Perinatal sexual education is linked with couples’ sexual well-being in pregnancy and the postpartum

Sexual well-being in pregnancy and the postpartum period is an important but often poorly addressed area of discussion. Over 88% of couples will describe problems with sexual well-being yet less than 30% report receiving any information regarding this. In this study 102 couples in pregnancy and another 102 in the postpartum period were questioned regarding their sexual well-being. It enquired into the amount of perinatal sexual health information individuals receive/access; gaps between desired and received information; barriers to accessing information; and links between the quantity of information received/accessed and sexual well-being outcomes. The study concluded that despite a desire for information little to none was provided. When provided at any gestation it resulted in improved sexual well-being. This study highlights a significant gap in antenatal counselling by health professionals and importantly a desire for this education by couples.

J Sex Res doi: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2193570

PrEP for women in Europe: a systematic literature review

HIV transmission reduction by the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a well established therapy; however, the main focus has been to target men who have sex with men. This literature review was commissioned to evaluate the current practice in Europe in protecting women at risk of HIV exposure. The review looked at 44 studies which mainly focused on recipients or potential recipients of PrEP; however, only four were women-focused. The review found that PrEP was effective in women, …