The duration of sexual relationship and its effects on adverse pregnancy outcomes. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andraweera, Prabha; Roberts, Claire T.; Leemaqz, Shalem; McCowan, Lesley; Myers, Jenny; Kenny, Louise C.; Walker, James; Poston, Lucilla; Dekker, Gus
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 128(2018)
• Page Start: 16
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Duration of sexual relationship -- Preeclampsia -- Gestational hypertension -- SGA -- Uterine artery doppler; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Highlights: A short sexual relationship is common in women who have abnormal uterine artery Doppler. It is also common in the above group who also deliver SGA infants. A short sexual relationship appears to be more common in women who have placental insufficiency. Abstract: This study aims to determine if a short duration of sexual relationship is more common among women who experience adverse pregnancy outcomes including gestational hypertension (GHT), preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA) pregnancies and spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) with or without abnormal uterine artery Doppler compared to women who have uncomplicated pregnancies. 5591 nulliparous women from the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study were included. The risk for pregnancy complications for women who had a duration of sexual relationship of ≤3 months, 4–6 months, 7–9 months, 10–12 months was compared with women who had a duration of sexual relationship of >12 months. Uterine artery Doppler was performed at 20 ± 1 weeks' gestation. A short duration of sexual relationship (≤3 months) was more common among women with SGA in the presence of abnormal uterine artery Doppler [9.8% vs 3.0%, aOR (95% CI) 3.4 (1.6–7.08] compared to women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. A short duration of sexual relationship (≤3 months) was also more common among women who had abnormal uterine artery Doppler compared to those with normal uterine artery Doppler [6.1% vs 3.1%, aOR (95% CI) = 2.1 (1.4–3.2)]. A short duration of sexual relationship was not associated with preeclampsia after adjusting for confounders. A short duration of sexual relationship is more common among women who deliver SGA infants with features of placental insufficiency as indicated by abnormal uterine artery Doppler.