Postnatal depression and sexual health after childbirth

Abstract

Objective To investigate the sexual health experiences of depressed and nondepressed postnatal women within a 6-month postnatal period. Methods This cross-sectional study used obstetric records and postal survey 6 months after delivery from a cohort of primiparous women ( n = 796) delivering a live-born infant at St. George's NHS Trust, London. Women self-reported sexual problems and sexual behaviors and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results Of the 796 parturients, 484 responded (61%), and 468 completed the survey questions on depression and sexual health (97%). Of the latter, 57 (12%) fit the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale criteria. Comparing the depressed with nondepressed women, resumption of sexual activity occurred with 77% versus 90% ( P = .003), and the median number of specific sexual problems reported was two versus one, respectively ( P = .009). Conclusion Sexual health problems were common after childbirth in both depressed and nondepressed women; however, depressed women were less likely to have resumed intercourse at 6 months and more likely to report sexual health problems. Given the frequency of sexual health problems, postnatal sexual morbidity cannot be assumed to be simply a product of the depressed mental state.