While the excitement of having a “little clone” will guide you through your pregnancy, you will inevitably face many other challenges and difficulties, from wondering if you will be a good parent to mentally preparing for sleepless nights and diaper changes. It may all seem scary and daunting. This process doesn’t end with birth, but continues for some time afterwards.
Pregnancy brings about major physical, hormonal and emotional changes, and these changes can have a major impact on a woman’s libido. To understand the intricacies of the subject better, OnlyMyHealth got in touch with an expert – Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at Nurture IVF Clinic, New Delhi . She explains that while pregnancy is often accompanied by symptoms like breast pain, morning sickness, mood swings and fatigue, it can also cause fluctuations in libido. Rest assured, changes in libido during pregnancy are completely normal.
Read more: Kalki Koechlin on Finding Intimacy After Baby: Experts Share Effective Tips
What is sexual desire?
Sexual desire is an individual’s conscious or unconscious sexual appetite and reflects the strength of their sexual desire and interest in sex. Understanding sexual desire is important for women who may be experiencing changes in their libido due to fluctuations in hormone levels.
Reasons for changes in sex drive during pregnancy
A study published in PubMed Central highlights that pregnancy not only causes a variety of physical and psychological changes in women, but also psychological changes in men. A slight decrease in libido is common in the first trimester, followed by a more variable pattern in the third trimester. Libido often declines significantly in the third trimester, with some experiencing clinically defined levels of sexual dysfunction.
Changes in libido are closely linked to fluctuations in hormone levels. Hormonal imbalances can lead to changes in libido. Women are particularly susceptible as these changes are linked to key reproductive stages throughout life. Dr Archana confirms this and says, “Hormones are to blame. Fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause changes in libido. But illness, fatigue, stress and weight gain can all affect libido.”
Increased libido during pregnancy
Libido often fluctuates up and down during different stages of pregnancy due to hormonal changes, physical adjustments, and other factors. Moreover, Dr Archana says that this desire, like many of the most severe symptoms of pregnancy, also goes up and down. Some women have a very strong libido during pregnancy and feel overstimulated almost all the time. “But don’t worry if your libido doesn’t increase significantly,” she says. Every pregnancy is different and it’s not your or your partner’s fault.”
Does pregnancy decrease sex drive?
Dr Archana claims that low libido can occur due to the following reasons:
low self-esteem
A study on pregnancy and body image has found that women tend to have lower self-esteem in the second trimester, and their body image perceptions can “significantly worsen” in the third trimester.
Hormonal changes
Other factors come into play: Rising estrogen and progesterone levels during early pregnancy can cause nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Intimacy may sound more like a duty than a fun activity. And all the change and upheaval can leave you feeling emotionally unstable. It can be hard to feel better when you’re feeling down.
Birthing concerns
Worrying that intimacy will lead to miscarriage can also reduce your sex drive. The good news is that experts agree that intimacy does not cause miscarriage. In contrast, miscarriages are usually caused by underlying problems with the fetus.
Read more: 7 ways to reduce stress during pregnancy
How to strengthen your relationship with your partner
Dr Archana encourages readers to realise that if you and your partner are normally intimate and feel that intimacy has decreased during pregnancy, it’s normal for one or both of you to feel frustrated or bored. Instead of letting sexual frustration take over, she recommends focusing on ways to strengthen your emotional connection and attachment during this time.
She adds that it’s important to focus on other aspects of your relationship during this time. To that end, she suggests:
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Discuss your feelings together to better understand each other’s perspectives.
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Be patient with each other. Although these changes may be uncomfortable, this stage in your relationship is not permanent.
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Enjoy quality time together, like sleeping in and trying new restaurants, and other things that you won’t have time for once the baby arrives.
Conclusion
Pregnancy is a time of dramatic change, and it’s natural for your libido to fluctuate. Hormonal changes, physical discomfort, and emotional changes all contribute to these fluctuations, but it’s important to remember that every pregnancy is different. Whether your desire increases or decreases doesn’t define your relationship or your ability to bond with your partner.
The key is to communicate, be patient and understand. Although pregnancy can bring physical challenges, it is also an opportunity to deepen the emotional bond with your partner. Focusing on your shared experiences, expressing your feelings openly and enjoying quality time together can strengthen your relationship and help you go through these changes as a team. After all, the journey to parenthood is not just about physical intimacy, it’s also about building a strong foundation of love and support that will help you survive this change and beyond.
