ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional survey study was to prospectively evaluate the changes in sexual behaviours of pregnant women in Southeast Turkey which is under different pressures, either culturally or religiously according to the other regions of Turkey. Material and Methods: Three hundred pregnant women completed a 25-question survey about their sexual life. The questions were prepared based on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Body Exposure during Sexual Activities Questionnaire (BESAQ) tests. Results: Sexual desire decreased in 65.2% of women (n=163) and increased in 8.4% (n=21). The rate of orgasms was 55.6% (n=139), and higher during anal intercourse (p=0.038). The orgasm rate before and during pregnancy was similar (p=0.72). The orgasm/satisfaction was higher during anal intercourse compared to that during vaginal intercourse (p=0.038). Sixty five percent of the women were worried about coitus during pregnancy (n=176). However, 85.7% of the pregnant women (n=257) had regular sexual intercourse to maintain a healthy partnership (40%) or for desire (23%). There was no significant relationship between intercourse frequency and education level (p=0.81), abortion history (p=0.63), age (p=0.21), and gestational week (p=0.81). Sexual desire remained mostly unchanged in women following their first, second, and third births (61.1%, 61.7%, and 69.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that despite the geographical, cultural and social differences between the southeast region and other regions, the fact that sexual life during pregnancy has similar characteristics for every women shows that sexual physiology is independent from external factors.