Pregnancy and Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction
Why am I having pain with sex after my pregnancy?
After having your baby there can be general trauma to the area of the vagina, vulva, and perineum. Although the vagina is very elastic in nature and can handle a baby moving through the birth canal, often times is your perineum is not quite as elastic. When you add in a tear or a need for repair to the perineum after the birth of your baby it’s no wonder you’re so tender. Also, there is a normal hormonal drop in estrogen that follows delivery and it continues for breastfeeding moms. These hormonal changes can contribute, too, by thinning your vaginal walls, causing painful dryness and irritation. Vaginal dryness, or atrophic vaginitis, is an irritation of the vagina caused by a thinning and shrinking of the vaginal tissues and decreased lubrication of the vaginal walls. And then, there’s a common physiological component to postpartum pain that can have a mind-body trigger: Your muscles tighten in anticipation of the pain, leading to more pain.
Symptoms of postpartum vaginal dryness:
- Vaginal soreness (may also have itching or burning sensation)
- Annoying and painful intercourse
- Frequent urination and urinary urgency
- Light bleeding after intercourse
Repeated vaginal dryness is likely to continue until you pinpoint the cause of the problem and resolve it either with home remedies or after having it diagnosed and treated by The SHOW Center provider. Contact us to discuss to help you develop a treatment plan that meets your concerns.
*This information does not replace a provider consultation. You should schedule an appointment with your provider if you experience any of these symptoms.