RELATION OF QUALITY OF SLEEP AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE SEXUAL FUNCTION OF PREGNANT
pregnancy; sexual dysfunction; sleep; quality of life.
INTRODUCTION: Gestation is a period characterized by a series of physical, hormonal and psychological changes, together with the influences of cultural, social, religious and emotional experienced by the pregnant woman, can affect sexuality. The two problems most frequently reported by women during gestation are presence of physical discomforts and problems related to sleep. For many women, proper sleep as well as sexual function are considered important. OBJECTIVE: To verify the relationship between sexual function and sleep quality of pregnant women, as well as their influence on their quality of life. METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional study of pregnant women who participated in the Course for Pregnant Women of the Physiotherapy Department of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte from April 2013 to March 2018. A total of 317 pregnant women were evaluated through interviews and self-administered questionnaires, the Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (IQSP), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESSE), and the Quality Index of Life Ferrans and Powers (IQVFP). RESULTS: The data showed that poor sleep quality and the presence of excessive daytime sleepiness negatively interfere in the quality of life of the pregnant women; and that a good and healthy sexual function support the quality of life of these women. CONCLUSION: The main findings of this research have shown that poorer sexual function as well as poorer quality of sleep lead to poorer quality of life during pregnancy.