Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sexual myths during pregnancy can shape women's beliefs about sexuality, increase anxiety, and reduce sexual satisfaction, thereby negatively affecting sexual quality of life. AIM: This study examined the relationship between sexual myths prevalent during pregnancy and women's sexual quality of life using a cross-sectional, correlational design. METHODS: Conducted between January and April 2025, this study included 332 pregnant women attending the obstetrics outpatient clinic and wards of a university hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Personal Information Form, the Sexual Myths Scale, and the Sexual Quality of Life Scale. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was sexual quality of life, assessed in relation to the level of endorsement of sexual myths during pregnancy. RESULTS: Sexual myths varied significantly according to age, education, occupation, spouse's occupation, marital duration, and pregnancy planning (P < .05). Sexual quality of life was also significantly associated with these variables and with pre-pregnancy pain during intercourse (P < .05). A strong negative correlation was found between overall sexual myths and sexual quality of life. While the "sexual orientation" subscale showed a positive correlation, the subscales of gender, age and sexuality, sexual behavior, masturbation, and sexual violence were negatively correlated with sexual quality of life (P < .005). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Midwives should provide evidence-based education and counseling to address sexual myths, thereby supporting healthier sexual experiences and improving well-being during pregnancy. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is among the first to systematically examine this relationship; however, its cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the findings may not be generalizable beyond the study population. CONCLUSION: Integrating sexual health education into routine prenatal care may enhance women's sexual quality of life during pregnancy. HIGHLIGHT: This study is the first in the Central Black Sea Region of Türkiye to examine the impact of sexual myths on pregnant women's sexual quality of life.Sexual myths were found to be negatively correlated with sexual quality of life, indicating that false beliefs increase anxiety and reduce satisfaction during pregnancy.Sociodemographic factors such as age, education, occupation, marital duration, and pregnancy planning significantly influenced both sexual myths and sexual quality of life.The findings emphasize the importance of evidence-based sexual health education and counseling by midwives to dispel myths and promote healthier sexual experiences during pregnancy.Integrating sexual health education into prenatal care can improve individual well-being and broader community sexual health outcomes.