Did you lose your mojo in a big way after becoming a new mom?
While doctors say it’s okay to start having sex again around six weeks after having a child, many women report experiencing a decreased sex drive after pregnancy. In fact, some moms don’t feel ready for up to a year.
Sound disconcerting? Relax. It’s quite common, and there is a whole host of reasons why this happens.
According to a recent study from researchers at the University of Michigan, women say the top reasons for a lagging sex drive are fatigue, baby’s sleeping habits and lack of time. But besides the overwhelming tiredness and stress that can come with being a new mother, there are also some major hormonal stuff happening in your body:
Testosterone levels decrease in some women after childbirth, and in addition, breast-feeding releases the hormone prolactin, which inhibits arousal. Estrogen also decreases with breastfeeding, which can affect your vaginal tissues. On a more relatable level, a new mom might be experiencing physical discomfort during sex or some degree of postpartum depression.
Adapting to a new life as a mother can be difficult, and sex gets pushed to the side during this transition period. And because a newborn must be in constant contact with its mother, sometimes the last thing a woman wants when she finally gets a second alone is to be touched.
[Read “Taboo Topics: Pregnancy, Post-Pregnancy and Newborns”]
If you are struggling to restore pre-baby intimacy levels, it can be helpful to see a therapist who can pinpoint problems and restore confidence in the relationship.
As with most things in life, however, the post-baby sex slump varies from woman to woman. The best thing to do is to make the most of the times you have with scheduled “date nights” or by taking advantage of any moments you feel in the mood for intimacy.
Did your sex life grind to a halt after giving birth? How did you bring the romance back into your bedroom?
