Differences in the Sexual Function and Sexual Healthcare Needs of Pregnant Women Who Underwent in Vitro Fertilization and Women Who Conceived Naturally at Each Trimester: A Prospective Cohort Study

Cheng-Yi Huang; Chiou-Fang Liou; Yen-Chiao Lu; Li-Ya Tsai; Tsung-Ho Ying; Ching-Pyng Kuo; Shu Hsin Lee

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2020.08.009

Differences in the Sexual Function and Sexual Healthcare Needs of Pregnant Women Who Underwent in Vitro Fertilization and Women Who Conceived Naturally at Each Trimester: A Prospective Cohort Study

Sex Med. 2020 Dec;8(4):709-717. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.08.009. Epub 2020 Oct 6.

Authors

Cheng-Yi Huang¹, Chiou-Fang Liou¹, Yen-Chiao Lu¹, Li-Ya Tsai¹, Tsung-Ho Ying², Ching-Pyng Kuo³, Shu Hsin Lee⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
² School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
³ School of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: pyng@csmu.edu.tw.
⁴ School of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: shl@csmu.edu.tw.

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility may negatively impact sexual function. Women with fertility problems usually prioritize treatment for infertility, but their sexual function in each trimester of pregnancy is poorly researched.

Aim: To compare the sexual function and sexual healthcare needs of women who underwent successful in vitro fertilization (IVF group) and women who conceived naturally (CN group) during each trimester.

Methods: Longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2016 to July 2018. The IVF group (n = 100) was recruited from a leading reproductive treatment center; the CN group (n = 100), at the prenatal clinic of a medical center in central Taiwan. Questionnaires were mailed to women in the 10th-11th gestational week; 70 women in the IVF group and 75 in the CN group completed all 3 questionnaires, during the 10th-11th, 20th-21st, and 30th-31st gestational weeks.

Main outcome measures: Female Sexual Function Index and Nursing Intervention on Sexual Healthcare needs were compared between groups in each trimester.

Results: Most participants reported sexual dysfunction concerns during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the Female Sexual Function Index score was significantly lower in the IVF group than in the CN group (18.13 ± 6.27 vs 20.34 ± 5.87, respectively; P < .05). Sexual healthcare needs at the permission level were significantly lower in the IVF group than in the CN group (10.78 ± 2.41 vs 11.79 ± 2.67, respectively; P < .05).

Conclusion: The IVF group had lower sexual function in the first trimester than the CN group. Sexual function improved in the second trimester in the IVF group but decreased throughout pregnancy in the CN group. The CN group had a greater need for sexual healthcare nursing intervention at the permission level than the IVF group. Huang C-Y, Liou C-F, Lu Y-C, et al. Differences in the Sexual Function and Sexual Healthcare Needs of Pregnant Women Who Underwent In Vitro Fertilization and Women Who Conceived Naturally at Each Trimester: A Prospective Cohort Study. Sex Med 2020;8:709-717.

Keywords: Cohort Study; Infertility; In Vitro Fertilization; Pregnancy; Sexual Function.