All about Painful Sex Postpartum
“Every time we have sex it is so painful” This is something we hear a LOT as pelvic floor therapists. The good news? Painful sex postpartum is common—but not something you have to simply "live with." Pelvic floor physical/occupational therapy can help identify the cause, relieve discomfort, and help you return to intimacy with confidence!
How long does painful sex last after birth?
It depends- we know this is literally the worst answer that we all dread. That being said, it is true! Slight discomfort the first time or two after giving birth is to be expected, your body just went through a lot of change. For many as your tissues heal and hormones start to normalize it gets better. If pain persists or worsens then it is definitely time to reach out and get support. Consider scheduling a pelvic floor therapy appointment if:
Sex remains painful for several weeks
Pain is sharp, burning, or deep inside the pelvis
You avoid intimacy because of fear or discomfort
You also experience pelvic pressure during or after sex
What causes pain with sex after birth?
This can be caused by a variety of factors such as:
Hormone changes: Estrogen levels drop significantly after birth and often remain lower while breastfeeding. Lower estrogen can contribute to vaginal dryness and increased tissue sensitivity, making intercourse uncomfortable or painful
Stress: Baby’s are HUGE blessings that come with a lot of changes. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Everything is in season. One week your baby may sleep perfectly and the next you may wonder if they will ever sleep for an hour. Sleep comes and goes, there is a constant to-do list in your head, you are trying to figure out why the baby is crying all while also trying to take care of yourself. It is a big learning curve adding a little one to your family whether it is your first time or your 8th time. So during this time libido may also be lower than normal. Take a breath, give yourself grace, and do not be afraid to ask for help.
Perineal Trauma: If you experience tearing during childbirth this may cause discomfort during intercourse as the tissue heals. Scar tissue sometimes can become tight, sensitive to touch, adhere to surrounding tissues, and then be painful when stretched during intercourse. This can be especially true for individuals who have experienced 3rd or 4th degree tears.
Pelvic floor tension: Your pelvic floor goes through a lot during childbirth and after birth they may be tight, tender, or guarded. If you are someone who had a c-section this is still very relevant to you due to your pelvic floor muscles being so closely linked to those around your abdomen- which is one of the reasons why we always consider the core, diaphragm, and ribcage when working with our patients.
How can pelvic floor therapy help?
Once getting to the root cause of your pain with intercourse we can form a treatment plan. We always form plans with your goals in mind and individualize it to you. In pelvic floor therapy we use a variety of techniques such as:
Manual therapy
Scar tissue mobilization
Pelvic floor relaxation techniques
Breathing and core coordination exercises
Education on vaginal dilators (when appropriate)
Recommendations for lubricants and strategies to improve comfort during intimacy
Want to learn more and work with us? Fill out our appointment request form and our team will be in touch with you shortly!