Female genital tract morbidity and sexual function following vaginal delivery or lower segment caesarean section.
A total of 208 women were assessed 2 years' post-delivery to record the prevalence of subjective urinary and faecal incontinence, incontinence of flatus, dyspareunia, subjective depression and sexual satisfaction. This was correlated with mode of delivery. A sample population was selected from the Cardiff Birth Survey Database, in accordance with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each woman was invited to complete and return a postal questionnaire addressing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction scores in women who underwent vaginal delivery in comparison with those who underwent elective caesarean section at 2 years follow-up. There was also a significant increase in the prevalence of urinary incontinence, incontinence of flatus, dyspareunia and subjective depression in women who underwent vaginal delivery.
Griffiths
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A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Wales and the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. Dr.anthony36.freeserve.co.uk
Watermeyer
S
S
Sidhu
K
K
Amso
N N
NN
Nix
B
B
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors