Sex after pregnancy

[14][15][16] Also, the women who delivered by cesarean section report greater sexual satisfaction relating to vaginal tone six years on.

[17] Many doctors recommend waiting four to six weeks before resuming sex, to allow the cervix to close, bleeding (known as lochia) to stop, and tears to heal.

[18] A study of women in Turkey found that 42% resumed sexual intercourse within six weeks of giving birth.

[10][15][20] Another American survey found that masturbation (74%) and oral sex (58%) were begun much more frequently within six weeks than vaginal penetration (34%).

[24] Six months after giving birth, one quarter of American women said they had lower sexual sensation, satisfaction, and ability to reach orgasm, and 22% said that sex was painful.

[15] Of Ugandan women who had resumed sex within six months of giving birth, nearly two-thirds experienced vaginal pain and about a third had discharge or bleeding.

[22] Vaginal dryness may occur following giving birth for about three months due to hormonal changes, and breastfeeding women resume sexual intercourse later than those who do not breastfeed.

[1][25] Women who breast-feed are much more likely to report painful sex[8][15][20][25] as well as reduced libido, both due to hormonal changes such as a reduction in levels of estrogen.

In contrast, fatigue, stress, partner disinterest, and breastfeeding status decreased the sexual desire in this period.

[31] Also, early resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth may predispose patients to the risks associated with short interval pregnancy.

[15] In contrast, 59.4% of Ugandan women who had resumed sex and had a sexual problem sought medical assistance.

IUD placement during postpartum period does not carry any significant risks if the patient does not have infection or hemorrhage at the time of delivery.

[33][34] As LNG IUD involves progesterone hormone, it carries the theoretical risk of reducing breastfeeding, like the implants.

[33] Combined hormonal contraceptives, including the birth control pills, increase the risk of blood clotting in postpartum patients.