Factors Associated with the Degree of Sexual Disability in Patients with Postpartum Low Back Pain

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors correlated with low back pain during postpartum sex life in patients with postpartum low back pain. Methods: Overall, 22 patients were participated in this study, who had developed low back pain during their pregnancy or raising their infant. The Oswestry Disability Index version 2.0 section 8 (ODI-8) (sex life, 0-5) was used to assess the degree of low back pain during postpartum sex life at their first visit to rehabilitation. Additionally, the following factors were investigated as candidate risk factors: age at the first visit, disease duration, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain, presence or absence of low back pain during the pregnancy, childbirth methods, working or not, lumbar lordosis, and sacral slope. The correlations between the ODI-8 and candidate risk factors were analyzed, and multiple regression analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors for low back pain during postpartum sex life for the factors significantly correlated with the ODI-8. Results: Low back pain during postpartum sex life was observed in 68% patients. The presence of low back pain during the pregnancy and lumbar lordosis was positively and negatively correlated with ODI-8, respectively. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of low back pain during the pregnancy and decreased lumbar lordosis were independent risk factors for low back pain during postpartum sex life. Conclusion: The presence of low back pain during the pregnancy and decreased lumbar lordosis might be independent risk factors for low back pain during postpartum sex life.