Sex After Giving Birth: Both Men and Women Experience Highs and Lows in Sexual Desire

First Posted: Aug 01, 2013 10:12 AM EDT
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Women who have just given birth will experience vaginal soreness and sheer exhaustion for a period, and for returning to regular sexual activity, for some, it might take longer than others. Whether the mother gave birth vaginally or by C-section, health care providers recommend at least four to six weeks before resuming sexual activity as this allows time for the cervix to close up, postpartum bleeding to stop and any tears or repaired lacerations to finally heal. Moods based on desire for sex will also change post birth for women as they are healing.

Yet a recent study shows that both men and women who are in committed relationships with women who have just given birth will experience high and low sexual desire upon the arrival of a new child.

According to the study, doctors may see changes that are linked to social factors related to raising a new baby, rather than physical changes related to the birth itself. For example, the most common reasons partners rank low sexual desire in the post-partum period were the following: fatigue, too little time due to the baby's sleeping habits, and stress.

These same factors also play a large role in the mother's desire, according to background information from the study.

Researchers analyzed information from 114 partners, looking at mostly men but also women who had given birth in the past seven years. Participants were asked to answer a serious of questions regarding their level of sexual desire and engagement of sexual activity three months after birth.

The study showed that about one-third of partners had engaged in sexual intercourse with the birth mother within six weeks following childbirth. The study also found that one-third of partners had said they performed oral sex on the birth mother within six weeks following birth.

Despite what health experts suggest, the study shows that couples may be engaging in sexual activity even before recommended. "Our research suggests that individuals are engaging in a range of sexual behaviors before that," said study researcher Sari van Anders, an assistant professor of psychology and women's studies at the University of Michigan, via Live Science

More information regarding the study can be found in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

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