[Evaluation of perineal comfort following delivery in primiparae].

The authors followed a population of 204 primiparous women in order to be able to tackle the causes of those frequent sexual problems that occur after delivery. Obstetric perineal lesions were found in 46 cases of left lateral episiotomies, 104 cases of midline episiotomies and 54 cases where the perineum was said to be intact. Following delivery at the Maternity Unit, those patients who had a perineal incision suffered more without any difference whether the episiotomy was a midline or a lateral one. After a mean of 78 days following delivery, at the post-partum examination, sexual troubles were found to be frequent and 41% complained of dyspareunia. These troubles were scattered in all three series. There was no difference whether the mother was breast-feeding or not in relationship to her sexuality after delivery. The authors conclude that there is no proper correlation between the way the perineum was dealth with surgically and the quality of sexual activity experienced early after delivery.