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Sex After Baby: Women’s Sexual Function in the Postpartum Period

  • Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper is written to introduce postpartum sexual functioning through a biopsychosocial lens, including challenges and interventions for optimal sexual functioning during the postpartum period, both for women and their partners.

Recent Findings

While considered to be dysfunctional compared to sexual functioning outside of the perinatal period, changes to sexual functioning in the year following childbirth are common. Biological and physiological factors which affect postpartum sexual functioning include method of delivery, breastfeeding and hormonal changes, and sleep. Psychosocial factors impacting postpartum sexual functioning include mental health, identity transition with adjusting to parenting, body image, social support, cultural context, and romantic relationships. Basson’s model of female sexual response is also discussed.

Summary

Sexual functioning during the postpartum year is a biopsychosocial process which is challenging for most couples, although there are exceptions. These challenges need to be pathologized. Healthcare providers need to better support new parents with their sexual health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Neville Scarfe Building, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    Hillary L. McBride

  2. Trinity Western University, Langley, Canada

    Janelle L. Kwee

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  1. Hillary L. McBride
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  2. Janelle L. Kwee
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Correspondence to Hillary L. McBride.

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Hillary L. McBride and Janelle L. Kwee each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article contains no studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Integrating the Psychosocial

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McBride, H.L., Kwee, J.L. Sex After Baby: Women’s Sexual Function in the Postpartum Period. Curr Sex Health Rep 9, 142–149 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0116-3

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