title: Mode of delivery and pain during intercourse in the postpartum period: findings from a developing country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the association of the reporting of pain during intercourse in the postpartum period with mode of delivery, and describes women's reports of pain during intercourse and their health care seeking behavior over a period of 40 days-6 months postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study recruited women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy from private obstetric clinics affiliated with 18 hospitals in two regions of Lebanon. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted at the women's homes from 40 days to 6 months postpartum. Verbal, informed consent was obtained from all women participating in the study before the interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a sample of 238 women, 67% reported experiencing pain during intercourse postpartum and 72.3% did not seek care. Women having a cesarean delivery (1.96; CI (1.29-2.63)), who were primiparous (OR=2.44; CI (2.05-2.83)) and residing in the Mount Lebanon region (OR=1.25; CI (1.09-1.40)) were significantly more likely to report pain during intercourse postpartum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cesarean births may increase the chances of reporting of pain during intercourse postpartum among primiparous women. Given that the increasing cesarean section rates worldwide are perceived to be protective of women's sexual health, prenatal and postpartum care need to address women's sexual health problems.
authors: Health Promotion Community Health Department, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Promotion, Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Tamar
authors: T
authors: Kabakian-Khasholian
authors: Health Promotion Community Health Department, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Promotion, Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Ataya
authors: Health Promotion Community Health Department, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Promotion, Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Rawan
authors: R
authors: Shayboub
authors: Health Promotion Community Health Department, WHO Collaborating Center for Health Promotion, Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center. Electronic address: fk01@aub.edu.lb.
authors: Faysal
authors: F
authors: El-Kak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D058748:Pain Perception; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cesarean section; Lebanon; Postpartum health; Sexual health