Abstract
BackgroundSexual dysfunction can have a negative impact on women’s quality of life and relationships. There is limited information about female sexual function and treatment, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on sexual function (SF) has not been studied adequately. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of antenatal PFME on female SF during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth.Methods/designThis is a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial which will compare a structured antenatal PFME programme combined with standard antenatal care to standard antenatal care alone. Eligible women who are less than 22 weeks’ gestation will be recruited from the antenatal clinics of one hospital located in Western Sydney, Australia. A sample of 200 primiparous pregnant women who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomised to either control or intervention groups. This sample size will allow for detecting a minimum difference of 9% in the female SF score between the two groups. The duration of the PFME programme is from approximately 20 weeks’ gestation until birth. Female SF will be measured via questionnaires at < 22 weeks’ gestation, at 36 weeks’ gestation and at 3 months following birth. Baseline characteristics, such as partner relationship and mental health, will be collected using surveys and questionnaires. Data collected for secondary outcomes include the effect of PFME on childbirth outcomes, urinary and faecal incontinence symptoms and quality of life.DiscussionThe findings of this study will provide more information on whether a hospital-based antenatal PFME has any effect on female SF, urinary and faecal incontinence during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth. The study will also provide information on the effectiveness of antenatal PFME on childbirth outcomes.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry, ACTRN12617001030369. Registered on 17 July 2017.
Highlights
Sexual dysfunction can have a negative impact on women’s quality of life and relationships
The findings of this study will provide more information on whether a hospital-based antenatal pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) has any effect on female sexual function (SF), urinary and faecal incontinence during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth
To date, there is an international consensus that pelvic floor muscle training (PFME) should be the first-line treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
Summary
Sexual dysfunction can have a negative impact on women’s quality of life and relationships. There is limited information about female sexual function and treatment, during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of antenatal PFME on female SF during pregnancy and the first 3 months following birth. Pregnancy and birth can cause significant life changes that alter previous phases of physical and emotional adjustment of couples and many women experience sexuality differently during this period [8]. About 90% of women claim to resume sexual activity 6 weeks after childbirth [9], and around 83% are reported to experience sexual problems in the first 3 months and 64% in the first 6 months following birth [9]. Acele and Karaçam [10] found that 91.3% of women experience at least one sexual problem in the postpartum period. Khajehei et al [11] conclude that 64.3% of Australian women reported sexual dysfunction in the first year after birth and 70.5% expressed sexual dissatisfaction
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