(066) SEXUAL DISORDERS AFTER TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
Authors: Citrin E 
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Elective termination of pregnancy (TOP) is legal in our country since 2012. Consequences on sexuality after abortion have never been studied in our country and papers related to this subject are scarce.

Objective

To evaluate the impact in sexuality after TOP in women.

Methods

We conducted an observational, descriptive and retrospective study, approved by the Ethics Board of the University. Once approved a self administered survey form was released on social media, information requested was anonymous, honorary and voluntary. Demographic data collected was age, origin, educational level, work or study activity, marital situation, previous TOP, use of birth control methods, etc. As a tool to evaluate sexuality, we used the questionnaire validated in Spanish FSM (Women’s Sexual Function).

Results

In the period December 2022 to February 2023, we collected 70 responses, our calculated sample was 97, that represent 72.2%. We anticipated an impact on the statistical power of the study. The characteristics of the population is shown in Table 1. The average age was 30.8 years (range 20-44 years). 58.6% (41 women) live in the capital city, and the remaining 41.4% live in the other 18 states. 95.7% of women, 67, live in urban and/or suburban areas, and only 3 (4.3%) rural areas. 30 subjects (42.9%) thought that TOP impacted their sexuality and most of them, 40, didn’t or hadn’t thought about, it until the question was directly raised. The impact was negative in 23 (47.9%) women, positive in 2 (4.2%) and without effect in 23. Women reporting impact on sexuality, 18 women represent 64.3% of the total that declare low sexual desire. Pain or other penetrative disorders was reported by 35.7% (10 cases), arousal disorders 28.6% (8) and orgasm disorders 6 women (21.4%). 60% (42) of the cases, did not seek medical help, only 4 women did with no results from the healthcare system in one case. About the relevance of sexual education in TOP, 70% considered it appropriate, 49 preferred it during the TOP process, while 17 thought that it was convenient in a different setting. We validated the FSM questionnaire for internal consistency Cronbach’s α coefficient was calculated, both globally and by sub dimension. The values obtained show a high value of internal consistency in general, except in the dimension “Problems in penetration”, where the value is lower (0.67), still within the acceptable parameters (≥ 0.7). In most of the domains analyzed by the FSM, the proportion of women without disorders is high, ≥ 80% in some cases, as shown in other papers (Fig. 1) In the subgroup analysis 29 (45.3%) women of the 64 did not present disorder, and 35 had at least a moderate or severe one (54 .7%). 13 of the 64 women (20.3%) had at least one severe disorder. 54% of women pointed out an impair the desire phase. Although the remaining 46% had no alterations, it is a relevant to design strategies to prevent dysfunctions and prophylaxis in mental health.

Conclusions

Abortion is a right guaranteed by national law We must ensure this right but also provide tools that improve women’s sexual health in the process.

Disclosure

No.