Published date: Nov 10 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 9

Pages: 717–726

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i9.17476

Shahla MohammadkhaniStudent Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Nasrin GhasemiAbortion Research Center, Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Tayebeh Mokhtari SorkhaniDepartment of Health Education and Health Promotion, Social Determinant of Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Mahshid Bokaiemah_bokaie@ssu.ac.irResearch Center for Nursing and Midwifery Care, Non-communicable Diseases Research Institute, Department of Midwifery/Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) creates complex reproductive conditions among women. Problem-solving therapy is one of the sexual health approaches.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of online problem-solving counseling on the sexual anxiety and intimacy of women with RPL.

Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Abortion Research Center in Yazd, Iran from March-August 2023. A total of 70 women with RPL were assigned into 2 groups, that is, intervention and control using random allocation software (n = 35/each). The intervention group received 8 sessions of sexual counseling on problem solving. The control group received an educational pamphlet. The primary outcome was sexual anxiety, and the secondary outcome was sexual intimacy. The data were collected using questionnaires based on sexual anxiety and intimacy. The questionnaires were completed before, after, and 1 month after the study.

Results: A total of 70 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean score of sexual anxiety in the 8th and 12th wk was significantly less in the online group than in control group (p < 0.001). The mean score of sexual intimacy in the 8th and 12th wk was significantly higher in the online group than in control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Problem-solving-based sexual health counseling programs may improve sexual anxiety and intimacy in women with RPL. It is recommended to use a sexual health counseling method in RPL centers when considering the effectiveness of this type of training.

Key words: Habitual miscarriage, Counseling, Problem-solving, Sexuality, Anxiety.

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