ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Epidemiology Volume 8 Number 1 1 of 5 The effect of postpartum perineal trauma on the frequencies perineal pain, urinary incontinence and dyspareunia F Sayiner, N Ozerdo?an, M Tozun, S Giray, N Kosgeroglu, A Unsal Citation F Sayiner, N Ozerdo?an, M Tozun, S Giray, N Kosgeroglu, A Unsal. The effect of postpartum perineal trauma on the frequencies perineal pain, urinary incontinence and dyspareunia. The Internet Journal of Epidemiology. 2009 Volume 8 Number 1. Abstract Aim: To evaluate the effect of postpartum perineal trauma to the frequencies of perineal pain, of urinary incontinence, and of dyspareunia.Material-Methods: This cross sectional study was done between April 1 st and July 31 st 2005 in Eskisehir. Study group was occurred from 1500 women. The women’s first deliveries are vaginal, only one fetus, vertex presentation, term, and normal childbirth weight. Prepared in accordance with the literature a questionnaire was applied with face to face method.Results: Urinary incontinence, perineal pain, and dyspareunia frequencies were higher in women with perineal trauma than women without perineal trauma in their first childbirth (for each one p<0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown that the effect of postpartum perineal trauma urinary incontinence, perineal pain and dyspareunia frequencies increases. INTRODUCTION Perineal trauma at childbirth is a common occurrence and can result from episiotomy or spontaneous lacerations (1). It is the most common operation in obstetrics, with 85% of vaginal births in the United Kingdom still accompanied by episiotomy (2). Episiotomy is a traditional practice, and it often occurs with the first time deliveries with an aim to facilitate childbirth and avoid perineal-vaginal tears (3). Obstetric perineal lacerations are classified as first to fourth degree, depending on their depth. The first degree as only skin and mucosa lacerations, and the second degree as first degree + profound skin stratum and superficial perineum muscle lacerations, and the third degree as second degree + anus mucosa and anal sphincter muscle lacerations, and the fourth degree as third degree + anal and mucosa lacerations (4). Sequelae of obstetric lacerations include chronic perineal pain, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence (5). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of postpartum perineal trauma to the frequencies of perineal pain, of urinary incontinence, and of dyspareunia MATERIAL-METHODS SETTING Eskisehir is a semi-rural province situated in the western part of Turkey. It has a population of 706 750 (356 571 of which are female). The socio-economical level of the city is average compared to other cities in the country. There are significant disparities in the socio-economic characteristics between the quarters of the city. It includes two universities, five hospitals, and also has a cosmopolitan structure. INSTRUMENT Prepared in accordance with the literature (5–9), a questionaire was applied with face to face method. The questionnaire included some sociodemographic characteristics such as the women’s age, first delivery age, educational level, and job. And it included information among the perineal pain, urinary incontinence, and dyspareunia. SUBJECT This cross-sectional study was done from April 1 st to July 31 st 2005 in Eskisehir. Participants’ were 1500 women, visited the Eskisehir Women, Childbirth and Pediatric Diseases Hospital in the study period. The women’s characteristics are their first deliveries are vaginal, only one