Investigation of the Relationships Between Physical Activity Levels and Sexual Response During Pregnancy

Hatice Durmuş; Gülbala Gülören; Serap Özgül; Mehmet Sinan Beksaç; Türkan Akbayrak

doi:10.33719/sexscij.2604.35

Authors

Hatice Durmuş Unit of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Pelvic Health and Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6709-8717
Gülbala Gülören Department of Orthopedic Physiotherapy, Faculty of Hamidiye Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5331-786X
Serap Özgül Department of Fundamental Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2362-6773
Mehmet Sinan Beksaç Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Perinatology, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-787X
Türkan Akbayrak Department of Fundamental Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5840-5252

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33719/sexscij.2604.35

Keywords:

physical activity, pregnancy, sexual response

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity types and intensity levels and the subdomains of sexual response during pregnancy.

Methods: Healthy pregnant women between 10 and 35 gestational weeks were included in the study. Participants’ descriptive characteristics and obstetric histories were recorded. Physical activity levels were assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, and sexual responses were evaluated with the Pregnancy Sexual Response Inventory. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine relationships between numerical variables, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: In the study, including a total of 139 pregnant women, positive correlations were observed between light- and moderate-intensity physical activity levels and various subdomains of sexual function (frequency, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, etc.) (p < 0.05). In particular, sports/exercise activity levels were found to be associated with the greatest number of sexual function subdomains (p < 0.05). In contrast, no associations were identified between vigorous-intensity activity or household/caregiving activity levels and sexual response dimensions (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: While light- to moderate-intensity activities and sports/exercise activities during pregnancy were associated with better sexual response, this was not the case for high-intensity activities or non-pleasurable household/caregiving tasks. Further studies are needed to elucidate the interaction between physical activity and sexual response during pregnancy.

References

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Investigation of the Relationships Between Physical Activity Levels and Sexual Response During Pregnancy

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