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.
Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Sexual behavior; Quality of life