Episiotomy and the development of postpartum dyspareunia and anal incontinence in nulliparous females.

OBJECTIVE The impacts of an episiotomy on a woman's sex life and ability to relax the pelvic musculature remain largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of an episiotomy on the development of postpartum dyspareunia and anal incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 200 patients participated in the present study. The patients were grouped as follows: vaginal delivery with episiotomy (Group 1, N=100) and Caesarian section (Group 2, N=100). An interview, which asked about the presence of dyspareunia or anal incontinence, was conducted with the participants at 12 weeks postpartum. RESULTS The mean age (years) of Group 1 was 22.6±4.4, and the mean age of Group 2 was 24.1±4.6. Anal incontinence was detected in 4 patients (4%) in Group 1 and 2 patients (2%) in Group 2. Dyspareunia was present in 21 patients (21%) in Group 1 and 8 patients (8%) in Group 2. No significant differences were detected in the severity of anal incontinence between the two groups. The amount of time to the first coitus following delivery and the total amount of intercourse was compared between the two groups. CONCLUSION It appears that episiotomies do not lead to anal incontinence. However, episiotomies may cause dyspareunia, a condition that may negatively affect a women's sex life. Therefore, routine episiotomies are not suggested.