Lack
of sex drive (lack of libido) is common in women, but quite rare
in men. The American Medical Association has estimated
that several million US women suffer from what doctors there
call 'female sexual arousal disorder' (FSAD).
A slow-down or even complete cessation of libido is a
completely normal part of the postpartum experience, and is
really to be expected. As a woman's hormones plummet
after pregnancy, this directly lowers her interest in sex.
It may, in fact, take nine months to one year for a return to
the pre-pregnancy hormonal status.
In one study of postpartum women, 20 percent had little
or no desire for sex three months after delivery, and another 21
percent had a complete loss of desire or aversion to sexual
activity.
A number of factors contribute to these feelings;
First,
your sex drive has to compete with the overwhelming
fatigue
that results from taking care of a newborn.
New babies are demanding, they are libido
annihilators in disguise. They require
round-the-clock attention and a great deal of
physical contact. This can be both physically
and emotionally draining. Breast feeding is
another cause of low libido.
During breastfeeding, the menstrual cycle is
delayed. Also the milk let down reflex might
be triggered during lovemaking, which might be a
libido buster. Sore nipples with constant
breast feeding don't make for a woman feeling sexy
and alluring, an essential component to an increase
in libido. When you finally have a moment to
yourself, you may need a break from intense physical
attachment, making sex low on your list of
priorities.
Second,
your body is healing from the ordeal of
labor
and delivery. Major hormonal shifts are taking
place that can make you feel off balance. You
may also worry that
intercourse will
be painful, and for many women, the first
sexual encounters after childbirth are
uncomfortable. Also, your body is still
recovering from
giving birth, and you may not feel as
attractive as usual. These feelings can have a
dramatic impact your body image and make you feel
less sexy and desirable.
Third,
you may consciously or subconsciously fear becoming
pregnant again. Evolution may help explain this.
In nature, mother animals rarely mate when they're
busy rearing their young. Their bodies just
wouldn't be up to the additional burden of another
pregnancy. The same may be true of women.
There are other factors too to take
into consideration, such as physical and
psychological causes.
Physical
causes may include Anaemia, which is very common in
women because of iron loss during periods,
alcoholism, drug abuse, major diseases such as
diabetes, prescribed drugs, particularly
tranquillizers, and hormone abnormalities.
Psychological causes are very common.
It's understandable that when a woman is having a
bad time emotionally, she may lose interest in sex.
These causes include depression, stress and
overwork, anxiety, sexual abuse or rape,
relationship problems and difficult living
conditions, eg sharing a home with parents or
parents-in-law.
The good news is that most women report that this
decrease in libido is temporary. As your baby
grows and your body comes back into shape and you start
getting time for yourself once again, your libido will
come back. And if it doesn't, do consult a doctor.
Becoming a mother is no reason to accept abstinence.
Lack
of sex drive (lack of libido) is common in women, but quite rare
in men. The American Medical Association has estimated
that several million US women suffer from what doctors there
call 'female sexual arousal disorder' (FSAD).
The
