What Causes Sexual Reluctance After Childbirth?

Every couple who crowns their relationship with marriage dreams of having a child. However, relationships with passion before birth may suffer a little after becoming a parent. The main reason for this is the hormonal fluctuations in the mother after the birth, while the postpartum recovery process and trying to adapt to the new life can also cause a decrease in sexual desire.

So, how long does sexual reluctance last after giving birth? What causes sexual reluctance after childbirth? Details are in our article…

What Causes Sexual Reluctance After Childbirth?

Tiredness

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful yet challenging and stressful processes for women. Happiness is felt most intensely with the fear and anxiety of the unknown and the excitement of finally having a baby. After birth, the same concern continues with issues such as the baby's health and nutrition. In addition to all this psychological process, the mother's devotion to her baby after birth, of course, causes her to feel tired. This lack of sleep and not being able to take time for oneself can also cause the forgetting of sexuality for a while.

Postpartum Period

There may be sexual reluctance during the puerperium, which covers about 6 weeks after birth. Because some women may experience postpartum depression during this period. Increasing responsibility, fatigue in the body, baby's health and many other issues can trigger depression in mothers. As you begin to adapt to your new life, it is expected that the symptoms of depression will gradually disappear. If you think that you are psychologically worn out, you should definitely contact a specialist psychologist.

Physical Recovery Process

Whether you had a normal or cesarean delivery, you usually need to take a break from sex for about 6 weeks after giving birth. Because in this process, you will have bleeding while the uterus is contracting and trying to return to its old form. Since having intercourse during bleeding increases the risk of infection and prolongs the healing process, you will need to take a break from sex. If you had a normal delivery and an episiotomy was performed, you may still experience sexual reluctance, thinking it would hurt.

Vaginal Dryness

After giving birth, estrogen, known as the female hormone, quickly drops to its previous level. Decreased estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness. Since dryness can also cause pain during intercourse, women may want to stay away from sex with the thought that it will hurt.

Maternal Motivation

After giving birth, the center of a woman's life suddenly becomes her baby. Feeding her and taking care of her health is a priority for most women. For this reason, sexuality can be pushed into the background. In addition, in women who have given birth normally, the vagina can be identified with the baby after birth. This can lead to sexual reluctance.

How Long Does Sexual Reluctance Last After Childbirth?

First of all, it should be known that it is normal to have sexual reluctance for a while after giving birth. In this process, father candidates should be patient and respectful towards their spouses. Whenever the mother feels ready mentally and physically, then sexual intercourse should be started.

Studies on the subject reveal that the sexual reluctance that develops after childbirth usually lasts for 3 months, and after the 3rd month, the couples continue their routine sexual life. If reluctance lasts longer than 3 months, you can talk to your obstetrician or a specialist psychologist.