Perineal management during childbirth and subsequent dyspareunia.

Sexual function following childbirth was studied by means of a retrospective postal questionnaire. Dyspareunia measured on an analogue scale relative to pre-pregnancy values (mean values) was significantly greater three months after a mediolateral episiotomy (35%) than after vaginal delivery with intact perineum (9%) or Caesarean Section (16%) and similar to the value following second degree perineal laceration (29%). At 12 months the latter had returned to pre-pregnancy values, while that following episiotomy remained significantly elevated (17%).