Utilizing Electronic Modules to Educate on Sexual Health Practices During Pregnancy

NCT07497971 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 219476
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study looks at whether an interactive online education module can improve knowledge, comfort, and communication about sexual health during pregnancy. Many pregnant individuals experience changes in sexual function and intimacy but may feel uncomfortable discussing these topics or may have misconceptions about what is safe during pregnancy. Participants who are pregnant and receiving routine prenatal care will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will complete an interactive, evidence-based educational module focused on sexual health and intimacy during pregnancy. The other group will review a standard educational article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) about sexual activity during pregnancy. Participants will complete surveys before and after reviewing the educational material, as well as a follow-up survey two weeks later. These surveys will measure knowledge about sexual health during pregnancy, comfort discussing sexual concerns with healthcare providers, and sexual function. The goal of this study is to determine whether an interactive educational approach can better support pregnant individuals' understanding of sexual health and encourage open communication with healthcare providers during pregnancy.

Conditions

Sexual Health Education During Pregnancy; Sexual Function and Intimacy in Pregnancy; Communication About Sexual Health in Prenatal Care

Keywords

Pregnancy; Sexual health; Prenatal education; Patient education; Digital health education; Female Sexual Function Index; Communication with healthcare providers; Intimacy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Sexual Health Knowledge During Pregnancy

  Change in participant knowledge regarding sexual health, intimacy, and safety of sexual activity during pregnancy, as measured by a study-specific knowledge survey administered before and after the educational intervention. The outcome is defined as the number of correct responses, with scores ranging from 0 to the total number of survey questions; higher scores indicate greater sexual health knowledge.

  Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention, and 2 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Comfort Discussing Sexual Health With Healthcare Providers

  Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention, and 2 weeks post-intervention

• Change in Sexual Function During Pregnancy

  Baseline (pre-test) and 2 weeks post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1: Interactive Educational Module

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm will complete a pre-test survey, review an interactive, evidence-based online educational module focused on sexual health, intimacy, and common misconceptions during pregnancy, and then complete an immediate post-test survey. A follow-up survey will be completed two weeks later.

Behavioral: Interactive Sexual Health Educational Module

Arm 2: Standard Educational Article

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to this arm will complete a pre-test survey, review a standard educational article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on sexual activity during pregnancy, and then complete an immediate post-test survey. A follow-up survey will be completed two weeks later.

Behavioral: Standard ACOG Educational Article

Interventions

Standard ACOG Educational Article BEHAVIORAL

A publicly available educational article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) titled "Is it Safe to Have Sex During Pregnancy?" providing general guidance on sexual activity during pregnancy

Arm 2: Standard Educational Article

Interactive Sexual Health Educational Module BEHAVIORAL

An interactive, web-based educational module designed to educate pregnant individuals on sexual function, intimacy, and safe sexual practices during pregnancy. The module addresses common myths, physiological changes, communication with partners and healthcare providers, and evidence-based guidance regarding sexual activity during pregnancy.

Arm 1: Interactive Educational Module

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant individuals at or beyond 12 weeks gestation
• Age 18 years or older
• English speaking with English reading proficiency
• Experiencing a low risk pregnancy with no major complications
• Not currently followed by Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) for high risk pregnancy management

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy complications requiring management by Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM)
• Placed on pelvic rest
• Advised by their provider to abstain from sexual intercourse

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Loyola University: lead
• The international society for the study of women's sexual health: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Loyola University Medical Center

Maywood, Illinois, 60153, United States

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Aksoy Derya Y, Gok Ugur H, Ozsahin Z. Effects of demographic and obstetric variables with body image on sexual dysfunction in pregnancy: A cross-sectional and comparative study. Int J Nurs Pract. 2020 Jun;26(3):e12829. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12829. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

  PMID: 32155306 BACKGROUND

• Corbacioglu Esmer A, Akca A, Akbayir O, Goksedef BP, Bakir VL. Female sexual function and associated factors during pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2013 Jun;39(6):1165-72. doi: 10.1111/jog.12048. Epub 2013 May 30.

  PMID: 23718891 BACKGROUND

• Mohammadi M, Khani M. Comparing the effect of face-to-face education and using educational films on couples' sexual dysfunction during pregnancy. J Educ Health Promot. 2021 Sep 30;10:335. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1535_20. eCollection 2021.

  PMID: 34761021 BACKGROUND

• Bartellas E, Crane JM, Daley M, Bennett KA, Hutchens D. Sexuality and sexual activity in pregnancy. BJOG. 2000 Aug;107(8):964-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2000.tb10397.x.

  PMID: 10955426 BACKGROUND

• Cassis C, Mukhopadhyay S, Morris E, Giarenis I. What happens to female sexual function during pregnancy? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2021 Mar;258:265-268. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.01.003. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

  PMID: 33485263 BACKGROUND

• Bahrami Vazir E, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Kamalifard M, Ghelichkhani F, Mohammadi A, Mirghafourvand M. The correlation between sexual dysfunction and intimate partner violence in young women during pregnancy. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2020 Sep 14;20(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s12914-020-00245-9.

  PMID: 32928215 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Mary Lynn, DO

  Loyola University Chicago

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mary Lynn, DO

CONTACT

708-327-1450; MLYNN@lumc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to either an interactive educational module or a standard educational article, with outcomes assessed through pre-test, post-test, and two-week follow-up surveys.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2026
• First Posted: March 27, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Last Updated: April 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)