CONNECTION TYPE AND NUMBER OF CHILDBIRTH IN SEXUAL FUNCTION AND FEMALE GENITAL SELF-IMAGE: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the anatomical changes that pregnancy, childbirth and multiparity cause in the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), these are risk factors for pelvic floor disorders. These changes can lead to sexual dysfunction or alteration of the perception of genital self-image. Objective: To investigate the relationship between types and number of births and sexual function and female genital self-image. Materials and Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. We analyzed 384 women aged 18-60 years, sexually active, enrolled in gyms. The exclusion criteria involved participants who have difficulty in understanding the instruments. The FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), FGSIS (Female Genital Self-Image Scale) questionnaires and the sociodemographic data were self-reported. Higher FGSIS scores - which can range from 7 to 28 - were considered indicative of positive genital self-image and FSFI scores under 26 were considered indicative of sexual dysfunction score. Categorical variables (number and type of births) were presented in frequency and the association of FSFI and FGSIS was taken by independent t-test, p = 0.05 considered. Results: 384 women with a mean age of 34.9 ± 10.1 years and BMI of 24.1 ± 3.5 kg / m2 were evaluated. The FSFI showed changes in desire and arousal domains and the FGSIS scores did not suffer influence of the number and type of deliveries. Conclusion: The results showed that the number and type of deliveries are related to reduced female sexual function, which has not been associated togenital self-image.