Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Cyprus Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.9, sa.2, ss.113-118, 2024 (ESCI, TRDizin)
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our study was conducted descriptively in order to determine the sexual functions, the time of returning to sexual intercourse and the factors affecting sexual functions in the first six months postpartum of women after cesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample group of this study consisted of 207 women with 0-6 month-old babies who had given birth by cesarean section. The data were collected through a face-to-face interview method 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 this study was found to be 20.94±6.9 (minimum-maximum: 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 being the score for feminine sexual dysfunction. This decrease in FSFI scores was associated with the time to resuming sexual intercourse after cesarean section, breastfeeding, the duration of the marriages, and the increasing ages of the women and their partners. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the sexual functions of women were negatively 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 which can be encountered after cesarean section, and the potential negative effects of cesarean sections on sexual functions.