Effect of delivery method on sexual dysfunction

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of delivery on sexual dysfunction in women.

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A total of 142 women who had given birth in the past year, are nursing at the moment and has not experienced postpartum depression participated in the study. Sociodemographic questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed by chi-square (χ²) tests, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression.

Among the participants, 45.8% had given birth via vaginal delivery and 54.2% via cesarean section and 67.7% were experiencing sexual dysfunction. Early postpartum stage (0-6 months) was determined to affect the FSFI score and to increase the risk (odds ratio = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.08-0.72; χ² = 7.20; p < .05). A comparison of the FSFI scores of women in the vaginal delivery group for the first and second 6 months following delivery has yielded a statistically different score across all subdomains of FSFI scores, excluding desire (p < .05).

When evaluated with a consideration of the pelvic floor, this study is important in demonstrating that vaginal delivery and cesarean section do not differ except for a short period of time in terms of sexual functioning.