Dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction after vaginal delivery in Thai primiparous women with episiotomy.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Episiotomy remains commonly practiced in Thailand. There are limited data on its impacts on sexuality among Asian women during the first postdelivery year.

AIMS:

The aim was to study dyspareunia and sexual function at 3-12 months after vaginal delivery in Thai primiparous women with episiotomy.

METHODS:

A total of 190 participants were approached on Day 2 postpartum. Of these, 93 sexually active women were evaluated for dyspareunia and sexual function at 3 months by using 10-cm visual analog scale and the validated Thai version of Female Sexual Function Index (TFSFI). TFSFI < 26.5 was defined as having potential sexual dysfunction. At 6 and 12 months, sexual function was evaluated by telephone interview.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The prevalence of dyspareunia at 3 months and the changes of TFSFI scores during the first postdelivery year were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS:

The average age of the participants, over 90% of whom were high school finishers, was 24. Their partners were around 3 years older, and the median partnership duration was 3 years. At 3 months, 30.1% of participants reported dyspareunia. There was no association between dyspareunia and the following characteristics: pre-pregnancy dyspareunia, newborn's head circumference and birthweight and breast-feeding (P > 0.05 for all). Sexual dysfunction was demonstrated in 66.7% at 3 months, 31.0% at 6 months, and 14.9% at 12 months. From 3 to 12 months, the median TFSFI scores in all domains increased significantly. There was no difference of the scores in all domains at 3 and 12 months between women with and without dyspareunia at 3 months. However, at 6 months, those without dyspareunia had better scores in pain, orgasm, satisfaction, and total scores (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION:

Dyspareunia at 3 months is common in Thai primiparous women with episiotomy. Those with dyspareunia have a slower resumption of normal sexual function.

• Authors: Chenchit Chayachinda, Vitaya Titapant, Anuree Ungkanungdecha
• Journal: The journal of sexual medicine (J Sex Med) Vol. 12 Issue 5 Pg. 1275-82 (May 2015) ISSN: 1743-6109 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25756828 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Topics

• Adult
• Coitus (physiology, psychology)
• Delivery, Obstetric (adverse effects, psychology, statistics & numerical data)
• Dyspareunia (epidemiology, etiology, psychology)
• Episiotomy (adverse effects, statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• Pain Measurement
• Postpartum Period
• Pregnancy
• Sexual Behavior (psychology, statistics & numerical data)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Thailand (epidemiology)
• Young Adult