Does mode of delivery affect sexual functioning of the man partner?

Recent surveys showed that the major reasons for avoiding vaginal delivery were the fear of childbirth and the concern for postpartum sexual health. Although sexual dysfunction is a disorder that affects a couple rather than an individual, all studies investigating the relationship between the mode of delivery and sexual problems have been conducted only in cohorts of women.

To determine the effect of mode of delivery on quality of sexual relations and sexual functioning of men by using the Golombock-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

Mean score of sexual function and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in overall and specific areas of the GRISS were compared among the three groups.

A total of 107 men accompanying their wives in outpatient clinics of obstetrics and gynecology met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Three groups of men were defined; men whose partners had: (i) "elective cesarean delivery" (N = 21; mean age 32.2 +/- 3.8 years); (ii) "vaginal delivery with mediolateral episiotomy" (N = 36; mean age 31.4 +/- 4.5 years); and (iii) "not given birth" (N = 50; mean age 28.8 +/- 4.0 years).

Mean overall sexual function score (normal value < 25 points) was 20.5 +/- 8.2 in the elective caesarean group, 19.3 +/- 6.5 in the vaginal delivery group, and 18.8 +/- 9.3 in the nulliparae group (P = 0.731). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men was 28.6% in the elective caesarean group, 19.4% in the vaginal delivery group, and 30.0% in the nulliparae group (P = 0.526).

Overall sexual function of men was not affected by their partner's parity and mode of delivery. An elective cesarean section simply because of concerns about sexual function would not provide additional benefit to men, and could deny women a possible vaginal delivery, which is generally assumed to be safer than cesarean section.