What is it about?
Grief after a pregnancy loss, known as perinatal grief, can be overwhelming. We wondered if it predicted lower sexual well-being, so we studied 109 couples who had a pregnancy loss in the last four months. We gave them four monthly surveys asking about their sexual well-being and perinatal grief. In our analyses, we found that when perinatal grief was high for either partner, sexual well-being tended to be lower for both partners. These effects included lower sexual satisfaction and sexual desire, as well as higher sexual distress and sexual function problems.
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Why is it important?
The study’s results provide evidence that perinatal grief is a risk factor for lower sexual well-being. Supporting couples through grief could promote sexual well-being, which is key to health and the quality of romantic relationships. Healthcare professionals should regularly screen for perinatal grief and provide grief resources.
Perspectives
There is so little information for couples about what they can do maintain a good sexual relationship after a pregnancy loss. I think this study is one step in that direction, with perinatal grief as one potential target. I really appreciate the participants who were willing to share their experiences during such a difficult time in their lives.
David Allsop
Northern Arizona University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Longitudinal links between perinatal grief and sexual well-being for couples after pregnancy loss., Journal of Family Psychology, May 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/fam0001357.
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