Maryam Zamani - M.Sc. Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Neyshabur University of MedicalSciences, Neyshabur, Iran
Robab Latifnejad Roudsari - Ph.D., Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran- Research Centre for Patient Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Maryam Moradi - Ph.D., Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,Mashhad, Iran
Habibollah Esmaily - Ph.D., Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background: Many couples experience decreasing sexual satisfaction in postpartumperiod. Various sexual health counseling approaches have been designed forpostpartum women to address their common sexual concerns and problems.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Women’s PostpartumSexual Health Program (WPSHP) on women’s sexual satisfaction in postpartum period.Materials and Methods: The study was a single blind randomized clinical trial on75 postpartum women aged 18–35 yr with low sexual satisfaction who attendedurban health-care centres in Mashhad, Iran in 2016. Data were collected using ademographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21, and the LarsonSexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. The intervention group received counselling basedon the WPSHP, a four-session, group- and couples-based program. The control groupjust received postpartum routine care.Results: Both the intervention and control groups were homogeneous for demographicvariables. According to the Mann-Whitney test, sexual satisfaction score in theintervention group was significantly higher than the control group 8 weeks afterthe intervention (p < 0.001). According to the Wilcoxon test, there was a significantdifference in the mean score of sexual satisfaction before and after intervention in theintervention group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: WPSHP caused higher levels of sexual satisfaction. It is thereforerecommended to use this program in women during the postpartum period to promotetheir sexual satisfaction.

Sexual satisfaction, Sexual counseling, Sexual health, Postpartum