How does pregnancy affect libido, and what can be done about it? This guide will walk you through what to expect throughout pregnancy.
By OBGYN Dr. Kenosha Gleaton, Chief Medical Advisor, Natalist
Ever wonder why sex drive is so variable during pregnancy? Doesn’t every expecting mom have the same things going on internally while growing a human? So, what explains libido variance — and more importantly, what can be done about it? Let’s dive directly into this most intriguing topic.
What does libido mean?
Libido is commonly used to describe sexual drive or desire for sexual activity. Libido naturally fluctuates throughout our reproductive life cycle, thus highs and lows are common. And since libido is mainly hormone-driven, the various factors that alter hormones will naturally affect sexual desire, including pregnancy, stress, medications, menopause, and exercise.
Libido naturally fluctuates throughout our reproductive life cycle, thus highs and lows are common.
How does pregnancy affect your libido?
Pregnancy leads to a host of rapid physical and emotional changes; thus, it’s no surprise that libido is affected. Hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and beta HCG levels all increase and can alter your desire for sexual activity.
And while some women experience increased libido due to increased blood flow and sensitivity, often women experience the exact opposite. There are several reasons to explain this.
Increased libido is often experienced due to increased blood flow to the genitals, which leads to increased sensitivity and often more satisfying sexual encounters.
Want to know more? Read the full article on Natalist.com.
