Percepção de puérperas sobre mudanças sexuais após exercícios para o assoalho pélvico: uma abordagem qualitativa

Abstract

Pregnancy, vaginal delivery and the disuse of the perineal muscles are some of the factors that could cause sexual dysfunction among women. Objectives: verify the perception of puerperal women regarding changes in the perineal area and sexual life after vaginal childbirth and an exercise program for pelvic floor muscles (PFM). Methodology: An exploratory, descriptive study conducted using a qualitative approach, with women in the vaginal postpartum. Results: Interviews were carried out with 23 participants, 11 of which participated in the exercise program (intervention group-IG) and 12 did not participate (control group-CG). The participants’ reports were analyzed and organized into categories. In both groups, in the postpartum period, the reports were related to the category “perception of low vaginal tonus”. After the exercise program, IG participants presented more reports in the category “perception of increased vaginal tonus and improved PFM control” and CG participants in the category “feels that vagina is back to the same condition as before pregnancy”. Conclusions: These results show positive effects of the exercise program, as the perception of increased vaginal tone and greater control over the muscles of the pelvic floor and suggest that they should be incorporated to prevent childbirth-related perineum injuries.