Who else was told “you’re clear to exercise and have sex” at your 6-week appointment, so then you went and had sex and attempted to run a mile, and realized “Oh, this doesn’t feel the same. Is this just how it is now?”
The reality is that even though most women are cleared for sex and exercise at their 6 week appointment, that does not mean their body is suddenly ready for rigorous activities. If you have pain or other issues with sex postpartum, please know that it is common and it makes sense. In reality, your hormones have probably not rebalanced, your muscles have not fully recovered from the impact of pregnancy and delivery, and your pelvic bones have not re-aligned after 9 months of pregnancy. These factors can all contribute to postpartum sexual dysfunction (a fancy term for issues with sex).
In addition to the physical factors that contribute to postpartum sexual dysfunction, there is also an emotional component. You understandably may not be emotionally ready to partake in sex after going through so much change and possibly trauma, and your pelvic floor may be guarding in response to your emotions and feelings.
Some contributors to postpartum sexual dysfunction are:
- Pelvic floor muscle tension and guarding
- Hormonal changes with breastfeeding
- Emotion and trauma
- Postural changes from pregnancy
- Scarring - internal or external
However, just because postpartum sexual dysfunction is common and makes sense, it does not mean you have to live with the pain and other symptoms forever. This is what pelvic PT is for.
We specialize in treating the contributing factors to painful intercourse. You can, and deserve to, get back to an enjoyable sex life. We are here!
