The relationship between mode of delivery and sexual health outcomes after childbirth

Abstract

Introduction: Several factors are implicated in the women's sexuality after childbirth. Nevertheless, there is conflicting evidence about the influence of mode of delivery (MD) AIM: To prospectively evaluate the relationship between MD and sexual health outcomes after childbirth

Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted between May 2005 and March 2007 included 831 pregnant women recruited from primary care clinics of the public sector in São Paulo, Brazil. The exposure variable was MD: uncomplicated vaginal delivery (spontaneous vaginal delivery without episiotomy or any kind of perineal laceration); complicated vaginal delivery (either forceps or normal, with episiotomy or any kind of perineal laceration) and cesarean delivery. Socio-demographic and obstetric data were obtained through a questionnaire applied during the antenatal and postnatal period. Crude and adjusted risk ratios, with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated using Poisson regression to examine the associations between MD and sexual health outcomes.

Main outcome measures: The three main sexual health outcomes were later resumption of sexual life, self-perception of decline of sexual life (DSL), and presence of sexual desire.

Results: One hundred and forty-one women (21.9%) resumed sexual life 3 or more months after delivery. Although 87.1% of women had desire, DSL occurred in 21.1% of the cohort. No associations were found between MD and sexual health outcomes.

Conclusions: Women's sexuality after childbirth were not influenced by the type of delivery. Efforts to improve the treatment of sexual problems after childbirth should focus beyond MD.

Keywords: Childbirth; Mode of Delivery; Postpartum Depression; Sexual Functioning.