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Couples feet sticking out from beneath the covers after struggling to have an orgasm

5 Reasons You May Struggle To Have An Orgasm After Giving Birth

by Maggie May Ethridge

The months after childbirth can be some of the most vulnerable ones of a woman's life. Her hormones are running rampant, leaving her more emotional than ever, and her body is trying to bounce back from giving birth. These two factors can make jumping back in the sack a bit of a shock, as things have likely changed since the last time you had sex. One thing you may notice is that your have trouble orgasming after birth.

The good news is, this is not an uncommon experience (after all, you just put your body through an arduous experience.) But you still may wonder whether or not your struggle to achieve the Big O is normal. I definitely wondered if mine was; from loss of libido to episiotomy complications, I had a hard time achieving a postpartum orgasm.

In talking to my OB-GYN, however, I realized I am not alone in the post-baby bedroom battle. There are various reasons new moms may struggle to reach the Big O, from the physical to the emotional. But with patience and care, most women find themselves once again happily orgasming. Here are five of the more common reasons women struggle to have postpartum orgasms, as well as various ways to work through them. Implement a few of these tricks, and it won’t be long till you find yourself orgasming again.

1You Ripped During Childbirth

There’s no nice way to say it — sometimes when a human being comes out of your vagina, your lady bit rips. This often requires some post-delivery stitching and healing, which can make you hesitant to jump back into bed. And even when you do, it might not be as good since the nerve connections have not wholly recovered yet, according to Everyday Health. Give your body time to heal and you’ll find that your orgasms will return in no time.

2You Have A Low Libido

BabyCenter notes that it’s completely normal to have a reduced sex drive months after labor, and there are many reasons why. Fatigue from soothing a colicky baby or the stress from your new financial situation can take you out of the mood. But it won’t last forever. Henrietta Hughes, a general practitioner in London, surveyed mothers for the Journal Of Family Health and found that many mothers experience, “a significant decrease in tiredness, an improvement in mood, and an increase in sexual activity, sexual feelings and frequency of sex within four weeks of stopping breastfeeding.” Let the countdown begin!

3You Have Pelvic Floor Issues

The pelvic floor plays an important role in sexual function, as it contracts during sex and orgasm, creating pleasurable sensations. According to Baby Center, Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles located in your pelvis which stretch like a hammock from the pubic bone (at the front) to the coccyx or tail-bone (at the back), and from side to side.These muscles are stretched during childbirth,and while they do bounce back, sometimes they need a little help. Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can assist in toning those muscles, getting you back on track to the orgasms you remember.

4You Have Post-Partum Depression

When you think of the enormous physical and hormonal changes that come with delivering a child, it’s not surprising that many women suffer from postpartum depression, or PPD. A bit more extreme than the baby blues, Mental Health America estimates that 20 percent of new mothers experience postpartum depression, which can result in a huge loss of sex drive and ability to orgasm. Thanks to organizations like Postpartum Progress, it is easier for women to treat their PPD and return to a normal state sooner.

5You Have Vaginal Dryness

As Healthline reports, post-pregnancy hormonal changes can cause vaginal dryness, as can breastfeeding As a result, intercourse or fingerplay becomes painful and orgasms are difficult to achieve. Luckily, a natural-based vaginal lubrication can work wonders and help you achieve the coveted orgasm. This may also be a good time to enjoy oral sex, a pastime that is naturally lubricated and requires zero penetration.