnant women. No significant differences were found when comparing pain intensity between the gestational trimesters (2ndversus 3rd; P= 0.60). There was no significant relation between the weight gain and pain intensity (r= 0.03 |P= 0.28). The multivariate analysis indicated that sedentary pregnant women have a higher risk (P= 0.001) of intense pain and the pain is not influenced by the weight gain (P= 0.08) and the gestational trimester (P= 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary pregnant women have 30% more chances to have higher pain intensities when compared to the active women, regardless of the gestational trimester and weight gain.

Mat Pilates and aquatic aerobic exercises for women with fibromyalgia: a protocol for a randomised controlled blind study.

INTRODUCTION: Physical exercises have been recommended to improve the overall well-being of patients with fibromyalgia, with the main objective of repairing the effects of lack of physical conditioning and of improving the symptoms, especially pain and fatigue. Although widely recommended and widely known, few studies support the use of Pilates as an effective method in improving the symptoms of the disease, comparing it with other well-founded exercise modalities. This protocol was developed to describe the design of a randomised controlled study with a blind evaluator that evaluates the effectiveness of mat Pilates, comparing it with aquatic aerobic exercises, in improving pain in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Sixty women aged 18-60 years with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, with a score of between 3 and 8 points on the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, and who sign the clear and informed consent form will be recruited according to the inclusion criteria. They will be randomised into one of the two intervention groups: (1) Pilates, to perform an exercise programme based on mat Pilates; and (2) aquatic exercise, to participate in a programme of aerobic exercises in the swimming pool. The protocol will correspond to 12 weeks of treatment, with both groups performing the exercises with supervision twice a week. The primary outcome will be pain (Visual Analogue Scale for pain). The secondary outcomes are to include impact related to the disease, functional capacity, sleep quality and overall quality of life. The evaluations will be performed at three points: at baseline and after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of FACISA/UFRN (number: 2.116.314). Data collection will begin after approval by the ethics committee. There will be prior contact with the women, at which time all the information about the study and the objectives will be presented, as well as resolution no 466/2012 of the National Health Council of Brazil for the year 2012, which provides guidelines and regulatory standards for research involving human beings. Participants must sign the informed consent form before the study begins. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03149198.

[Comparison of quality of life in women with sexual dysfunction]. / Comparação da qualidade de vida em gestantes com disfunção sexual.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between sexual function and quality of life in pregnant women living in two cities of Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 207 pregnant women. The data were collected through a questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic, gynecological and obstetrical data, body and sexual knowledge. Quality of life was assessed by applying the Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI Ferrans and Power). Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF). Data were statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: The pregnant women studied had a median age of 30 years (quartile 26-33 years) and were approximately at the 26th gestational week. A significant decrease in the monthly frequency of sexual relations of the couple was observed, with a median of 12 to 4 times per month (Z=-10.56; p<0.001). Sexual dysfunction was detected in 35.7% of the pregnant women studied, whose quality of life was lower when compared to women with unchanged sexual function (Z=-2.9; p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that sexual dysfunction negatively affected the quality of life of pregnant women, and this should be an important aspect for review during prenatal consultations.