Mode of delivery and pain during intercourse in the postpartum period: Findings from a developing country

•Pain during intercourse is commonly experienced in the postpartum period.•Women are reluctant to seek care despite of reporting pain during intercourse during the postpartum period.•Cesarean deliveries may result in higher risk for reporting of pain during intercourse in the postpartum period.•Prenatal and postpartum care needs to address women's sexual health problems during the postpartum period.

ObjectiveThis study examines the association of the reporting of pain during intercourse in the postpartum period with mode of delivery, and describes women's reports of pain during intercourse and their health care seeking behavior over a period of 40 days–6 months postpartum.MethodsA cross-sectional study recruited women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy from private obstetric clinics affiliated with 18 hospitals in two regions of Lebanon. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted at the women's homes from 40 days to 6 months postpartum. Verbal, informed consent was obtained from all women participating in the study before the interview.ResultsIn a sample of 238 women, 67% reported experiencing pain during intercourse postpartum and 72.3% did not seek care. Women having a cesarean delivery (1.96; CI (1.29–2.63)), who were primiparous (OR = 2.44; CI (2.05–2.83)) and residing in the Mount Lebanon region (OR = 1.25; CI (1.09–1.40)) were significantly more likely to report pain during intercourse postpartum.ConclusionsCesarean births may increase the chances of reporting of pain during intercourse postpartum among primiparous women. Given that the increasing cesarean section rates worldwide are perceived to be protective of women's sexual health, prenatal and postpartum care need to address women's sexual health problems.