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Postpartum Dyspareunia

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Postpartum Dyspareunia, Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction

  • See Also
  1. Dyspareunia
  2. Female Sexual Dysfunction
  3. Chronic Pelvic Pain
  4. Vaginismus
  5. Vulvodynia
  6. Atrophic Vaginitis
  7. Vaginal Dryness
  • Epidemiology
  1. Dyspareunia present after first deliveries in 41% at 3 months and 22% at 6 months
  • Symptoms
  1. Dyspareunia following Vaginal Delivery
  2. Exacerbated by Vaginal Dryness (treat with Vaginal Lubricant as first line therapy)
    1. Hypoestrogenic states (e.g. Breast Feeding)
    2. Psychosocial factors leading to decreased arousal
  • Differential Diagnosis
  1. See Dyspareunia
  2. See Female Sexual Dysfunction
  3. Vulvodynia (Pelvic Floor Muscle Tenderness, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction)
  4. Infection (e.g. Vaginitis)
  • Management
  1. See Dyspareunia
  2. Exclude other causes (see above)
  3. Vaginal Lubricant (first-line)
  4. Revision perineoplasty has been used in severe, refractory cases
    1. Painful perineal scarring
    2. Granulation tissue
    3. Laceration breakdown
    4. Significant anatomic distortion
    5. Poorly healed perineal Lacerations
  • Prognosis
  1. Prolonged course due to sclerotic healing (e.g. perineal Stretching and Lacerations, operative vaginal deliveries)
  • References
  1. Hill (2021) Am Fam Physician 103(10):597-604 [PubMed]