Breastfeeding and Sex: 4 Ways It Affects Your Intimate Life 

Though breastfeeding offers better nutrition for the baby and even reduces ovarian and breast cancer, it can still take a toll on the mother’s body as various hormones rise and drop throughout the process. Some of these changes even impact their sex life, such as the following:

1Your sex drive will fluctuate.

Your desire for sex can either go incredibly low or high, depending on how your body responds to the hormonal changes in your body. After giving birth, your estrogen levels will drop, while hormones prolactin and oxytocin will rise. Prolactin is responsible for milk production, while oxytocin plays a role in releasing it from your nipples.

While these hormones are good for breastfeeding, they can decrease your sex drive. Since these hormones are released when breastfeeding the baby, especially oxytocin or ‘love hormone,’ you don’t have the full desire to get intimate with your partner. Not only that, but external factors like sleep deprivation and new responsibilities can also affect your desire for sex. When you literally have no time to even shower, the last thing you might want to do is have sex.

In some cases, you might end up with an increased sex drive, as the hormones released as you breastfeed can make you more motivated to cuddle and get intimate with your partner. Not only that, but nipples are an erogenous zone, so being constantly stimulated may increase your sexual desire.

2Leaks might happen during the deed.

One common misconception about breast milk is that you can stop it whenever you want to, but that isn’t the case. Leaks can happen, especially if the breast is full of milk. So, there might be a chance of you releasing some of that milk during the deed, especially if your partner starts playing with your nipples.

If you don’t mind the leaks, tell your partner beforehand that this might happen and that it’s just natural; this prevents them from worrying that something wrong is happening. But if you want to minimize the leaks, it’s best to pump or nurse your baby before sex. You can also go with the nursing bra approach so that the bra will absorb the leaks.

3You’ll need extra time with foreplay.

As mentioned in the first point, estrogen levels will drop as you begin breastfeeding. It’s responsible for your vaginal lubrication, so you might need to take more time in foreplay to warm your body up and let out that natural lubrication. You can also use water-based lube for some extra glide.

4You can get the lactational amenorrhea method, a natural form of birth control.

Did you know that breastfeeding is a natural form of birth control? The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is a type of birth control caused by the hormones produced while you’re breastfeeding. Medical resources say that it’s about 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, making it a good alternative for new mothers who aren’t ready to get into hormonal birth control again.

As you nurse your baby, your body sends a signal to your ovaries to temporarily stop making eggs, which then prevents conception from happening despite having unprotected sex. Not only does it stop you from getting pregnant, but it also stops you from having periods (lactational amenorrhea).

However, not all lactating women automatically have this birth control. There are guidelines that you’ll need to have before you can confidently have sex without protection— you must have ALL of the following criteria:

• The baby must be younger than 6 months.
• Your baby should only get its nutrition from your breast milk. You might give them additional supplements occasionally, but your baby must get all its main feedings from your breast.
• You must stick to a consistent nursing schedule: feeding your baby every 4 hours throughout the day and every 6 hours per night. This is important because if you skip a feeding, then the birth control would no longer work.
• There shouldn’t be any menstrual cycle at all. You should not bleed for 2 days in a row or more after the delivery.

Checked all of it? Then, you can count on the LAM and will be able to use it up to 6 months after birth. If something happens and you end up skipping a feeding schedule or ending up having a period, you’ll need to take another birth control method.

Takeaway

Breastfeeding comes with amazing health benefits for the mother and the baby, but it also has a significant impact on the mother’s body, some of which can affect their sex drive and even the way they have sex.

As for mothers who are currently breastfeeding and experiencing these changes, remember to prioritize your comfort. There’s nothing wrong if you’re currently not interested in having sex yet. Aside from the hormonal changes in your body, you’re also dealing with a newborn requiring so much attention and energy. Don’t be pressured to say yes to sex just because your partner wants to; instead, communicate your current situation. A loving partner would truly understand and help you navigate these changes.