Sexual behavior, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction of women and men during the postpartum period.

Abstract

The postpartum period is a challenging period for a couple's sexuality and is accompanied by changes in sexual behavior. However, the study of sexual behavior in this period has mostly focused on (resuming) vaginal intercourse. Other sexual behaviors and their associations with sexual function and satisfaction have as yet not received much attention. This is especially the case for men, as most research on sexuality in the postpartum period has focused on women. The present study aimed to describe women's and men's sexual behavior after having a child, as well as the associations between sexual behavior, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction. A sample of 119 women and 59 men participated in an online survey, 3 to 12 months postpartum. They filled out questionnaires on the frequency of specific sexual behaviors during the past 4 weeks, on their sexual function, and on their sexual satisfaction. Overall, prevalence rates of sexual problems and sexual dysfunctions were higher in women than in men but no differences were found in sexual satisfaction, or frequency of partnered sexual behaviors reported by women and men. Men did report significantly more frequent solo manual stimulation than women did. Moreover, we found that sexual behavior, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction are stronger associated in women than in men. In women, sexual dysfunction was associated with a stronger decline in sexual satisfaction, and with a decline in the frequency of almost all sexual behaviors. In men, sexual dysfunction was associated with a decline in kissing, but a higher frequency of giving oral sex, solo manual stimulation, and anal intercourse. While women's and men's reports of sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction during the postpartum period did not differ much, women's sexual function was found to be more impaired and stronger associated with sexual behavior after the arrival of a child. None