Prevalence and severity of sexual disorders in the third trimester of pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Female sexual function in pregnancy is an under-investigated topic by care providers. This study aimed to investigate the sexual function and the impact of traditional risk factors for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) during the third trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in eight hospitals in Italy and Italian-speaking Switzerland. Women at the third trimester of pregnancy aged 18 years and over completed the Italian- PFQPP questionnaire anonymously. RESULTS: Overall, 927 patients in the third trimester of pregnancy answered the questionnaire. About 29.5% of women reported reduced or absent sexual activity. The less reported symptom was coital incontinence (1.3%), while painful intercourses was the most frequent one (50.3%). Nicotine abuse was associated with traumatic sexual intercourses, impaired vaginal sensibility, and negative impact on sexual life and well-being. Familiarity for pelvic floor disorder resulted as a risk factor for coital incontinence (OR=3.61). CONCLUSIONS: Sexual symptoms, with pain during intercourses being the most widely reported, are extremely common in the third trimester of pregnancy and can greatly affect quality of life. Familiarity for pelvic floor disorders and nicotine abuse resulted as significant risk factors for at least one sexual symptom.