SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND NORMAL CHILDBIRTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: The sex life is part of the well-being of the individual and is an integral part of overall health. Sexual dysfunction can determine harmful effects on self-esteem of women and their relationships. Objective: To access the influence of vaginal delivery on female sexual health. Material and Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted through an electronic literature search inthe PUBMED and LILACS databases. The terms "Natural Childbirth", "Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological", "Childbirth" and "sexual dysfunction", filtered by female and human sex, were used in the English, Spanish and Portuguese. The survey took place from June to August 2015. Eight articles from PUBMED and five from LILACS were selected addressing sexual dysfunction amongwomen who had normal delivery with or without extraction assistance, with no differentiation of primiparous and multiparous women. Results: Sexual problems are more common in the postpartum period, especially for women who underwent instrumented vaginal delivery, by episiotomy, forceps and/or vacuum extraction. There is no consensus on the association between sexual dysfunction and the delivery approach. Prevalence of sexual dysfunction is higher in the first six months postpartum, but that percentage decreases after that time. Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction amongwomen who had vaginal delivery is considerable in the first months after birth, but after six months this index decreases. Assisted vaginal delivery has led to major health problems and sexual dysfunction. DESCRIPTORS Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological. Delivery, Obstetric. Pregnancy. Perineum.