Background The transition to parenthood is associated with changes to new parents’ mood and sexual health. Sexual dysfunction—problems with sexual function accompanied by sexual distress (i.e., worries and concerns about one’s sex life)—is linked to poorer overall health, yet few studies have examined how sexual dysfunction unfolds for couples during this transition. Postpartum depression is a risk factor for sexual dysfunction; however, the association between depressive symptoms and how postpartum sexual dysfunction evolves has not been examined. Purpose To establish trajectories of sexual function and sexual distress for mothers and partners and to examine if postpartum depressive symptoms were associated with these trajectories. Methods Data were collected from 203 first-time parent couples from midpregnancy until 12-months postpartum. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed at six time points (two prenatal) and depressive symptoms were assessed at 3-months postpartum. Results Dyadic latent piece-wise growth curve models revealed significant declines in mothers’ and partners’ sexual function between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and significant improvements from 3- to 12-months postpartum. Mothers’ sexual distress increased between pregnancy and 3-months postpartum and decreased thereafter, whereas partner’s sexual distress remained stable. Depressive symptoms were associated with poorer sexual function and higher sexual distress at 3-months postpartum for both partners but did not predict change over time. Conclusions Mothers and their partners experience changes to their sexual function during the transition to parenthood; however, mothers are at greater risk of sexual dysfunction. Depressive symptoms are a risk factor for poorer sexual health at 3-months postpartum for both parents.

中文翻译：

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产后抑郁症状与夫妻性功能和向父母过渡期间的性窘迫轨迹之间的关联

背景 为人父母的转变与新父母的情绪和性健康的变化有关。性功能障碍——伴随性困扰的性功能问题（即对性生活的担忧和担忧）——与整体健康状况较差有关，但很少有研究调查夫妻在此过渡期间性功能障碍是如何发生的。产后抑郁症是性功能障碍的危险因素；然而，尚未研究抑郁症状与产后性功能障碍如何演变之间的关联。目的 为母亲和伴侣建立性功能和性困扰的轨迹，并检查产后抑郁症状是否与这些轨迹相关。方法 收集 203 对初次为人父母的夫妇从孕中期到产后 12 个月的数据。在六个时间点（两个产前）评估性功能和性窘迫，并在产后 3 个月评估抑郁症状。结果二元潜在分段生长曲线模型显示，母亲和伴侣的性功能在怀孕和产后 3 个月之间显着下降，而从产后 3 到 12 个月则显着改善。母亲的性窘迫在怀孕和产后 3 个月之间增加并在此后减少，而伴侣的性困扰保持稳定。抑郁症状与双方在产后 3 个月时的性功能较差和性压力较高有关，但不能预测随时间的变化。结论 母亲和她们的伴侣在向父母过渡期间会经历性功能的变化；然而，母亲患性功能障碍的风险更大。对于父母双方来说，抑郁症状是产后 3 个月性健康状况较差的危险因素。