The association of genital self‐image during pregnancy with the attitude toward sexuality

OpenAlex English

AIM: Genital self-image is one of the significant components of sexual health. Changes in the female body during pregnancy occur also in genital organs and affect the pregnant woman's genital self-image. In this respect, this study aimed to evaluate the genital self-image during pregnancy and its association with the attitude toward sexuality. METHODS: This is descriptive and correlational research. The research data were collected at antenatal polyclinics of a university hospital from November 2022 to January 2023. A total of 319 pregnant women who were married, sexually active, and healthy were included in the study. The Survey Form, the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), and the Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy (AStSdP) were used in the collection of research data. RESULTS: The mean scores obtained by pregnant women from the FGSIS and the AStSdP were successively 14.50 ± 4.15 and 88.01 ± 14.46 points. The factors affecting the attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy were the genital self-image and the duration of marriage. CONCLUSIONS: In the study, it was discerned that pregnant women had a negative genital self-image and held negative attitudes toward sexuality during pregnancy. Also, it was found that genital self-image and the duration of marriage affected the attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy. Therefore, in pregnancy follow-ups, women's genital self-image and attitudes toward sexuality should be identified, and training programs and consultancy services on these topics should be offered to women.