الفهرس 
Introduction & Aim of The StudyOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO., 2014) sexual health is a complex biological and sociological concept that requires a positive and responsible approach to sexuality and sexual relationships. It cannot be merely defined as the absence of sexual dysfunction. Sexual health can be greatly altered during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period.
Several studies have demonstrated that female postpartum sexual functioning should be considered a complex phenomenon that can considerably affect female sexuality and the quality of intimate relationships (Abdool Z, et al., 2009). According to the World Health Organization, “all women should be asked about resumption of sexual intercourses and possible dyspareunia, as a part of an assessment of overall well-being two to six weeks after delivery.” (WHO., 2013)
Women’s postpartum sexual functioning can be influenced by hormonal variations and by the physical changes in female genitalia caused by childbirth. Research has shown that women in postpartum can have problems in the resumption of sexual intercourse, loss of desire, dyspareunia, lack of lubrication, pain, and decreased orgasmic capacity (McDonald EA, et al., 2015). Loss of desire and dyspareunia should be considered the predominant sexual problems, with a prevalence ranging from 22% to 86% (Thompson J, et al., 2007).
Postpartum hormonal status and breastfeeding can be associated with low desire, arousal and lubrication problems, and difficulties in achieving orgasm (Avery MD, et al., 2010). Postpartum sexual activities also can be influenced by psychological factors, such as depression, anxiety, parenting stress and fatigue, and body dissatisfaction. Moreover, experiencing pain during intercourse can inhibit the sexual response cycle, with negative effects on multiple dimensions of female sexuality (Connolly A, et al., 2010).
This study aimed to study the effect of fennel on postnatal women’s sexual health
This study was conducted at family planning clinics at Ain shams Maternity University Hospital. The study sample consisted of (240) women at end of the postpartum period. Two tools of data collection were used first was structured interviewing questionnaire sheet to collect the demographic data, women’s knowledge regarding postpartum female sexual function and effect of sexuality on marital relation. Second was The Female Sexual Function Questionnaire was developed solely for this study, in order to assess the female sexual function.
Results of the present study revealed that:
• 60.0% of women in control group were in age between 20-30 years old compared to 52.5% of women in the study group. As regard husband age 57.5 % of husband in control were in age between 30-40 years old compared to 55% in the study group. Concerning wife’s educational level, 37.5% of wife’s had university education in control group versus 50.0% in intervention group. Regarding husband’s educational level, 45% of husband’s had university education in control group versus 50.0% in intervention group. Moreover, 47.5% of control group had adequate income compared to 55% in the study group. In addition there was no statistical significant difference between control and study group regarding their personal characteristics.
• There was no statistical significant difference between control and study group regarding times of resuming sexual relation at postpartum period on the following factors; labor process and woman’s general health. While, there was a statistical significant difference between control and study group regarding times of resuming sexual relation at postpartum period on the following factors; neonate, occupation of the husband, and family composition.
• There was no statistical significant difference between control and study group regarding their knowledge about meaning of sexual health, factors affecting sexual health, time of resuming sexual relation during postpartum period, and methods used to facilitate sexual relation during postpartum period.
• There was no statistical significant difference between control and study group regarding all domains of female marital satisfaction scale.
• There was a statistical significant improvement in all domains of female sexual function index after intervention.
• There was no statistical significant deference between all items of sociodemographic characteristics of the control group and marital satisfaction scale except wife educational qualification.
• There was a mild positive correlation between marital satisfaction and all dominos of female sexual function index at initial assessment. while, there was moderate positive correlation between marital satisfaction and all dominos of female sexual function index at second and third time.
• There was a mild positive correlation between marital satisfaction and all dominos of female sexual function index at initial assessment. While, there was moderate positive correlation between marital satisfaction and all dominos of female sexual function index at second and third time.
The current study concluded that
Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that:
• The finding of the present study cast light on some of important features about fennel as a natural complementary method on improving women sexual health.
• Fennel was effective in improving postnatal women’s sexual health as proved by increasing all domain of female sexual function index after its using by women.
The present study recommended that:
• Awareness session should be provided for all postnatal women about sexual health and how to cope with sexual health problems.
• Nurses and all of the health care providers who are engaged in caring of women during the postpartum period should be counsel women regarding potential sexual problems during postpartum period and proper way to manage it.
• Further study is needed to study effect of different management strategies on promoting sexual health and improving QOL.