Journal article
Depression across pregnancy and the postpartum, antidepressant use and the association with female sexual function
Psychological Medicine, Vol.49(9), pp.1490-1499
2019
Abstract
Background
There is an established relationship between depression and sexual functioning in women. However, there is limited research examining the relationship between perinatal depression and sexual functioning.
Methods
This study draws on the Mercy Pregnancy and Emotional Wellbeing Study and reports on 211 women recruited in early pregnancy and followed to 12 months postpartum. Women were assessed for depression using the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV, repeated measurement of depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and sexual functioning using the Female Sexual Functioning Inventory. Data were also collected on antidepressant use, mode of delivery, history of childhood trauma, breastfeeding and partner support.
Results
Women showed a decline in sexual functioning over pregnancy and the first 6 months postpartum, which recovered by 12 months. For women with depression, sexual functioning was lower throughout pregnancy and continued to be lower at 6 months postpartum than those without depression. Ongoing depressive symptoms at 12 months were also associated with lower sexual functioning. Sexual functioning was not predicted by mode of delivery, antidepressant use or childhood trauma. Breastfeeding predicted lower sexual functioning only at 6 months. Higher partner support predicted higher female sexual functioning.
Conclusions
Pregnancy and the postpartum are a time of reduced sexual functioning for women; however, women with depression are more likely to have lower levels of sexual functioning and this was not predicted by antidepressant use. In women with perinatal depression, consideration of the impact on sexual functioning should be an integral part of care.
Details
- Title
- Depression across pregnancy and the postpartum, antidepressant use and the association with female sexual function
- Authors/Creators
- M. Galbally (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.J. Watson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityM. Permezel (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneA.J. Lewis (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Psychological Medicine, Vol.49(9), pp.1490-1499
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005543613107891
- Copyright
- © Cambridge University Press 2018
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology and Exercise Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.142 Urology
- 1.142.484 Sexual Dysfunction
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Psychology, Clinical
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology