[Sexuality of the couple during pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology: A comparative study]

Abstract

Objective: To study the sexuality of pregnant women after assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study based on two questionnaires: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Couple Satisfaction Index 32 (CSI 32). Two groups were compared: pregnancies following ART and spontaneous pregnancies.

Results: A total of 401 women participated: 215 in the ART group and 186 in the spontaneous pregnancy group. Sexual dysfunction was observed in 49.8% of women in the ART group (n=108/215) and 44.1% in the spontaneous pregnancy group (n=82/186). The FSFI score was not significantly lower in the second trimester (24.0±9.3 for ART vs. 25.9±7.3 for spontaneous pregnancy, P=0.07) but was significantly reduced across all trimesters (23.4±9.2 vs. 25.4±5.8, P=0.02). Couple relationship quality (CSI 32) was similar between the two groups (134.4±22.2 vs. 133.9±23.9, P=0.85). Only 13.9% of ART women (n=30/215) and 8.6% of spontaneous pregnancy women (n=16/186) had discussed their sexuality during pregnancy with a healthcare professional.

Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction during pregnancy is high, particularly among women followed for ART. However, the quality of the couple's relationship remains comparable between the two groups.

Keywords: Assisted reproductive techniques; Grossesse; Infertility; Infertilité; Pregnancy; Procréation médicalement assistée; Sexuality; Sexualité.