2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

THE COMPOUNDING EFFECTS ON RELATIONSHIPS OF CHILDBIRTH, MOOD AND LIBIDO CHANGES

Anne Sved-Williams

Helen Mayo House, Glenside Campus, Eastwood, South Australia

svedwill@hcn.net.au

Objective: To explore the relationship between reported postnatal lowering of libido, lowering of mood in women and men, and the change in the quality of the overall partner relationship.

Methods: Women were approached in antenatal clinic and invited to participate in the research study. Women who consented filled in the following data set:

• Brief Index of Sexual Functioning (BISF-W)
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
• Demographic Data Questionnaire
• Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)
• Visual Analogue Scale regarding relationship (VAS)
• Partners who also consented filled in the following data set:
• Brief Sexual Function Questionnaire (BSQF)
• Beck Depression rating scale
• DAS
• VAS

Both member of each couple were asked to return the same set of questionnaires at 2 further points, 6 weeks, and 6 months postnatally.

Results: The return rate of data postnatally was low, with significant differences between completers and non-completers. In the completer groups, no significant associations were found between the factors investigated, ie postnatal mood, libido and marital satisfaction. Return to sexual functioning postnatally was 40% at 6 weeks, and 80% at 6 months.

Conclusions: The resumption, postnatally, of sexual functioning including sexual pleasure and sexual activity, is highly complex. This study was unable to confirm the original hypothesis, that there would be a greater decrease in sexual functioning in depressed women in the first 6 months postnatally compared to women with normal mood. This accords with other studies. Many factors, including hormonal status, birth difficulties, marital satisfaction and mood may be implicated.