title: Association between sexual health and delivery mode.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female sexual function changes considerably during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In addition, women's physical and mental health, endocrine secretion, and internal and external genitalia vary during these times. However, there are limited studies on the relationship between delivery and sexual function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to demonstrate the association between sexual function and delivery mode.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers who delivered a single baby at term were recruited for the study, and 435 mothers were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Female Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28) scores and mothers' backgrounds were assessed at 6 months after delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The delivery mode affected the SFQ28 partner domain. Episiotomy affected the arousal (sensation) domain. Multiple regression analysis revealed that maternal age and cesarean section were significantly associated with several SHQ28 domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that routine episiotomies at delivery should be avoided to improve postpartum maternal sexual function. Maternal age and cesarean section were found to affect postpartum sexual health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Mihyon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Wakayama Medical University Wakayama City, Wakayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomimatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katsuyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical School Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimoya
keywords: Delivery Mode; Episiotomy; Female Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ28)