The quality of sexual life after experiencing the episiotomy birth

Abstract

Introduction: Episiotomy is a surgical cut of the perineum during childbirth to widen the pelvic outlet. The evidence shows women are less interested into sexual intercourse in the period after birth than they were before or during the pregnancy. This is the consequence of the changes in the postpartum period and often affected also by the perineal trauma. The purpose of literature review is to study the connection of perineal trauma on pain during sexual course in the postnatal period. Methods: Descriptive research method has been used, based on the review of relevant national and international literature on the scientific and professional level. The review of the literature took place in the January 2017, with the help of international databases. Searching terms included the following Key words: »episiotomy«, »sexuality«, »postpartum« and »dyspareunia«. The literature searching was limited on the Slovenian and English language and included the relevant papers published between 2007 and 2017. Results: The incidence of episiotomy in Slovenia is lower than 30 % and varies between individual birth hospitals. The first episiotomy is a frequent reason resulting in women's fear of their first sexual intercourse, mostly the accompanied pain. Discussion and conclusions: The research shows that dyspareunia is more common in women having a vaginal birth, especially if the woman sustained a perineal rupture or episiotomy. Women usually return to their sexual life before the pregnancy after 6-12 months after birth. The quality of sexual life may be affected the whole year after childbirth.