Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017

25.07.2017 | Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

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

verfasst von: Hillary L. McBride, Janelle L. Kwee

Erschienen in: Current Sexual Health Reports | Ausgabe 3/2017

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

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.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Alves M, Vieira R. Facts that influence the feminine sexuality after childbirth. Theol Sex. 2008;17:139–54. Alves M, Vieira R. Facts that influence the feminine sexuality after childbirth. Theol Sex. 2008;17:139–54.
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Signorello LB, Harlow BL, Chekos AK, Repke JT. Postpartum sexual functioning and its relationship to perineal trauma: a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;184(5):881–90. doi:10.1067/mob.2001.113855.CrossRefPubMed Signorello LB, Harlow BL, Chekos AK, Repke JT. Postpartum sexual functioning and its relationship to perineal trauma: a retrospective cohort study of primiparous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;184(5):881–90. doi:10.​1067/​mob.​2001.​113855.CrossRefPubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat LaMarre A, Paterson L, Gorzalka B. Breastfeeding and postpartum sexual functioning: a review. Can J Hum Sex. 2003;12(3–4):151–68. LaMarre A, Paterson L, Gorzalka B. Breastfeeding and postpartum sexual functioning: a review. Can J Hum Sex. 2003;12(3–4):151–68.
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Masters WH, Johnson VE. Human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown; 1966. Masters WH, Johnson VE. Human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown; 1966.
16.
Zurück zum Zitat Kaplan HS. Hypoactive sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther. 1979;3:3–9.CrossRef Kaplan HS. Hypoactive sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther. 1979;3:3–9.CrossRef
18.
Zurück zum Zitat Klein MC, Gauthier RJ, Robbins JM, Kaczorowski J, Jorgensen SH, Franco ED, et al. Relationship of episiotomy to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994;171(3):591–8. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(94)90070-1.CrossRefPubMed Klein MC, Gauthier RJ, Robbins JM, Kaczorowski J, Jorgensen SH, Franco ED, et al. Relationship of episiotomy to perineal trauma and morbidity, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic floor relaxation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994;171(3):591–8. doi:10.​1016/​0002-9378(94)90070-1.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Radestad I, Olsson A, Nissen E, Rubertsson C, Institutionen för vård och natur, & Högskolan i Skövde. Tears in the vagina, perineum, sphincter ani, and rectum and first sexual intercourse after childbirth: a nationwide follow-up. Birth. 2008;35(2):98–106. doi:10.1111/j.1523-536X.2008.00222.x.CrossRefPubMed Radestad I, Olsson A, Nissen E, Rubertsson C, Institutionen för vård och natur, & Högskolan i Skövde. Tears in the vagina, perineum, sphincter ani, and rectum and first sexual intercourse after childbirth: a nationwide follow-up. Birth. 2008;35(2):98–106. doi:10.​1111/​j.​1523-536X.​2008.​00222.​x.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Barbara G, Pifarotti P, Facchin F, Cortinovis I, Dridi D, Ronchetti C, et al. Impact of mode of delivery on female postpartum sexual functioning: spontaneous vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery vs cesarean section. J Sex Med. 2016;13(3):393–401. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.004.CrossRefPubMed Barbara G, Pifarotti P, Facchin F, Cortinovis I, Dridi D, Ronchetti C, et al. Impact of mode of delivery on female postpartum sexual functioning: spontaneous vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery vs cesarean section. J Sex Med. 2016;13(3):393–401. doi:10.​1016/​j.​jsxm.​2016.​01.​004.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Rogers RG, Leeman LM, Migliaccio L, Albers LL. Does the severity of spontaneous genital tract trauma affect postpartum pelvic floor function? Int Urogynecol J. 2008;19(3):429–35. doi:10.1007/s00192-007-0458-x.CrossRef Rogers RG, Leeman LM, Migliaccio L, Albers LL. Does the severity of spontaneous genital tract trauma affect postpartum pelvic floor function? Int Urogynecol J. 2008;19(3):429–35. doi:10.​1007/​s00192-007-0458-x.CrossRef
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Faisal-Cury A, Menezes PR, Quayle J, Matijasevich A, Diniz SG. The relationship between mode of delivery and sexual health outcomes after childbirth. J Sex Med. 2015;12(5):1212–20. doi:10.1111/jsm.12883.CrossRefPubMed Faisal-Cury A, Menezes PR, Quayle J, Matijasevich A, Diniz SG. The relationship between mode of delivery and sexual health outcomes after childbirth. J Sex Med. 2015;12(5):1212–20. doi:10.​1111/​jsm.​12883.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Carter CS, Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Kramer KM, Ziegler TE, White-Traut R, Bello D, et al. Oxytocin: behavioral associations and potential as a salivary biomarker. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007;1098:312–22.CrossRefPubMed Carter CS, Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Kramer KM, Ziegler TE, White-Traut R, Bello D, et al. Oxytocin: behavioral associations and potential as a salivary biomarker. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007;1098:312–22.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Zurück zum Zitat McBride H, Kwee J. Focusing on the mother in maternal health care: a review of perinatal mental health needs and promising interventions. J Psychol Ther Prim Care. 2016;5:1–25. McBride H, Kwee J. Focusing on the mother in maternal health care: a review of perinatal mental health needs and promising interventions. J Psychol Ther Prim Care. 2016;5:1–25.
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Gawley L, Einarson A, Bowen A. Stigma and attitudes towards antenatal depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy in healthcare students. Adv Health Sci Educ. 2011;16(5):669–79. doi:10.1007/s10459-011-9289-0.CrossRef Gawley L, Einarson A, Bowen A. Stigma and attitudes towards antenatal depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy in healthcare students. Adv Health Sci Educ. 2011;16(5):669–79. doi:10.​1007/​s10459-011-9289-0.CrossRef
31.
Zurück zum Zitat Dennis C, Heaman M, Vigod S. Epidemiology of postpartum depressive symptoms among Canadian women: regional and national results from a cross-sectional survey. Can J Psychiatr. 2012;57(9):537–46. doi:10.1177/070674371205700904.CrossRef Dennis C, Heaman M, Vigod S. Epidemiology of postpartum depressive symptoms among Canadian women: regional and national results from a cross-sectional survey. Can J Psychiatr. 2012;57(9):537–46. doi:10.​1177/​0706743712057009​04.CrossRef
32.
Zurück zum Zitat Bowen A, Baetz M, McKee N. Optimizing maternal mental health within a primary health care centre: a model program. Can J Commun Ment Health. 2008;27(2):105–16.CrossRef Bowen A, Baetz M, McKee N. Optimizing maternal mental health within a primary health care centre: a model program. Can J Commun Ment Health. 2008;27(2):105–16.CrossRef
33.
Zurück zum Zitat Bueno J. Life after birth. Ther Today. 2010;21(4):18–21. Bueno J. Life after birth. Ther Today. 2010;21(4):18–21.
34.
Zurück zum Zitat Astrachan-Fletcher E, Veldhuis C, Lively N, Fowler C, Marcks B. The reciprocal effects of eating disorders and the postpartum period: a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical care. J Women’s Health. 2008;17(2):227–39. doi:10.1089/jwh.2007.0550.CrossRef Astrachan-Fletcher E, Veldhuis C, Lively N, Fowler C, Marcks B. The reciprocal effects of eating disorders and the postpartum period: a review of the literature and recommendations for clinical care. J Women’s Health. 2008;17(2):227–39. doi:10.​1089/​jwh.​2007.​0550.CrossRef
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Spooner S, Rastle M, Elmore K. Maternal depression screening during prenatal and postpartum care at a navy and marine corps military treatment facility. Mil Med. 2012;177(10):1208–11.CrossRefPubMed Spooner S, Rastle M, Elmore K. Maternal depression screening during prenatal and postpartum care at a navy and marine corps military treatment facility. Mil Med. 2012;177(10):1208–11.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Zurück zum Zitat Kim K, Hong JP, Cho MJ, Fava M, Mischoulon D, Lee D, et al. Loss of sexual interest and premenstrual mood change in women with postpartum versus non-postpartum depression: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults. J Affect Disord. 2016;191:222–9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.11.050.CrossRefPubMed Kim K, Hong JP, Cho MJ, Fava M, Mischoulon D, Lee D, et al. Loss of sexual interest and premenstrual mood change in women with postpartum versus non-postpartum depression: a nationwide community sample of Korean adults. J Affect Disord. 2016;191:222–9. doi:10.​1016/​j.​jad.​2015.​11.​050.CrossRefPubMed
39.
Zurück zum Zitat Moel JE, Buttner MM, O’Hara MW, Stuart S, Gorman L. Sexual function in the postpartum period: effects of maternal depression and interpersonal psychotherapy treatment. Arch Women’s Ment Health. 2010;13(6):495–504. doi:10.1007/s00737-010-0168-0.CrossRef Moel JE, Buttner MM, O’Hara MW, Stuart S, Gorman L. Sexual function in the postpartum period: effects of maternal depression and interpersonal psychotherapy treatment. Arch Women’s Ment Health. 2010;13(6):495–504. doi:10.​1007/​s00737-010-0168-0.CrossRef
41.
Zurück zum Zitat Kitzinger S. Screaming inside: a normal response to abnormal stress. Int J Childbirth Educ. 2008;23(3):19–20. Kitzinger S. Screaming inside: a normal response to abnormal stress. Int J Childbirth Educ. 2008;23(3):19–20.
42.
Zurück zum Zitat Ogden P, Minton K, Pain C. Trauma and the body. New York: W.W. Norton; 2006. Ogden P, Minton K, Pain C. Trauma and the body. New York: W.W. Norton; 2006.
43.
Zurück zum Zitat Rubin R. Attainment of the maternal role. Part I: processes. Nurs Res. 1967;16:237–45.CrossRef Rubin R. Attainment of the maternal role. Part I: processes. Nurs Res. 1967;16:237–45.CrossRef
49.
Zurück zum Zitat Schlagintweit HE, Bailey K, Rosen NO. A new baby in the bedroom: frequency and severity of postpartum sexual concerns and their associations with relationship satisfaction in new parent couples. J Sex Med. 2016;13(10):1455–65. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.08.006.CrossRefPubMed Schlagintweit HE, Bailey K, Rosen NO. A new baby in the bedroom: frequency and severity of postpartum sexual concerns and their associations with relationship satisfaction in new parent couples. J Sex Med. 2016;13(10):1455–65. doi:10.​1016/​j.​jsxm.​2016.​08.​006.CrossRefPubMed
54.
Zurück zum Zitat Sok C, Sanders JN, Saltzman HM, Turok DK. Sexual behavior, satisfaction, and contraceptive use among postpartum women. J Midwifery Women’s Health. 2016;61(2):158–65. doi:10.1111/jmwh.12409.CrossRef Sok C, Sanders JN, Saltzman HM, Turok DK. Sexual behavior, satisfaction, and contraceptive use among postpartum women. J Midwifery Women’s Health. 2016;61(2):158–65. doi:10.​1111/​jmwh.​12409.CrossRef
57.
Zurück zum Zitat Kwee J, McBride H. Working together for women’s empowerment: strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration in perinatal care. J Health Psychol. 2015; doi:10.1177/1359105315586211. Kwee J, McBride H. Working together for women’s empowerment: strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration in perinatal care. J Health Psychol. 2015; doi:10.​1177/​1359105315586211​.
58.
Metadaten
Titel
Sex After Baby: Women’s Sexual Function in the Postpartum Period
verfasst von
Hillary L. McBride
Janelle L. Kwee
Publikationsdatum
25.07.2017
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Current Sexual Health Reports / Ausgabe 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1548-3584
Elektronische ISSN: 1548-3592
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0116-3

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2017

Current Sexual Health Reports 3/2017 Zur Ausgabe

Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

Age Is Not a Condom: HIV and Sexual Health for Older Adults

Current Controversies (P Kleinplatz and C Moser, Section Editors)

Cannabis and Sexuality

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)

Tunical Incision Techniques for Peyronie’s Disease

Integrating the Psychosocial (B McCarthy, R Segraves and A Clayton, Section Editors)

Estimates and Correlates of Engagement in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)

Pros and Cons of Ectopic IPP Reservoir Placement

Variations in Orientation, Identity, Addiction, and Compulsion (E Coleman and J Vencill, Section Editor)

Non-binary/Genderqueer Identities: a Critical Review of the Literature

Adjuvante Immuntherapie verlängert Leben bei RCC

25.04.2024 Nierenkarzinom Nachrichten

Nun gibt es auch Resultate zum Gesamtüberleben: Eine adjuvante Pembrolizumab-Therapie konnte in einer Phase-3-Studie das Leben von Menschen mit Nierenzellkarzinom deutlich verlängern. Die Sterberate war im Vergleich zu Placebo um 38% geringer.

Bei Senioren mit Prostatakarzinom auf Anämie achten!

24.04.2024 DGIM 2024 Nachrichten

Patienten, die zur Behandlung ihres Prostatakarzinoms eine Androgendeprivationstherapie erhalten, entwickeln nicht selten eine Anämie. Wer ältere Patienten internistisch mitbetreut, sollte auf diese Nebenwirkung achten.

Stufenschema weist Prostatakarzinom zuverlässig nach

22.04.2024 Prostatakarzinom Nachrichten

Erst PSA-Test, dann Kallikrein-Score, schließlich MRT und Biopsie – ein vierstufiges Screening-Schema kann die Zahl der unnötigen Prostatabiopsien erheblich reduzieren: Die Hälfte der Männer, die in einer finnischen Studie eine Biopsie benötigten, hatte einen hochgradigen Tumor.

Harnwegsinfektprophylaxe: Es geht auch ohne Antibiotika

20.04.2024 EAU 2024 Kongressbericht

Beim chronischen Harnwegsinfekt bei Frauen wird bisher meist eine Antibiotikaprophylaxe eingesetzt. Angesichts der zunehmenden Antibiotikaresistenz erweist sich das Antiseptikum Methenamin-Hippurat als vielversprechende Alternative, so die Auswertung einer randomisierten kontrollierten Studie.

Update Urologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.