Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Female Sexual Function During Pregnancy: A Correlational and Comparative Analysis.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual function among pregnant women and to evaluate variations in these outcomes according to demographic, obstetric, and sexual characteristics.

Methods

This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 278 pregnant women. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between June and July 2026. The data collection instruments included the Descriptive Information Form, the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire (BFLUTS), and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

The mean age of the pregnant women was 28.88 ± 4.13 years. The mean total FSFI score was 19.06 ± 5.72, with 95.7% of participants scoring below the conventional cutoff of 26.55. Women scoring below the conventional FSFI cutoff had significantly higher BFLUTS filling and urinary incontinence scores. In the adjusted regression model, greater urinary filling symptom severity (B = -0.346, SE = 0.162, β = -0.145, t = -2.129, p = 0.034) and a history of curettage (B = 2.436, SE = 1.088, β = 0.160, t = 2.238, p = 0.026) were associated with lower total FSFI scores. Obstetric characteristics, self-reported sexual knowledge, and sexual practices were also associated with variations in specific urinary symptom and sexual function domains.

Conclusions

Urinary filling symptoms and obstetric history were associated with sexual function during pregnancy, even after adjustment for other characteristics. These findings support the consideration of urinary symptoms and sexual health in comprehensive antenatal assessment and highlight the potential value of individualized counseling.