Tele-Sexual Counseling Improved Sexual Function and Reduced Sexual Distress in Postpartum Women and Their Spouses: A Randomized Controlled Trial
TL;DR
It is suggested that tele-sexual counseling is an effective, accessible approach to improving postpartum sexual health in couples, particularly in contexts with limited access to in-person services.
Abstract
Abstract This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of tele-sexual counseling on sexual function and distress in postpartum couples. A total of 140 exclusively breastfeeding primiparous women and their spouses were recruited from health centers in Qazvin, Iran, between January and July 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which received five structured online couple-based counseling sessions via a social media platform, or a control group that received routine postpartum care. Sexual function and sexual distress were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one- and two-month follow-ups using validated scales (FSFI-6, IIEF-5, and SDS-R). Women in the intervention group showed significant improvements in sexual function and reductions in distress across all follow-up points (p < 0.001). Men also demonstrated significant gains in sexual function and marked decreases in sexual distress (p < 0.001). The positive effects of the intervention were consistent over time and statistically significant. These findings suggest that tele-sexual counseling is an effective, accessible approach to improving postpartum sexual health in couples, particularly in contexts with limited access to in-person services. Incorporating such interventions into routine care may help address neglected relational and psychosexual challenges during the postpartum period.