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While the excitement of having a ‘mini you’ courses you through your pregnancy, facing innumerable other challenges and struggles alongside is inevitable– from thoughts making you doubt if you could be a good parent to mentally preparing yourself for sleepless nights and diaper changes, everything feels scary and daunting. The process does not end at childbirth and instead lingers around during the postpartum period for some time more.
Pregnancy brings about significant physical, hormonal, and emotional changes, and these transformations can have a profound impact on a woman’s libido. To better understand the intricacies of the topic, we at OnlyMyHealth got in touch with an expert, Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician and IVF Expert, Nurture IVF Clinic, New Delhi. She explained that while pregnancy is often associated with symptoms like sore breasts, morning sickness, mood swings, and fatigue, it can also bring fluctuations in libido. Rest assured, variations in sexual desire during pregnancy are completely normal.
Also Read: Kalki Koechlin On Rediscovering Intimacy Post-Childbirth: Expert Shares Effective Tips
What Is Libido?
Libido refers to an individual's conscious or unconscious sexual drive, reflecting the intensity of their sexual desires and interest in sex. Understanding libido is crucial for women who may be experiencing changes in sexual desire due to fluctuating hormone levels.
Causes Of Libido Changes During Pregnancy
Research published in PubMed Central highlights that pregnancy induces a range of physical and psychological changes in women, as well as psychological changes in men. During the first trimester, a slight reduction in sexual interest is often observed, followed by a more variable pattern in the second trimester. In the final trimester, there is typically a significant decline in sexual interest, with some individuals experiencing levels of sexual dysfunction as defined in clinical terms.
Libido changes are closely linked to fluctuations in hormone levels. When hormones are out of balance, it can lead to shifts in sexual desire. Women are particularly susceptible to these changes, as they are tied to key reproductive stages throughout their lives. Dr. Archana corroborates this and says, “Blame your hormones. Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels can cause changes in sexual desire. However, sickness, exhaustion, stress, and weight gain can all have an effect on your libido.”
Increased Libido During Pregnancy
It's common for your libido to fluctuate—both increasing and decreasing—at different stages of pregnancy, as a result of hormone changes, physical adjustments, and other factors. Adding to this, Dr. Archana comments that this one ebbs and flows, as do many of the most acute pregnant symptoms. Some women experience such strong sex drives throughout pregnancy that they are nearly constantly overstimulated. She says, “However, don't be concerned if your libido does not increase significantly. Every pregnancy is different, and it doesn't reflect on you or your partner.”
Can Pregnancy Decrease Your Sex Drive?
Dr. Archana affirms and states that your libido may decrease because of these reasons.
Poor Self-Esteem
According to research on pregnancy and self-image, women tend to have poorer self-esteem in the second trimester, and body image perception might become "significantly worse" in the third trimester.
Hormonal Changes
Other factors at play - increased oestrogen and progesterone levels during the first trimester can cause nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Being intimate may sound like a duty rather than an enjoyable activity. Additionally, with all of the changes and discomforts, your emotions may be all over the place. It might be difficult to get into a good mood when you're already down.
Worries Related To Childbirth
Worrying that intimacy would result in miscarriage can also reduce desire. The good news is that specialists agree that being sexually intimate does not cause pregnancy loss. Miscarriage, on the other hand, is often caused by underlying foetal problems.
Also Read: 7 Ways To Relieve Stress During Pregnancy
Ways To Strengthen Your Relationship With Your Partner
Dr. Archana encourages readers to recognise that if you and your spouse are accustomed to frequent intimacy but find it decreasing during pregnancy, it’s normal for one or both partners to feel disappointed or frustrated. Instead of letting sexual frustration take over, she advises focusing on ways to strengthen your emotional connection and bond during this time.
She adds that during this time, it is important to focus on other aspects of your relationship. To do so, she suggests the following;
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Discuss your feelings jointly to better comprehend each other's perspectives.
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Be patient with one another. These shifts may be irritating, but this stage of your relationship is not permanent.
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Enjoy quality time as a pair. For example, you can do things you won't have time for once your kid arrives, such as sleep in or try new restaurants.
Bottomline
Pregnancy is a time of drastic change, and it’s natural for your libido to ebb and flow. Hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, and emotional changes all contribute to these fluctuations, but it’s important to remember that every pregnancy is unique. Whether your desire increases or decreases, it doesn’t define your relationship or your ability to bond with your partner.
The key is to be communicative, patient, and understanding. Pregnancy may bring physical challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to deepen your emotional connection with your partner. By focusing on shared experiences, expressing your feelings openly, and enjoying quality time together, you can strengthen your bond and navigate these changes as a team. After all, the journey to parenthood is about more than just physical intimacy—it's about building a strong foundation of love and support that will carry you through this transformative time and beyond!