The Effect of Mode of Delivery on Postpartum Sexual Function and Sexual Quality of Life in Primiparous Women

Abstract

Pregnancy and delivery are one of the most significant periods of women's life that causes hormonal and bodily alterations which could have major effects on sexual function and sexual quality of life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual function and sexual quality of life in primiparous women. A comparative descriptive design was used. The study was conducted at the family planning outpatient clinic of Benha teaching hospital. A purposive sample of 277 primiparous women were divided in two groups vaginal delivery (n= 140) and cesarean section (n=137). Three tools were used for data collection; 1) Structured interviewing questionnaire to collect data about the women' demographic characteristics, gynecologic and sexual history. 2) Female sexual function index was used to evaluate sexual function of the studied women. 3) Sexual quality of life-female questionnaire. The study results showed that 65% of vaginal delivery group and 57.7% of cesarean section group had poor sexual function level, 76.4% of vaginal delivery group and 75.9% of cesarean section group had average level of sexual quality of life after delivery, which revealed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two groups as regard to postpartum sexual function and sexual quality of life. Moreover, there was a positive highly statistically significant correlation (P < 0.01) between the women' sexual function scores and their sexual quality of life scores. The study concluded that there were no statistically significant differences between vaginal delivery and cesarean section groups as regard to postpartum sexual function and sexual quality of life. The study recommended that nurses should provide sexual education for women during postpartum period to enhance sexual functioning and sexual quality of life.

Perineal Injury and Its Association with Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction among First Delivery Women

“…Obstetric anal sphincter injury was a strong and independent predictor for both postponed coital resumption after delivery and for dyspareunia one year postpartum. Higher-degree perineal tears negatively affect female sexual function up to one year after childbirth [8]. In contrast, episiotomy and spontaneous second-degree lacerations do not significantly affect sexual function [9].…”