Effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility: An RCT

Background: The infertility phenomenon affects physiological and psychosocial aspects. Sexual counseling can improve sexual and marital satisfaction.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of sexual health counseling based on the mindfulness approach on sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility.

Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 44 women suffering from infertility referred to the Yazd Reproductive Science Institute, Yazd, Iran. Women were randomly divided into 2 groups. The intervention group (n = 22) received 8 sessions of sexual counseling, while control group (n = 22) received routine care. The data collection tool was the sexual satisfaction questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of women was 30.05 $\pm$ 4.9 yr, infertility duration was 6.83 $\pm$ 4.27 yr, and the mean duration of marriage was 8.3 $\pm$ 4.01 yr. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the intervention group was 62.9 $\pm$ 7.32, 71.6 $\pm$ 5.95, and 70.9 $\pm$ 6.26, before the intervention (baseline), after intervention (8 ${}^{\text{th}}$ wk), and follow-up (12 ${}^{\text{th}}$ wk) respectively. The mean score of sexual satisfaction of women suffering from infertility in the control group was 63.3 $\pm$ 6.82, 64.2 $\pm$ 7.93, and 62.25 $\pm$ 7.99, at baseline, 8 ${}^{\text{th}}$ wk later, and after follow-up (12 ${}^{\text{th}}$ wk), respectively. Sexual satisfaction scores increased before and one month after the intervention in the counseling group, and this difference was statistically significant (p $<$ 0.001).

Conclusion: Mindfulness-based sexual health counseling programs may improve sexual satisfaction in women suffering from infertility in the intervention group.