265 Postpartum Dyspareunia and Sexual Functioning: A Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Introduction Dyspareunia is a common short-term pregnancy complication. Possible risk factors for perineal pain after childbirth include perineal trauma, mode of delivery and breastfeeding. Objective Considering the important implications of dyspareunia on women's quality of life. Our study aims to investigate the prevalence and determinants of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction before and after childbirth. Methods Between November 2018 and December 2019, 150 women in their third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in a prospective cohort study at gynecology and obstetrics Department-Ben Arous Regional Hospital. Dyspareunia and perineal pain after childbirth were evaluated at 6 months postpartum and were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) validated Arabic version. This questionnaire evaluates the different parameters of female sexual function, recommended by the American Foundation for Health and Sexual Function. The collected data were systematically transcribed into a database and database, and their analysis was carried out with the help of the statistical software "SPSS 21" with the use of chi-square tests, and the ANOVA method. Results The mean FSFI pain domain score was 3.68 after delivery. Indeed, in our study, 82% of women reported dyspareunia after delivery. Sixteen percent of women rated the degree of discomfort during penetration after delivery as high and 18 % as very high. At six months postpartum, the degree of dyspareunia was significantly associated with the route of delivery (p = 0,005), perineal injury (p = 0,001) and breastfeeding (p = 0,026). Conclusions Our findings affirm that dyspareunia is a very common complaint after childbirth. Given the high prevalence and its impact on a woman's quality of life, special attention should be paid to this common complaint during the postpartum period. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.