FRIDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Depressive symptom scores negatively predict sexual function during pregnancy, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
In an effort to determine if depressive symptoms can predict sexual function during pregnancy, Shiow-Ru Chang, Ph.D., from the National Taiwan University in Taipei, and colleagues randomly selected and assessed 555 pregnant patients. The patients completed the Taiwanese versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Female Sexual Function Index, and a demographic questionnaire.
The researchers found that CES-D scores during the first trimester significantly negatively predicted overall sexual function, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain, after adjusting for demographic factors. During the third trimester, CES-D scores significantly negatively predicted sexual desire and satisfaction. Overall sexual function, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and pain were all significantly negatively predicted by gestational age, whereas overall sexual function, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm were all significantly positively predicted by parity. Medical conditions were significant positive predictors of sexual desire.
"The present study revealed that depressive symptom scores during early and late pregnancy were significant negative predictors of sexual function during pregnancy," the authors write.
Abstract
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