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

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.