Efficacy of Sexual Consultation Based on PLISSIT Model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) on Sexual Function among Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Sexual problems during pregnancy are the source of many interpersonal and marital conflicts. The pattern of changes in sexual activity during pregnancy can have an impact on sexual function and thus on sexual satisfaction in pregnant women. Counseling can reduce pregnant women's sexual problems during this time greatly. This study was conducted to determine the effect of counseling based on the PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) on sexual function in pregnant women.
This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 80 pregnant women with gestational age of 24-26 weeks, having at least one sexual problem confirmed by psychiatrists. They were divided randomly in basis of block permutation into two groups of intervention and control. The intervention group received counseling based on PLISSIT by a trained midwife and control group received regular prenatal care by a midwifery clinic. Demographic and midwifery, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire were used and completed for data collection before intervention, and 2 and 4 weeks after that. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Findings: After adjusting for pre-intervention score, there were significant differences between the mean score of sexual function, and all its domains, among experimental and control groups at the fourth week after the intervention (P As sexual counseling based on PLISSIT model improved sexual function in women during pregnancy in this research, using this model in primigravida is advised. Evaluation of this method in sexual satisfaction is recommended for future studies.