{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,5]],"date-time":"2026-10-05T23:02:05Z","timestamp":1791241325260,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,13]],"date-time":"2024-04-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1712966400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,13]],"date-time":"2024-04-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1712966400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100009042","name":"Universidad de Sevilla","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100009042","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Arch Gynecol Obstet"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Purpose<\/jats:title><jats:p>The effects of episiotomy and second-degree tears on postpartum sexual function are key areas of enquiry in women\u2019s health research. Episiotomy and second-degree tears are common procedures and injuries that occur during childbirth. Understanding their impact on post-childbirth sexuality is crucial to women\u2019s overall well-being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between episiotomy, second-degree tears, and post childbirth sexuality.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>A cross-sectional design was employed, including 83 women who gave birth to C\u00e1ceres in 2017. Participants were evaluated based on sociodemographic and sexual health factors.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>No significant differences were found in dyspareunia or sexual function between women who underwent episiotomies and those with second-degree tears. However, women who underwent episiotomies waited longer before resuming sexual activity after childbirth. Factors such as age, number of previous births, employment status, educational level, and breastfeeding status affected the timing and frequency of postpartum sexual activity.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>Dyspareunia negatively affects various aspects of sexual function. When comparing episiotomy and second-degree tears, their impacts on postpartum sexual function were similar. However, episiotomy delays the resumption of sexual activity. Sociodemographic factors significantly influence postpartum sexual health. These findings highlight the importance of individualised interventions and support for new mothers during the postpartum period to address potential sexual health concerns.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1007\/s00404-024-07494-2","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,13]],"date-time":"2024-04-13T08:01:50Z","timestamp":1712995310000},"page":"2761-2769","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Comparative study of postpartum sexual function: Second-degree tears versus episiotomy outcomes"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"309","author":[{"given":"Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9","family":"Fern\u00e1ndez-Fern\u00e1ndez","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1552-3579","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alejandro Jes\u00fas","family":"de Medina-Moragas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,4,13]]},"reference":[{"issue":"5","key":"7494_CR1","first-page":"635","volume":"58","author":"M Trento","year":"2021","unstructured":"Trento M, Charrier L, Salassa M, Merlo S, Passera P, Cavallo F, Porta M (2021) A cross-sectional survey on impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on glycaemic control, physical activity, and mood in people with type 1 diabetes: the 3LOCK survey. 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Furthermore, each author certifies that this material or similar material has not been and will not be submitted to or published in any other publication before its appearance in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Authorship declaration"}},{"value":"Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent to participate"}},{"value":"We sought guidance from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the C\u00e1ceres province. Following a comprehensive assessment of our study design and methodology, the CEIC determined that our research, which utilized an anonymized database and did not entail any direct intervention or interaction with the participants, was exempt from formal ethical approval. All participants were required to provide informed consent prior to participating in the study, and were informed of the study\u2019s purpose and nature. This research was not financially supported by any public, commercial, or non-profit organizations. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. All procedures conducted in studies involving human participants were conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set forth by the institutional research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments.","order":5,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Compliance with ethical standards"}},{"value":"In the future, this study\u2019s findings can be used to formulate hypotheses that address its limitations. For example, further research could include a control group of women without tears or episiotomy, and expand the sample size. It is apparent that couples may experience anxiety when resuming sexual activity following episiotomy or tearing. Therefore, it is important for midwives to evaluate sexual function during postpartum care to assist couples. Midwives who assess postpartum sexual function should prioritize several key aspects. These include specialized training in sexual health, creating a confidential and comfortable environment for discussion, obtaining informed consent from women, using validated questionnaires to assess sexual function, initiating open-ended discussions to encourage participation, maintaining a non-judgmental approach throughout the process, addressing prevalent concerns sensitively and effectively, and providing educational resources to support women\u2019s understanding of their own sexuality after childbirth. In addition, it is essential for midwives to develop a standardized process for referring patients to specialized care when needed and arrange personalized follow-up appointments. It is also important for midwives to approach postpartum sexuality with cultural sensitivity when working with diverse populations facing challenges in this area. Thorough documentation of all interactions should be maintained while ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the women. Providing comprehensive care includes addressing sexual health concerns, and midwives can utilize research findings to provide appropriate guidance on resuming sexual activity after various types of perineal injuries, considering individual recovery times. Informing women about the anticipated timeline for resuming sexual intercourse, specifically in relation to spontaneous tears and episiotomies, can assist them in establishing realistic expectations and reducing their anxiety. In light of this, midwives can tailor postpartum care plans based on whether a woman has experienced a tear or has undergone an episiotomy. For example, additional check-ups or supplementary resources may be offered to women who have undergone an episiotomy, as they may require more time before feeling comfortable engaging in sexual activity again. Emphasizing the emotional dimension, this study highlights the importance of providing emotional support during the postpartum period. Midwives have the opportunity to collaborate with psychologists and therapists to provide emotional support for women experiencing difficulties in postpartum sexual recovery. By facilitating open dialogue, midwives can encourage women to have honest conversations with their partners regarding their fears, expectations, and boundaries regarding sexual activity after childbirth. This collaborative approach has the potential to enhance couples\u2019 relationships and help them manage their expectations. Furthermore, these findings may provide valuable insights for future research on interventions aimed at assisting women in resuming sexual activities comfortably and efficiently. In clinical practice, midwives should consider individualized interventions based on educational background, marital status, and breastfeeding status. Recognizing that the process of sexual recovery is dynamic in nature, it is important for midwives to routinely identify emerging issues and address them accordingly.","order":6,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Relevance to clinical practice"}}]}}