Why Decrease Sexual Activity In Pregnancy And Postpartum

Sexual behavior depends on:

Age, culture, relationship, physical changes, discomfort,

Fear of fetal damage, partner sexual function.

Causes in pregnancy:

• Awkwardness of having sex
• Breast tenderness
• Decreased libido
• Dyspareunia
• Fatigue
• Fear of injury to fetus
• Genital vasocongestion
• Negative body image
• Physical discomfort
• Urinary frequency and urgency

Causes in postpartum:

• Dyspareunia
• Episiotomy pain
• Fatigue
• Milk leakage
• Nipple tenderness
• Sexual role changes

Hormonal effects :

• Progesterone – responsible for physical and mental changes
• Estrogen – can affect sexual desire and function
• Oxytocin – release during orgasm can cause uterine contractions
• Prolactin – affect sexual desire