There are many doubts about the resumption of sex in the postpartum period, because beliefs and myths permeate the imaginary about the implementation of sexuality after childbirth.

Return to sexual experiences in the postpartum period is individual, that is, it will vary from woman to woman. Some will soon feel ready to resume sexual activity shortly after giving birth, while others will take longer to recover physically and emotionally.

Changes begin to occur during pregnancy, with physical and emotional changes. It is during pregnancy that insecurity and longing begin to appear, combined with joy and expectation – Photo: pexels / ND

Pregnancy, the postpartum period, and breastfeeding are moments in a woman’s life cycle that, in addition to bodily and emotional changes, affect her sexuality.

What should couples know when it comes to postpartum sex?

This transition from marriage to fatherhood, that is, when a couple becomes a family, gives rise to changes in the woman’s body, changes in priorities, changes in values ​​… Anxiety, insecurity, physical and mental exhaustion set in.

Changes begin to occur during pregnancy, with physical and emotional changes. It is during pregnancy that uncertainty and anxiety begin to appear, combined with joys and expectations.

Pregnancy also changes the structure of sexual relationships. Every woman, every couple will have to deal with their own realities and fantasies. There are no rules, there are couples who have medical restrictions, while others have libido and sexual activity at their best.

It is important to always observe sexual intimacy. With or without restrictions, care must be taken with petting, touching, tenderness, companionship, kissing and hugging… Sexual activity is not limited to penetration!

Depending on the birth, there can be physical and emotional consequences. Some women experience pain as a result of a caesarean section or an episiotomy, an incision in the perineum that can be made for vaginal delivery.

There are also emotional impacts if the birth was difficult or traumatic. It is necessary to regain self-confidence, it is necessary to recognize oneself in order to reduce the interference that emotional changes can cause in a woman’s sexuality.

Sexual sensations can occur, for example, during breastfeeding. Sucking milk by a baby can cause erotic sensations. The chest is an erogenous zone capable of generating sexual pleasure. Many women suffer from this conflict. Realize that it is the stimulation, not the child’s sexual desire, that is the pleasure.

And if you don’t have the sex drive to breastfeed, that’s fine too. Remember that every woman has her own functioning? When a woman breastfeeds, there is a decrease in estrogen levels (the hormone responsible for sexual desire) and an increase in prolactin levels, which suppress desire and prevent lubrication. Are hormones to blame? Yes and no.

I explain: two hormones interfere with sexual life (without desire and without lubrication). Therefore, interference happens, but it is not decisive. If you wish, you can have a pleasurable sex life at this stage of life with the stimulation that suits you. The use of lubricants is encouraged.

In my clinical consultations and on the Sexo sem Dúvida portal, along with reading scientific articles, I show that women who are already better at managing their sexuality before motherhood experience the changes in a more positive way. And many have sex drive and sex life during pregnancy, after childbirth and breastfeeding.

It is a process that goes through the realization of a new body and a new life story. The bodily changes that occur during the postpartum period can interfere with sexuality. The body has a new story to tell. But be careful, dissatisfaction with the new body will interfere with sexual childbirth.

In addition, the changes that occur after childbirth usually cause subjective and interpersonal changes. He turns a daughter into a mother, changes body image, rethinks sexuality and motherhood itself.

True, there are some difficulties with the return to sexual activity after childbirth. Whether it is caring for a child that exhausts a woman physically and emotionally, a lack of willingness to partner, unattractiveness due to changes in the body, breastfeeding that can be uncomfortable and interfere with sexual desire, frustration caused by expectation. and the reality of having a baby, fear of another pregnancy, postpartum depression and possible pain.

But there is also the opportunity to discover a new body and new forms of arousal. And yet, the resumption of the relationship of the couple and the rethinking of sexual life. Knowing why we are together and the new meaning of sex in this life cycle. Communication is again key! What will it be like to have sex again? We need a dialogue and a desire to find out …