effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 150 primiparous women in postpartum period, who attended the family planning or vaccination clinics, were enrolled for the study. Eighty-one had vaginal delivery with episiotomy and 69 had experienced cesarean section. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index within 3 and 6 months postpartum. About 29% in vaginal delivery group and 37% in cesarean delivery group had resumed their sexual intercourses four weeks after delivery [p=0.280].There were no significant differences between mode of delivery and sexual functioning, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. The present study showed that postpartum sexual functioning was not associated with the type of delivery