Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate post-operative
sexual activity among women who have undergone
obstetric fistula repair.
Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional
study recruited married women
who had undergone successful obstetric fistula repair who were attending reunion
activities at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria, between March 13
and March 15, 2014. Participants were interviewed regarding penetrative vaginal intercourse
after surgery, and any changes in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction,
and the presence of coital pain compared with before they experienced
obstetric fistula.
Results: There were 102 patients who participated in interviews; 23 (22.5%) reported
not being able to engage in penetrative vaginal intercourse and 12 (52%) of these
patients
ascribed this to a “tight” or “narrow” vagina. Compared with the pre-fistula
period, 63 (61.7%) patients reported reduced sexual desire, 57 (55.9%) reported lack
of or inadequate lubrication during intercourse, 12 (11.8%) reported anorgasmia, and
60 (58.8%) reported reduced attainment of orgasm. Dyspareunia was reported by 48
(47.1%) patients; 43 (90%) experienced superficial or deep dyspareunia, and 5 (10%)
experienced both. A lack of and lower sexual satisfaction were reported by 20 (19.6%)
and 40 (39.2%) patients, respectively.
Conclusion: Following obstetric fistula repair, many women experienced difficulty engaging
in penetrative vaginal intercourse and reported sexual dysfunction. Management
of sexual dysfunction should be part of fistula rehabilitation programs.
