Female genital tract morbidity and sexual function following vaginal delivery or lower segment caesarean section

A Griffiths1, S Watermeyer, K Sidhu

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Wales and the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. Dr.anthony36.freeserve.co.uk

A total of 208 women were assessed 2 years' post-delivery to record the prevalence of subjective urinary and faecal incontinence, incontinence of flatus, dyspareunia, subjective depression and sexual satisfaction. This was correlated with mode of delivery. A sample population was selected from the Cardiff Birth Survey Database, in accordance with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each woman was invited to complete and return a postal questionnaire addressing symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction scores in women who underwent vaginal delivery in comparison with those who underwent elective caesarean section at 2 years follow-up. There was also a significant increase in the prevalence of urinary incontinence, incontinence of flatus, dyspareunia and subjective depression in women who underwent vaginal delivery.

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