| Brett Farrow
There are many things that pregnant women predict that they are problematic after childbirth. Alert nights, hormonal fluctuations and significant changes in body shape are the usual. However, there is a potential issue usually overlooked: painful sex (dyspareunia). Sex hurts sex after a baby? Unfortunately he often does … in fact he is quite common.
Of course, painful postpartum sex is not guaranteed, but statistics from a study of 1000 women showed that it happens in 85% of women the first time they have sex and 45% still fight with it 3 months later. 23% may still have dyspareunia 18 months later.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why sex can hurt after childbirth and what you can do to overcome this problem…
Why does sex hurt after a baby?
Below are the most common causes of painful sex after a baby:
Wound to perineum or pelvic floor
It is well known that a large number of women end up tearing when they are naturally born. Some women receive episodes, although there is increasing evidence that they are not useful. Tears in the perineum tend to be treated naturally, but some women find that this is one of the main reasons why sex hurts after childbirth.
Depending on how bad the tear is, you can experience dyspareunia later. For example, if you suffer from tears arriving in the anus area, it could mean that you will have painful sex even a year later. Your pelvic floor muscles can also be injured by childbirth. This is true even if you have a caesarean section, since this muscle group is inherently connected. A weakened or injured pelvic floor is a common cause of painful sex after childbirth.
Floating hormones and exhaustion
Hormones go crazy after a baby, as many partners will assure! Transitions of hormonal changes It can play chaos with women’s bodies and feelings in equal measures. It’s not fun! On a natural level, breastfeeding mothers may find that estrogen levels in vaginal fall, which results in thinner tissues, as well as less lubrication and libido. None of these factors have the greatest sex. On the contrary, they can really make the experience painful.
Breastfeeding a baby is ideal for developing it, so this can be something you should go out. Besides, breastfeeding is not necessarily a difference as you still produce milk. Everyone is good, if that is why sex hurts after a baby, you should get back to normal within 6 months.
Let us not forget that physical exhaustion can have similar effects on your libido. Who would feel like sex when suffering from constantly interrupted sleep and full -time emphasis on a tiny person? No libido equals lubrication, and no lubrication can lead to dyspareania.
What to do when sex hurts after childbirth
Most importantly, don’t just ignore the problem. You may be suffering unnecessarily and the same could be applied to your partner. First things first, you need to check in with OB/GYN to make sure there are no serious medical problems behind Dyspareunia. If there is an infection that you may need to seek treatment for it before things can return to normal.
If you are struggling with vaginal dryness, try a personal lubricant or moisturizer and see if this makes a difference. Otherwise you may find relief with estrogen cream from your doctor. It is also worth having a honest and open conversation with your partner about how you feel and what she works and does not work for you. Maybe a little extra support, romance or TLC will make the whole difference.
Painful sex after a baby could mean that you have to check in with a pelvic physiotherapist. Your pelvic floor muscles may be weakened or you may have sensitive perinatal scars. A good pfpt will be able to identify where the issue comes from. This is happening if you were born naturally or had a section C. What can you expect from your first visit? Your therapist will use a series of techniques to help you cope with your dyspnea, as well as to give you exercises you need to do at home. Vaginal dilators could be part of this protocol.
Finally, don’t worry too much – stress tends to make things worse. Sex may hurt after a baby, but it is unlikely to be a permanent problem and with little help and/or perseverance, you should see improvements over time.
Vuva Useful links:
7 reasons for a tight vagina and how to relax
How to use vaginal dilators
How to relax the vaginal muscles, vagina and sex
Vaginal stretch – keeping the form with dilators
Do dilators really work? Yes, and they can improve your sex life!
Purchase for vuva vaginal dilators
