Prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Banaei M 1 , Kariman N 2 , Ozgoli G 2 , Nasiri M 3 , Ghasemi V 4 , Khiabani A 5 Show all authors , Dashti S 6 , Mohamadkhani Shahri L 1

Affiliations 

  • 1 Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 2 Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 3 Department of Biostatistics, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • 4 Asadabad Faculty of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran
  • 5 Mother and Child Welfare Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
  • 6 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 2021 Apr;153(1):14-24.
PMID: 33300122 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13523

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dyspareunia is one of the most common postpartum sexual dysfunctions.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia.

SEARCH STRATEGY: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched to July 2019 using keywords including 'perineal pain,' 'dyspareunia,' and 'sexual pain'.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Observational studies on the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently reviewed articles and extracted data. Study heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 index; publication bias by Egger and Begg tests.

MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-two studies enrolling 11 457 women were included. Based on meta-analysis, the overall estimated prevalence of dyspareunia was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29%-41%). The prevalence was 42% (95% CI, 26%-60%) at 2 months, 43% (95% CI, 36%-50%) at 2-6 months, and 22% (95% CI, 15%-29%) at 6-12 months postpartum. Begg test showed no significant bias in data related to the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia (p = 0.466).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia was 35% and decreased with increasing postpartum duration. Given the high prevalence and its impact on a woman's quality of life, special attention should be paid to this common complaint during the postpartum period.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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