Written by Editorial Team
Experiencing painful sex after delivery is not uncommon and is known as dyspareunia. Many women go through this as their bodies recover from the physical and hormonal changes of pregnancy and childbirth.
When you become parents, you already find it hard to make time for some love-making, and if that pains or hurts in anyone, it can be a huge disappointment. Studies reveal that sexual discomfort and pain is not uncommon in women, with 9 out of every 10 new mothers going through pain during their first intercourse after having a baby. About 1/4th of women complain of painful sex even after 18 months after their delivery. Let’s look into probable causes and what can be done about them.
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As a generic rule, new moms are advised not to have vaginal sex till about 6 weeks after delivery, which is also the time for 6 week post-partum appointment with the doctor. Some women may be advised to abstain from sex even longer especially if they have had a tear or an episiotomy. Sex needs to be pleasurable, hence it is important that there is no risk of infection or injury to lacerations. Thus, a go-ahead from the doctor is mandatory. You should not be bleeding, there should not be any injuries and you should be feeling like making love. Not only your body, but your mind should also be willing to be intimate with your partner.
So what if you have waited long enough, the contraceptive has been taken care of, the baby is giving enough time and you are very much in the mood, but wham! Sex is not like before, and it hurts. Though common, painful sex (dyspareunia) after childbirth is not normal and needs to be addressed. More on sex life after childbirth here.
The medical name for pain during intercourse is dyspareunia. This may be defined as pain that occurs in the woman’s genitals, before, during or after having sex. This pain can be recurrent or persistent. About 45 % of women suffer from dyspareunia at some point in their life. Sexual problems in women are highly prevalent, though they are poorly understood.
Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) after childbirth is relatively common, especially in the early postpartum period. The prevalence of dyspareunia can vary depending on the study population and the definition used for dyspareunia, but it is estimated that approximately 30% to 45% of women experience dyspareunia during the first few months after giving birth.
There are several factors that can contribute to dyspareunia after childbirth. Some common reasons that sex may not be as comfortable as before you had a baby can be:
A C-section delivery (cesarean section) is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. While a C-section delivery can have benefits in certain medical situations, it does not necessarily guarantee that you will not experience painful intercourse (dyspareunia) afterward.
The recovery process after a C-section can vary from person to person. Some women may have a smooth recovery with minimal discomfort, while others may experience more significant pain during the healing process. Factors that can influence the recovery and the possibility of painful intercourse include:
The point to conclude is that sex is not supposed to be painful, and if it is, there is something that your body is trying to tell you and it needs specialized medical assistance.
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