ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CESAREAN SECTION AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN STERILIZED IN BRAZIL

Pacagnella, RdC⁽¹⁾; Vieira, EM⁽²⁾; Rodrigues Jr., OM⁽³⁾

⁽¹⁾1- University of São Paulo – School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto ⁽²⁾University of São Paulo – School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto ⁽³⁾Instituto Paulista de Sexualidade

Introduction: In Brazil there is a peculiar situation with relates to the contraceptive option: only two methods prevail, the pill and the female sterilization (FS). The sterilization many times is associated to cesarean section without medical indication what contributes to the high prevalence of cesarean section in Brazil. Justifications to the cesarean operations in Brazil would yet be the fear of pain of the childbirth and the idea of preserving the sexual function. Objective: The present study objective was to verify the occurrence of sexual dysfunction among women submitted to FS and the variables associated to it. Methods: Survey of 235 cases (of a total 1.826 cases), by inquiry of sexual function among women sterilized by the public health system in Ribeirão Preto (SP - Brazil) between 2000 and 2004. The instrument used was the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) adapted for the Brazilian context. Results: The women were 35,9 years old on average and they were sterilized on average at 33,3 years; 89,8% were in marital union, 93,4% referred to have a good matrimonial relationship. The alive children's average was 3,2; 8,8% of the gestations resulted abortion, 71,2% resulted vaginal childbirths and 28,8%, cesarean section; 6,8% referred pelvic pain. Association was observed between sexual dysfunction and the variables: pelvic pain, number of pregnancies, number of vaginal childbirths and number of cesarean section. Conclusion: The presence of sexual dysfunction was associated to repeated cesarean section, however, in spite of cesarean be risk factor for pelvic pain, in the present study the cesarean section did not come as confusion variable and it was directly associated to sexual dysfunction, pointing the need of more studies to confirm that association.