Peerawat Imkamol, MD¹, Puckjira Iaocharoen, MD¹, Athita Chanthasenanont, MD¹, Komsun Suwannarurk, MD¹

Objective: To compare and investigate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among nulliparous pregnant women following vaginal delivery (NL) versus cesarean delivery (CS) at 6 weeks and 12 weeks postpartum, as well as associated factors.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective cohort study conducted at Thammasat University Hospital (TUH), Pathum Thani, Thailand, between August 2024 and January 2025. Subjects were parturient delivered at TUH during period of the study. Participants were divided into NL and CS groups. FSD was evaluated using the validated Thai version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum, alongside demographic data.

Results: Three hundred seventy-five parturients were recruited and divided into NL, with 189 cases, and CS, with 186 cases, groups. Mean age of participants was 31.1 years old. Demographic baseline of both groups was comparable. At 6 weeks, prevalence of FSD in the NL and CS were 78.3% and 79.0%, respectively (p=0.90). Prevalence of FSD decreased to 37% and 43% in NL and CS groups, respectively, at 12 weeks postpartum (p=0.25). Dyspareunia of CS group was higher than NL group at 12 weeks postpartum (p=0.04). Early FSD at 6 weeks predicted persistent dysfunction at 12 weeks, regardless of delivery mode (p=0.041).

Conclusion: Prevalence of FSD were 78.6% and 40.0% at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum, respectively. Type of delivery was not influenced by the FSD prevalence. Parturients who delivered by cesarean route had more dyspareunia than those who delivery by vaginal route.

Received 9 December 2025 | Revised 18 December 2025 | Accepted 19 December 2025

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.2.03917