The Changes of Sexuality in Thai Women during Pregnancy
Natthaporn Senkumwong MD*, Somsak Chaovisitsaree MD*, Sungwal Rugpao MD*, Waraporn Chandrawongse BNS*, Sukanya Yanunto MSc*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Objective : To determine the changes of sexuality during pregnancy in Thai women and to explore their
attitudes and sources of information concerning sexuality during pregnancy.
Materials and Methods : Three hundred and sixty pregnant women who met the study criteria were recruited.
Women at each trimester (n = 120) were interviewed with a structured questionnaire whether their sex desire,
coital frequency and orgasmic rate decreased, increased or remained unchanged as compared with the pre-
pregnancy period. The change in their favorite sexual position, concerns about sexual intercourse during
pregnancy, and their sources of information regarding sexuality were also determined.
Results : The pregnant women at each trimester reported a gradual and significant decrease in sexual desire
(p < 0.05) and coital frequency (p <0.05). The change in orgasmic rate was not statistically significant (p =
0.06). Generally the preferred sexual position was “man on top” however, this gradually and significantly
changed to “rear position” in each trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Fifty nine percent of the women thought
they could have sexual intercourse; however, 79.7% of them were concerned about sexual intercourse during
pregnancy. The main concern was the potential harm to the fetus. Sixty two percent of pregnant women
received information about sexuality during pregnancy from their health physicians.
Conclusion : Sexuality decreased significantly throughout pregnancy in Thai women. The majority of preg-
nant women are concerned about the adverse effects of sexual intercourse on pregnancy outcomes. Therefore,
sexuality during pregnancy should be clearly counseled to all couples to reassure that sexual intercourse in
normal pregnancy is safe.
Keywords : Sexuality, Pregnancy
