Sexual Function in Pregnancy: Comparative Analysis of Trimesters and Associated Factors

• Grant number: 25/00134-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Marair Gracio Ferreira Sartori
• Grantee: Natalia de Jesus Correia
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period marked by intense physical, physiological, and emotional changes that directly impact women's lives and may interfere with their sexuality. Changes such as abdominal growth, hormonal fluctuations, physical discomfort, and altered body image perception affect not only physical health but also quality of life and conjugal relationships. Despite its importance, the topic of sexuality during pregnancy remains underexplored in prenatal care, hindered by societal taboos and a lack of professional training to address the subject. This study aims to evaluate the sexual function of pregnant women throughout pregnancy, comparing different trimesters. A total of 270 pregnant women (90 per trimester) will be recruited to complete the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The data will be analyzed using statistical methods, such as ANOVA, correlation tests, and multiple linear regression, to identify differences and factors associated with sexual function. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of pregnant women's needs, fostering targeted interventions and promoting more comprehensive and humanized prenatal care.