What are the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women? A Brazilian cross-sectional analytical study

ObjectiveThis study determined the prevalence and factors associated with sexual dysfunction in breastfeeding women.DesignCross-sectional analytical study.SettingPopulation-based study of individuals living in the northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil.ParticipantsFrom May to August 2017, 372 women aged ≥18 years were selected who gave exclusive, predominant or complementary breast feeding up to 23 months postpartum, and who did not have contraindications for the resumption of intercourse. Pregnant women, those diagnosed with mental health problems, users of medications that affect sexual function (antihypertensives, antidepressants or antipsychotics) and women unable to read or understand the instructions for the study were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe breastfeeding women completed the Female Sexual Function Index, the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index and a questionnaire to collect participants’ sociodemographic, clinical and interpersonal data. A bivariate analysis was performed, and variables with p values