Pregnancy surges that oxytocin the hormone of love, so it’s not really shocking that sex is still on your mind no matter how far along in your pregnancy you are. At Women’s Health Practice women tell us most prenatal visits are focus on the baby’s health and your health, as they should be, and less about, SEX! Sex during breastfeeding, is also reported to be a big change in both body and mind. Some women are either pleasantly surprised, or embarrassingly shocked to find that their breasts and uterus, and vaginal tissues respond to the breastfeeding baby with erotic feelings and arousal. Only 5% of women will state their sex life is better at 6 months post partum than it was prior to having a baby.
1. Ask about how soon you are going to be able to have sex after delivering, and be sure to ask whether you are in fact cleared for oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
2. Fatigue factor may not be just the lack of sleep and unnerving from the crying you are handling, but fatigue can be a hormonal side effect from the bursts of oxytocin that one gets from breastfeeding. There are hormonal slumps that occur after those surges that can paradoxically make us feel more vulnerable
3. Thyroid issues in breastfeeding moms can be more common, so if you aren’t functioning down there get a simple thyroid screening blood test.
4. Pelvic floor issues, studies show those with the fewest pelvic floor complaints after delivery c-section moms) have less complaints of sex problems. So check checked for the plevic floor health, and consider treatment if you have issues. Early treatment can ward off sexual dysfunction problems.
5. Vaginal dryness is mor normal during breastfeeding with low estrogen, if present during pregnancy it may mean something minor like a yeast infection.
6. Hormones can’t really be ‘balanced’ or ‘unbalanced’ during pregnancy, but use of progesterone can actually worsen sexual discomfort.
7. The simple fixes: lubricants, coconut oil, more foreplay!
8. Worsening of chronic vaginal issues
9. Milk is not a lubricant
10. Nipple infections are from the suckling source, so baby yes, but dad too