Investigation of the effect type of birth on female sexual function

ABSTRACT Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the mode of delivery on female sexual function. Material and Method: The research was conducted as descriptive and cross-sectional. The population of the study consisted of 1591 women in the central districts of Manisa province and 315 women with a 9-12 month old baby who applied to the family health centers where the study was conducted. Data were collected by the researcher using the Questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Frequency analysis, Independent Sample T-Test, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U Test and One-Way ANOVA were used to evaluate the data. Results: The mean age of the women included in the study was 23.69 ± 3.88, %93,0 of them were married for 1 to 5 years, %82,2 had 1-2 pregnancies, the majority are primary school graduates (vaginal birth: %66,1, cesarean birth: %60,0) and are not working (vaginal birth: %94,4, cesarean birth: %89,6). The rate of episiotomy in the vaginal birth group was %51,4. The mean FSFI score was 25,11 ± 5,47 in the vaginal birth group and 25,36 ± 5,47 in the cesarean section. FSFI sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction subscale scores are above the cut-off point in both vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery groups. But the FSFI scale pain sub-dimension mean score was below the cut-off point in both groups. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, sexual dysfunction was not found in women who had vaginal or caesarean delivery in the long term after delivery. It was concluded that there is no relationship between the mode of delivery and female sexual function. Keywords: Sexual health, female sexual function, mode of delivery, women's health