The effect of sexual health counseling on women's sexual satisfaction in postpartum period: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Many couples experience decreasing sexual satisfaction in postpartum period. Various sexual health counseling approaches have been designed for postpartum women to address their common sexual concerns and problems. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Women's Postpartum Sexual Health Program (WPSHP) on women's sexual satisfaction in postpartum period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a single blind randomized clinical trial on 75 postpartum women aged 18–35 yr with low sexual satisfaction who attended urban health-care centres in Mashhad, Iran in 2016. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and the Larson Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. The intervention group received counselling based on the WPSHP, a four-session, group- and couples-based program. The control group just received postpartum routine care. RESULTS: Both the intervention and control groups were homogeneous for demographic variables. According to the Mann-Whitney test, sexual satisfaction score in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group 8 weeks after the intervention (p [Formula: see text] 0.001). According to the Wilcoxon test, there was a significant difference in the mean score of sexual satisfaction before and after intervention in the intervention group (p [Formula: see text] 0.001). CONCLUSION: WPSHP caused higher levels of sexual satisfaction. It is therefore recommended to use this program in women during the postpartum period to promote their sexual satisfaction.