The effect of yoga on sexual function and body image in primiparous pregnant Women: A randomized controlled single-blind study

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effect of yoga practice during pregnancy on sexual function and body image.Study desing: This study was planned as a randomized controlled single-blind trial. The study was performed with 140 pregnant women randomized in a pregnancy outpatient clinic of a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, between March and September 2021. Two groups (A: yoga group and B: routine hospital care) were included in this study. The Personal Information Form, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Body Exposure During Sexual Activity Questionnaire (BESAQ) were used to collect the data. Clinical Trial ID: "NCT04764838 '' Results: The groups were homogeneously distributed, except for age and income status. The mean score of the Female Sexual Function Index in the yoga group was significantly higher in the post-test (24.71 +/- 3.48) compared to the pre-test (22.95 +/- 4.14) (t:-3.142; p: 0.002). In the control group, there was no difference be-tween the pre-test (24.82 +/- 6.15) and post-test (25.79 +/- 2.47) mean scores of the Female Sexual Function Index (t:-1.351; p: 0.181). There was no significant difference between the groups' pre-test and post-test mean BESAQ scores (Z =-0.670, p = 0.503; Z =-0.225, p = 0.822, respectively). No correlation was found between the pre-test and post-test scores of the FSFI and BESAQ (r =-0.105; p = 0.218; r =-0.099; p = 0.244).Conclusion: Yoga can have a positive effect on sexual function during pregnancy. However, the effect of yoga on body image during sexual function has not been observed. Midwives can direct pregnant women toward yoga practice to increase the positive effects on sexual function.