Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42678515›Full record

ArticleInternational urogynecology journal2026

Postpartum Sexual Function in Women with Intrapartum Pelvic Floor Muscle Trauma.

Patti Berg-Poppe, Matthew A Barker, Katelin Soodsma, BreAnne Danzi, Whitney Lucas Molitor, Staci Wietfeld, Peyton Groft, Lexie Larsen, Hailey Pullman

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in International urogynecology journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Patti Berg-PoppeDakota Department of Physical Therapy, University of South, 414 East Clark, Vermillion South, SD, 57069, USA. Patti.Berg@usd.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6871-2480
Matthew A BarkerUniversity of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
Katelin SoodsmaAvera McKennan Health Systems, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
BreAnne DanziDakota Psychology Department, University of South, Vermillion, SD, USA.
Whitney Lucas MolitorDakota Department of Occupational Therapy, University of South, Vermillion, SD, USA.
Staci WietfeldDakota Department of Physical Therapy, University of South, 414 East Clark, Vermillion South, SD, 57069, USA.
Peyton GroftDakota Department of Physical Therapy, University of South, 414 East Clark, Vermillion South, SD, 57069, USA.
Lexie LarsenDakota Department of Physical Therapy, University of South, 414 East Clark, Vermillion South, SD, 57069, USA.
Hailey PullmanDakota Department of Physical Therapy, University of South, 414 East Clark, Vermillion South, SD, 57069, USA.

Funding

NIH HHS Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN)NIH HHS Grant UA23X0050
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisSexual dysfunction in postpartum women is common, yet the impact of intrapartum pelvic floor trauma (PFT) on domain-specific sexual recovery remains unclear, and pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) referral patterns in this population are poorly characterized. This study compared postpartum sexual function trajectories from 2 to 6 months in women with and without intrapartum PFT and examined PFPT referral and utilization.

methodsParticipants were recruited from Midwest hospitals in the USA at discharge, postpartum visits, and well-baby checkups. Eligibility required age ≥18, vaginal delivery, English fluency, internet access, and follow-up availability. Women with ≥ grade 2 perineal tears were classified as having PFT. Baseline and follow-up surveys included the Carol Scale and FSFI-9, with Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests used for analyses.

resultsEighty-six women (45 PFT, 41 no-PFT) completed both timepoints. Overall sexual function, lubrication readiness, and vulvar caressing discomfort improved (all p ≤ .020), whereas libido worsened (p = 0.009). Penetration-related pain did not change. Groups did not differ at baseline; at follow-up, women with PFT reported poorer overall function, lubrication, penetration pain, and post-activity pain (p = 0.020 to 0.041). Recovery trajectories were parallel, with the only difference in change magnitude being greater improvement in intercourse pain in the PFT group (p = 0.039). Among participants reporting PFPT access, only 33.9% were both referred and seen; 86.9% of those who received PFPT reported symptom improvement.

conclusionsWomen with PFT carried a higher residual symptom burden at 6 months, despite recovery trajectories parallel to those without PFT. Penetration-related pain was the most persistent symptom. Low PFPT referral rates represent a critical and actionable care gap. Postpartum sexual health assessments should include domain-specific screening for penetration-related discomfort and libido, with proactive follow-up for women with PFT and early referral to PFPT.

Indexed as

LubricationPelvic traumaPenetration painPostpartum recoverySexual dysfunction

Identifiers

PMID42678515

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.