the present study aimed to compare the effect of individual counseling based on EX-PLISSIT and GATHER models on sexual function of women with gestational diabetes background during lactation.

In this randomized clinical trial, 78 breastfeeding women with gestational diabetes from health centers of Khorramabad were selected using clustering method between 10 and 16 weeks postpartum. Then, they were assigned into two groups of intervention according to randomized blocks. Each participant received two sessions of individual counseling based on GATHER or EX-PLISSIT methods. Sexual function questionnaire was completed one month after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23, descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), and analytical statistics (repeated measurement ANOVA, independent t-test, and chi-squared).

Mean sexual desire is significantly different between before and after the intervention. (p=0.001). The interaction of group and time is statistically significant (p=0.007). So that the average sexual desire in both groups is increasing, but during the time in the Ex-PLISSIT group the average libido increases steeper. After the intervention, the average sexual function in the Ex-PLISSIT group is higher than in the GATHER group (p<0.05).

According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that individual counseling based on Ex-PLISSIT model can be effective on improving women's sexual function during lactation in gestational diabetic women. Therefore, this method can be used in clinics and women's service centers.