Exploring the Perceptions and Experiences of Women with Gestational Diabetes Regarding Their Sexual Function: A Qualitative Study

Background & aim: Gestational diabetes is is associated with some degree of sexual dysfunction in women. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of women with gestational diabetes regarding their sexual function.Methods: This study was a qualitative research using the conventional content analysis approach and was conducted from April to December 2020 in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The participants included 15 women with gestational diabetes, six key individuals, and two husbands of women with gestational diabetes who were selected using a purposive sampling. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The content analysis approach was used based on the Graneheim and Lundman (2004) method. Guba and Lincoln's criteria including credibility, transferability, confirmability, and dependability were applied to achieve trustworthiness. MAXQDA10 software was used for data management.Results: Data analysis illustrated four themes: "sexual problems in women with gestational diabetes", "worries and problems caused by gestational diabetes", "non-comprehensive services", and " need to empower the individuals and significant others ". Conclusion: Worries and problems caused by gestational diabetes that develop in women who receive inappropriate and non-comprehensive services can affect their sexual function. Therefore the supportive role of health care providers and significant others are necessary to empower the patients to overcome their sexual problems.