الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Sexuality is an integral part of the personality of every human being and is affected by values, culture and public health. Postpartum is a special period in the life of the female which is characterized by physical, hormonal and psychological changes. It has an important impact on female sexual life and couple’s sexual relationship.
Specific changes of Postpartum have significant influences on sexual behavior. A reduction in sexual intercourse frequency, desire and satisfaction occurs in many women, particularly exclusive breast feeding compared with partial feeding.
The present study aimed to evaluate impact of lactation on female sexuality and made comparison between exclusive and partial breast feeding.
This study included 400 healthy married women postpartum who filled out the (FSFI) questionnaire. About 237 (60%) women used exclusive breast feeding and 163 (40%) women used partial breast feeding. Most of participants started breastfeeding from less than 6 months (53%).
The FSFI questionnaire was used in this study as; it is a valid and accurate measure of the female sexual function. This questionnaire comprises 19 questions that evaluate six different domains of sexual function including (desire – arousal – lubrication – orgasm – satisfaction and pain). The FSFI score ≤ 26.5 is the cutoff point for women with sexual dysfunction. Mean total FSFI score is 19.0±5.28 in this study. It was affected by educational level; University education had the highest effect on desire, lubrication and orgasm than the lower education. Also it was affected by occupation; Lactating housewives had the highest effect on desire, lubrication, arousal, satisfaction and orgasm than working females
This study data suggested that the female sexual function is greatly affected postpartum especially after two months, as 88.3 %( more than Three-quarters) of the participating lactating females at high risk for sexual dysfunction. There are numerous hormonal, physical and psychological changes that affect female sexuality postpartum. Hormonal changes (lower estrogen, higher oxytocin and higher Prolactin).Low estrogen contributes to low vaginal lubrication, desire, pain during vaginal intercourse and lactational amenorrhea. Physical changes ( Breast changes and whole body changes). Psychological changes (insomnia, depression, interruption of baby and partner relationship).