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Long-Term Sexual Function After Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery
|September 16, 2017
Summary
Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) impact sexual health long-term, with nearly half of women and 28% of male partners experiencing sexual dysfunction years after delivery. Infrequent intercourse was a common issue for both.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Sexual Health Research
- Clinical Follow-up Studies
Background:
- Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) are linked to significant short- and long-term health issues.
- Long-term sexual function and satisfaction following OASIS remain understudied in both women and their partners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term sexual function and satisfaction in women with a history of OASIS.
- To assess the sexual satisfaction of male partners of women who have experienced OASIS.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up study of women from the FORCAST prospective cohort (2011-2013) with a history of OASIS.
- 47 women and 25 male partners completed validated online questionnaires (FSFI for women, GRISS for both) at a mean of 45 months post-delivery.
Main Results:
- 47% of women met criteria for female sexual dysfunction (FSFI); 34% of women and 28% of male partners showed sexual dysfunction (GRISS).
- Infrequency of intercourse was the most frequently reported issue on the GRISS for both women and partners.
- 62% of women had subsequent deliveries.
Conclusions:
- Significant rates of sexual dysfunction persist in women and their male partners up to 3 years after OASIS.
- Further research comparing outcomes in women with and without OASIS history is warranted to clarify the injury's role in long-term sexual dysfunction.