Sex is great! You may wonder, “Why would I not want to have it with my partner?” That is until the day comes when you notice that you misplaced your libido.
Before you, or your partner, panic, you need to know that every adult experiences high and lower sex drives throughout their lifetime. It can happen for many reasons. Before you can find a way to get your mojo back, you must figure out what drained it in the first place. The most common causes include:
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Elevated stress levels
- Hormonal changes
All three of these things can occur after having a baby. New parents often feel exhausted while pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding can affect your hormones. Having a baby can push your sex drive down to zero, but that doesn’t mean it will stay there forever.
Women who have not had children can also experience a change in libido. Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use can play a role as well as mental health and medical conditions.
Getting Your Groove Back After Having a Baby
You should never pressure yourself into regaining your sex drive. This will only add stress and may have the opposite effect. New parents are not always able to be spontaneous but you can still schedule together time. This doesn’t have to involve intercourse, either. Make sure you maintain your connection, and the libido will eventually return.
Lubrication is also important if you have recently given birth or are breastfeeding or have started menopause. Hormonal changes can cause dryness, which can make the sexual experience unpleasant (and won’t do your libido any favors).
Maintain good communication and be considerate of each other’s needs. If you are concerned about intimacy changes, a doctor can help. Contact Women’s Health to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN.
