Evaluation of Female Sexual Functions after Cesarean Section

OpenAlex · English

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our study has been conducted descriptively to determine the sexual functions, the time of returning to sexual intercourse and the factors affecting their sexual functions in the first six months postpartum after cesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The sample group of the study constituted 207 women with 0-6 month-old babies who had given birth by cesarean section.The data have been collected through the face-to-face interview method by using the introductory information form (18 questions) developed by the researchers, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS:The FSFI total score average of the women who participated voluntarily in the study was found to be 20.94±6.9(min-max: 2.40-31.20)points.The FSFI total score of 80.6% of the women (n=167) was below 26.55, which is considered as a score for feminine sexual dysfunction.The decrease in FSFI scores was associated with the time to start sexual intercourse after cesarean section, breastfeeding, duration of marriage, and increasing age of the woman and her partner.CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the sexual functions of women have negatively been affected in the first six months postpartum following cesarean section delivery.Provided that there is no pregnancy complication requiring cesarean section, women who prefer elective cesarean section in order to protect the quality of their sexuality and the structure of their genitals should be provided with information regarding the advantages of normal vaginal delivery, the complications that could be encountered after cesarean section, and potential negative effects of the cesarean section on sexual functions.