Does the mode of delivery influence sexual function after childbirth?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the mode of delivery on female sexuality 12-18 months after childbirth.


METHODS
Fifty-five primiparae who delivered vaginally without complication and 44 who underwent elective cesarean section after 37 weeks of gestation were included. Sexual function was assessed by a validated self-reported questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), 12 months after birth and compared between groups. Additionally, we have analyzed subjective stress variables recorded after birth between the two groups.


RESULTS
Women with cesarean section were older (p = 0.002) and had a higher body mass index (BMI) (p =0.02). The total score of the FSFI was not significantly different between the groups. Patients recall of dyspareunia at 3 months after childbirth was higher in those who underwent vaginal delivery (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that there is no significant difference in sexual function 12-18 months after childbirth between women who delivered vaginally without episiotomy, heavy perineal laceration, or secondary operative interventions and women who underwent elective cesarean section.
Klein
Katharina
K
Department of Obstetrics and Feto-maternal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. katharina.klein@meduniwien.ac.at
Worda
Christof
C
Leipold
Heinz
H
Gruber
Christian
C
Husslein
Peter
P
Wenzl
Rene
R
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003075:Coitus; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult