Beata Naworska

Changes in the Sexual Function During Pregnancy

INTRODUCTION The physiological changes during each trimester of pregnancy have a significant impact on womens sexual behavior. AIM The aim of the work was to assess changes in the sexual function during pregnancy. METHODS The prospective study encompassed 520 pregnant women aged between 18 and 45, of whom 168 were qualified for the final analysis. The research tool was a purpose-designed research questionnaire and the standardized Female Sexual Function Index. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To assess changes in the sexual function among pregnant women aged 18-45 in the three pregnancy trimesters. RESULTS All the studied parameters, i.e., desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain, decreased significantly with the progression of pregnancy. Analyzing the frequency of sexual intercourse in the studied group before and during pregnancy, a statistically significant decrease (P<0.000001) was observed. Sexual desire changed statistically significantly (P=0.0004). The direction of change concerned decreased sexual desire in the three trimesters compared with the situation before pregnancy. Statistical significance was demonstrated for: decreased sexual desire (P=0.00007), partners reluctance (P=0.002), and pregnancy-related changes in appearance (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Sexual function was compromised and sexual activity decreased as the pregnancy progressed. Changes in the domains of arousal, lubrication, and orgasm were particularly notable in primaparae in the third trimester of pregnancy. Unsatisfying partner relationship was a significant factor affecting the quality of sexual life during pregnancy.

Psychological Disturbances and Quality of Life in Obese and Infertile Women and Men

Anovulatory cycles and endometriosis are the main causes of female infertility. The most frequently anovulatory cycles are related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly associated with obesity and hormonal disturbances in the course of obesity. Recently published studies revealed that infertility affects about one in six couples during their lifetime and is more frequent in obese. Obesity is also associated with male infertility related to erectile dysfunction, hormonal disturbances and lower semen quality. Any of these above mentioned disorder is the important risk factor of psychological disturbances and poor quality of life among women and men in the reproductive age. On the other hand the mood disorders may exacerbate the hormonal disturbances and worsen the effectiveness of infertility management. Infertility, its therapy with accompanying psychological disturbances may also significantly affect the partners relationships. The review summarize the results described in the current literature on the association between obesity and infertility and psychological disturbances as well as their impact on quality of life and sexual functioning in women and men. Moreover, the impact of infertility and psychological disturbances on partners relationships is discussed.

The role of physical activity in preventing obesity in midlife women

Introduction Obesity is one of the most common nutrition-related disorders worldwide and one of the major health problems in menopausal women, which significantly worsens the quality of life and can lead to severe diseases or even premature death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between physical activity in different domains undertaken by menopausal women while performing daily activities and their body mass index (BMI). Material and methods The study was conducted on a random sample of 400 healthy Polish women aged 45-55. The questionnaire contained questions concerning the respondents’ socio-economic status, medical history and the long format of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Results Fifty-one percent (50.6%) of women had normal body mass, 43.75% of respondents were overweighed and 5.65% of women were obese. A moderate physical activity level was presented by most midlife women in domestic and garden domain, active transportation and leisure time. Pearsons correlation showed that such factors as age, education and physical activity level in different domains have a significant correlation with BMI. Conclusions Most respondents presented a moderate physical activity level in all domains except work, where the respondents had a high physical activity (PA) level. A high PA level especially at work (r = –0.5788) and during leisure time (r = –0.5175) strongly correlate with lower BMI.

Professional experience and ergonomic aspects of midwives’ work

ObjectivesThe most frequent manner of attending childbirth imposes on midwives assuming poor body position affecting the musculoskeletal system. Long professional experience does not mitigate the negative effects. The adopted movement habit, as well as the type, number and frequency of actions influence the body posture. The aim of the study was to identify ergonomic threats of basic occupational midwives activities and how particular spinal segments arrangements while attending childbirth using the same technique in senior midwives differ from those of junior ones. It was also checked whether pain influences the working position assumed by midwives.Materials and MethodsExaminations were conducted in 95 midwives aged 21–50 (X = 29.25±9.34): 51 graduates of BSc midwifery who worked 680 h in delivery rooms during obligatory practical classes and apprenticeship and 44 senior midwives with professional experience of 7–27 years (X = 14.84±5.98). The study was threefold. The spinal alignment while performing work activities associated with attending childbirth was assessed using the OWAS system and the SonoSens Monitor, the center of gravity projection on basal plane — using the AccuGait AMTI stabilometric platform. The measurements were taken during a simulation of attending childbirth (on examination model). A survey was conducted aimed at identifying spinal pain.ResultsMidwives’ working postures require unnatural body alignments. Postural instability in the working position and no maximal usage of basal plane were observed. The work overload may afflict the musculoskeletal system, which was confirmed by different pain discomforts in 67.3% of the examinees.ConclusionsSpinal alignment while attending childbirth is individually differentiated and in every case non-ergonomic. Identifying explicitly spinal overloads is difficult, but the most prevalent ones affect lumbar and cervical regions altogether. Spinal pain is frequently noted, both in junior and senior midwives, and is characteristic for midwives working in maximal movement ranges.

Does anxiety modify sexuality of pregnant women

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of anxiety on womens sexuality during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The prospective study involved 520 pregnant women at the age of 18-45. 168 of them were quali¬fied for the final analysis. The research tools were: a self-designed questionnaire for women and standardized STAI scale. RESULTS The state and trait anxiety in pregnant women was evaluated during all trimesters of pregnancy. State anxiety was stronger among women with a strong tendency to feelings of anxiety. The authors also tried to determine the correlation between womens assessment of their relationship with the partners and its impact on state and trait anxiety during all three trimesters of pregnancy. Self assessment of relations between partners had statistically significant impact on the increase in state anxiety (p = 0.04) in multiparous women, who reported impairment of their relations with the partner, and had statistically significant impact on the increase in the trait anxiety in primiparous women (p = 0.02) and multiparous (p = 0.05) women, who reported deterioration of partnership especially in the second trimester of their pregnancy. Lower anxiety level in the second trimester contributed to the increased sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS Anxiety level during pregnancy significantly affected the quality of sexual activity. Lower anxiety level in the second trimester contributed to the increased sexual activity.