The effect of sexual health counseling on women’s sexual satisfaction in postpartum period: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Many couples experience decreasing sexual satisfaction in postpartum period. Various sexual health counseling approaches have been designed for postpartum women to address their common sexual concerns and problems.


Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Women’s Postpartum Sexual Health Program (WPSHP) on women’s sexual satisfaction in postpartum period.


Materials and Methods: The study was a single blind randomized clinical trial on 75 postpartum women aged 18–35 yr with low sexual satisfaction who attended urban health-care centres in Mashhad, Iran in 2016. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. The intervention group received counselling based on the WPSHP, a four-session, group- and couples-based program. The control group  just received postpartum routine care.


Results: Both the intervention and control groups were homogeneous for demographic variables. According to the Mann-Whitney test, sexual satisfaction score in the  intervention group was significantly higher than the control group 8 weeks after the intervention (p < 0.001). According to the Wilcoxon test, there was a significant difference in the mean score of sexual satisfaction before and after intervention in the intervention group (p < 0.001).


Conclusion: WPSHP caused higher levels of sexual satisfaction. It is therefore recommended to use this program in women during the postpartum period to promote their sexual satisfaction.


Key words: Sexual satisfaction, Sexual counseling, Sexual health, Postpartum.

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