When to Resume Sexual Activity After Childbirth?
Why is there a lack of desire?
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When to Resume Sexual Activity After Childbirth?
Pregnancy can bring about significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes in a woman's life. Among these changes is the aspect of sexual life after childbirth. So, when should sexual activity be resumed postpartum? Is it common to experience a lack of desire after every birth? What can be done to alleviate concerns? Dr. Mihriban Seyhan Özleme, an Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at Liv Hospital, provides insights.
Why is there a lack of desire?
The return of sexual desire and activity postpartum varies greatly among women. Factors contributing to decreased sexual desire include:
- Postpartum fatigue
- Feeling weak
- Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
- Vaginal dryness
- Incontinence (urinary or fecal)
- Vaginal discharge
How can concerns be alleviated?
To reduce fears and concerns:
- Begin pelvic floor exercises early in the postpartum period
- Treat vaginal dryness induced by breastfeeding appropriately to help restore sexual desire and activity
When is the lack of desire most intense?
- Sexual desire is at its lowest around the third month postpartum.
- Improvement generally begins around the sixth month as underlying organic and psychological factors are managed. This condition is typically independent of the mode of delivery.
Studies have shown no significant difference between vaginal and cesarean deliveries concerning the return to sexual activity and the issues experienced.
Are fluctuations normal after childbirth?
It is important to remember that due to hormonal changes, sexual desire can fluctuate after childbirth. Vaginal dryness and discomfort can be managed with water-based, hormone-free lubricating gels. This condition may persist for up to a year after delivery. By seeking support from your gynecologist, you can continue your postpartum sexual life more comfortably.
