Pain is a common problem with sex after giving birth

The article is professionally approved by Master, Doctor Trinh Thi Thanh Huyen - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Pain during sex after giving birth is a common phenomenon for women after giving birth. This article will discuss with you the issues surrounding this pain phenomenon and suggest some solutions that you can apply to improve your sex life after having a baby.

1. Is pain during sex after giving birth so rare? A new study by Australian researchers shows that pain during sex after giving birth is very common. Nearly 9 out of 10 women experience pain during sex for the first time after childbirth, and this pain persists for 12-18 months. The study also showed that women who had a caesarean section were more than twice as likely to experience pain during sex after giving birth compared to women who had a vaginal birth. It is noteworthy that regardless of the form of childbirth, it is common to experience pain during sex for the first time after childbirth, even if that first time occurs after the first time. Birth is 3 or 6 months.
Sex in the third month after giving birth is also not uncommon for those who have given birth. Having a baby is a big deal and often comes with a lot of physical changes to the body. And whether those changes are due to a cesarean, vaginal birth with an episiotomy, or conventional, intimacy with your partner may need to change until you feel yourself again.
Some doctors recommend waiting until 6 weeks after giving birth before having sex again. Because for some women, there may be a chance of infection or bleeding after giving birth. These usually subside two weeks after giving birth. If you have an episiotomy or a tear during delivery, extra care should be taken as the pain from the procedure used during delivery is not only painful right after birth, but can last for weeks or even longer. when the whole month. Until the wound is completely healed, it is best to avoid sex. But even if the wound has healed and you still find it painful to do anything, give it some more time before deciding to move forward with intercourse. And it's important to wait until you're physically and mentally ready.

2. Does the form of childbirth affect pain during sex after giving birth? There is a common assumption that women who have a cesarean section have fewer sexual difficulties after giving birth. But that is not true. Research recently published in the International Journal of Production and Gynecology found that nearly 75% of women experience pain during sex after giving birth.
Researchers asked more than 1,200 first-time mothers from six Australian hospitals. The study found that nearly 28% of women said they had experienced pain during sex in the year before becoming pregnant. Among the women participating in the study, about half of the women had a vaginal birth, nearly 11% had a vaginal birth assisted by a suction device, and another 11% had an assisted vaginal birth. with forceps, nearly 30% had cesarean section by elective or emergency cesarean section.
Of the women who reported pain during sex six months after giving birth and one-third said pain during sex continued for up to 18 months born.
3. The Truth About Pain During Sex After Childbirth In addition to being abused by a partner, other factors associated with postpartum sex cause pain up to 18 months after giving birth. including a history of pain during sex before pregnancy, new mothers fatigue levels, depressive symptoms, and age at delivery
Procedures used during childbirth are just mentioned to ensure maximum safety for mother and baby without considering the effects of later complications such as pain during intercourse.

Pain during sex can be a response of the body to emotional, physical or sexual abuse of a partner and clinicians should be alert to that possibility.
Despite the media coverage of this issue a lot, sex is still a taboo subject, especially in the context of motherhood. Obstetricians should encourage women to talk about sexual difficulties if they are having problems.
4. How to Overcome Pain During Sex After Childbirth Once you've decided you're ready for intercourse, there are a few things you can try to help minimize any pain you may experience. can be encountered during sexual intercourse after giving birth. Remember to talk to your partner first about any anxiety you're feeling. You will need the support and patience of your partner to create enjoyable experiences together.
If you're taking over-the-counter pain relievers for postpartum pain, you may want to take some before having sex. Also, taking a warm bath before intercourse can help relax the body. If you have pain and burning after sex, you can apply ice in a towel to your private area to ease the discomfort.
When it comes to sex, there are many different ways to experience pleasure. If the way the relationship hurts, try something different. You may need to experiment with a few forms before finding one that relieves the pressure of any sore areas but still allows you to control the depth of penetration and give you the pleasure you need.
You can also use stimulants to relieve pain during sex. Usually, the changes that happen to your body are caused by fluctuations in hormones. When this happens in the postpartum period, some women experience vaginal dryness and additional burning pain. Using a lubricant can help alleviate this burning sensation and make sex less painful.
Don't be afraid to test oral or manual stimulation, especially if you have penetrative pain. You may find that you experience more pleasure and better orgasms.

To help customers detect and treat gynecological diseases early, Vinmec International General Hospital has a basic gynecological examination and screening package, helping customers detect early inflammatory diseases and help treat Easy, inexpensive treatment. Screening detects gynecological cancer (cervical cancer) early even when there are no symptoms.
Basic gynecological examination and screening package for female customers, has no age limit and may have the following symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Having menstrual problems: irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycle Irregular vaginal discharge (smell, different color) Vaginal pain and itching Female clients have several risk factors such as poor personal hygiene, Unsafe sex, abortion,... Female customers have other symptoms such as: Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain in the private area, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Reference source: insider.com; webmd.com