Many women experience a low libido throughout pregnancy. It can be a result of hormone changes, fatigue, nausea and other physical symptoms.
You may also worry that sexual intercourse will harm your baby or trigger preterm labor. It is important to talk to your practitioner about this.
It’s normal
Many women are surprised to find their sex drive completely takes a hit while they’re pregnant. This is usually due to the combination of hormones, weight gain, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms that come with pregnancy. The good news is that libido typically returns after delivery.
Depending on your trimester, your sex drive may increase or decrease, but for most women, they feel their best during the second trimester. After the nausea and fatigue of early pregnancy fade, and the back pain, swelling and discomfort are less pronounced, most women find that their desire for sex improves.
Some women even report being orgasmic or multi-orgasmic during their second trimester! However, as you get closer to your due date, the fatigue, aches and pain of pregnancy can make sex more difficult. For some, this symptom lasts all the way to delivery.
There’s also the old adage that your sex drive during pregnancy can predict the gender of your baby. While this isn’t necessarily true, it’s interesting to note that some women have a low libido while pregnant and end up having a boy, and others have a high libido and have a girl.
Having no sex drive while pregnant is a common pregnancy symptom that affects most women. However, this isn’t a sign that something is wrong with your pregnancy and should not be a cause for concern. Despite this, it’s still important to communicate with your partner and be open about what you both want out of the relationship during this time.
It’s not hurting your baby
Many women have the fear that sex during pregnancy will hurt their unborn child. This is a completely normal concern, and you should discuss it with your doctor or partner so that they can assure you that intercourse will not harm the baby or cause preterm labor. In fact, sex can actually provide more nutrients for the baby than not having sex.
It is not uncommon for libido to go down during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. This is due to a combination of factors, including nausea and fatigue. However, a woman’s libido typically starts to rise again after the first trimester, as the hormone levels drop and she begins to feel more like her normal self.
The second trimester is when most women experience the biggest spike in libido. This is because the hormones start to level out and the increased blood flow to the genitals and breasts can lead to heightened sensitivity and pleasurable sexual sensations. Additionally, the use of lubrication can help make the experience even more enjoyable.
If your sex drive does not increase in the third trimester, you may want to try other ways to connect with your partner, such as talking or spending time together. This can also help you stay close and strengthen your relationship. Moreover, you should not feel guilty about not having sex because it is a normal part of pregnancy.
It’s not affecting your relationship
The ups and downs of a woman’s libido during pregnancy can be confusing. If you find yourself struggling to get excited about intercourse, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Women who lose their libido during pregnancy often feel like they’re letting their partner down and don’t feel comfortable discussing it. However, it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all experience and your partner will likely be understanding.
It’s also worth noting that your libido will probably return after the first trimester, when nausea and fatigue start to dissipate. By the second trimester, you may enjoy an increase in sexual appetite as a result of increased blood flow to your genitals, leading to easier arousal and a hypersensitive clitoris. However, by the third trimester, back pain and other physical symptoms may decrease your desire again.
Of course, if you have serious health concerns or you’re worried about your baby, your doctor may advise you to stay away from sex for your own safety. In this case, it’s important to maintain intimacy with your partner in other ways—cuddling and massage can still be incredibly satisfying and provide a sense of connection that can help you weather the low libido storm.
It’s not a sign of weakness
A lot of women experience changes to their libido during pregnancy. Some of these changes are positive, such as an increase in arousal, while others can be negative, such as a decrease in desire. It’s important for couples to understand that this is normal and not a sign of weakness. Instead, they can focus on other forms of intimacy, such as cuddling or massage, to maintain their connection.
Many women find that their lack of interest in sex is caused by pregnancy hormones and other symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and engorged genitals. These symptoms can interfere with a woman’s ability to perform sexually and can even lead to the development of a painful condition called cervical sex ectopia.
It’s also worth noting that a woman may be less interested in sex during pregnancy due to concerns about the safety of her unborn child. This is especially true in the first trimester, when the mother’s body is undergoing a number of significant changes, including the production of the placenta and blood to support the growing baby. This is why it’s so important for women to talk about their concerns with their partner early on in the process. By discussing these issues openly, couples can work together to find solutions that are mutually beneficial. For example, a couple could choose to use aphrodisiac foods, such as oysters and chocolate, to increase arousal.