Abstract
Objective: To compare sexual function between primiparous women who underwent cesarean section (CS) and those who delivered vaginally. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2011 to April 2012 in Beijing, China. The target population included women aged 18 - 45 years who had given birth only once at least 6 months prior. The questionnaire was self-administered including female sexual function measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using R software with the significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 1456 participants were included and 102 women (7.0%) declined. The median age of the participants was 35 years. The median time interval after childbirth was 6 years. The median FSFI score was 26.9 and prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was 34.2%. Both the FSFI scores and the proportions of individuals with sexual disorders were similar between women undergoing CS and those having vaginal delivery for both individual domains and the full scale. Conclusion: There were insignificant differences in female sexual function scores and FSD prevalence between women undergoing CS versus vaginal delivery.
Highlights
Sexual health is defined as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality” [1]
In addition to its high prevalence, female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after childbirth is a concern due to the increasing cesarean rate and the perceived benefits of cesarean section (CS) on female sexual function held by both health care providers and women giving birth [5]
Some studies have shown no significant association between mode of delivery and sexual function [7] [8] [9], whereas Baksu et al found that sexual function score was lower at six months postpartum among primiparous women who underwent vaginal delivery compared to those who underwent CS [10]
Summary
Sexual health is defined as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality” [1]. The most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction reported were sexual desire disorder (81.2%), problems achieving orgasm (53.5%), and sexual arousal disorder (52.3%) [4]. In addition to its high prevalence, FSD after childbirth is a concern due to the increasing cesarean rate and the perceived benefits of cesarean section (CS) on female sexual function held by both health care providers and women giving birth [5]. The association between mode of delivery and sexual problems has been assessed by limited studies using validated questionnaires, and the evidence has been conflicting. A study conducted in Japan reported that CS affected sexual health more than vaginal delivery without laceration [11]
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