Impact of the mode of delivery on female sexual function after childbirth

This cohort study aimed to assess the effect of the mode of delivery on female sexual function (FSF) after childbirth. Out of 256 primiparous women, 200 subjects that completed the study were divided into two groups; women that delivered vaginally and women that had elective cesarean section (CS). They were subjected to a translated version of female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire evaluating desire, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain both antenatally and 12 weeks postpartum. The mean FSFI total score of the two investigated groups demonstrated nonsignificant difference 12 weeks after delivery compared with these scores antenatally. Women that delivered vaginally demonstrated significant decreases in the scores of desire, arousal and lubrication domains 12 weeks after delivery compared with these scores antenatally where other scores demonstrated nonsignificant differences. Women that delivered by CS demonstrated a significant difference in desire domain 12 weeks after delivery compared with these scores antenatally where other scores demonstrated nonsignificant differences. It is concluded that the mode of delivery has nonsignificant effect on the FSF 12 weeks after childbirth. Specifically, vaginal delivery is associated with significant decrease in the desire, arousal and lubrication domains where elective CS is associated with significant decrease in the desire domain.