THE EFFECT OF POSTPARTUM GENITAL SELF -IMAGE AND BODY PERCEPTION DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE ON SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION: A MIXED METHOD STUDY

Problem statement: Many women experience physical sexual health issues in the months after birth, such as dyspareunia, lack of vaginal lubrication and a loss of sexual desire. For women, postpartum altered body image is an important and sensitive issue. Especially, changing genital self-image can affect women`s sexual functions. Psychosocial factors impacting postpartum sexual functioning include body image. Perceived genital self-image, body perception during sexuality and knowing its effects on sexual functions are necessary for handling postpartum sexual dysfunctions of women.

Methods: The mixed-method study design used involved a survey and randomly selected 20–40 key informant interviews. The Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), The Body Exposure during the Sexual Activities Questionnaire(BESAQ), and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were used. Data were collected through a survey and in-depth semi-structured interviews, field notes, and daily notes, and quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and the conventional qualitative content analysis.

Results: Generally women (%60) started sexual intercourse on the 40th postpartum day. The mean FGSIS score of the women was 19.97±4.44, the BESAQ mean score was 1.65±0.45, and the ASEX mean score was 15.74±3.72.FGSIS and BESAQ were found to be factors affecting sexual functions (p=0.03). The rate of women who consider having plastic surgery on their genitals is approximately 40%. The aesthetic procedures that women think of, mostly, want to tighten the vagina, lighten the genital area color and then smaller the inner labia. This qualitative data, which supports the findings obtained with quantitative data, is also noteworthy: “My (un)sexy world with big black labia: the penis can be lost in my vaginal dark hole! What a satisfaction”. Data acquisition is in progress.

Conclusion: Postpartum genital self-image and body perception during sexuality are factors that affect sexual dysfunction. Postpartum sexual functions should be evaluated and specific recommendations should be offered. According to this study, it can be suggested to develop interventions targeting body image and sexuality in postpartum women.