Women's Health

Sex drive

09/11/2008

Question:

I HAVE 4 MONTHS DAUGHTER.I AM BREAST FEEDING .I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I LOST MY SEX DRIVE COMPLETELY.I KNOW IT TAKES SOME TIME TO REGAIN YOUR SEX LIFE AFTER DELIVERY BUT NOW ITS 4 MONTS.IS IT NORMAL OR SHALL I CONSULT DOCTOR.PLEASE HELP ME I AM REALLY VERY TENSE AND FEELING DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

Answer:

What you are experiencing is pretty common and I'm glad you've identified it. Many women experience this and don't ask for help in changing things.

First, having a four-month-old takes a lot of energy. If you are breast feeding, (which is terrific and the best thing for you and the baby) and even if you were bottle feeding, you are probably somewhat sleep deprived. That's one reason for a decrease in sex drive.

Second, and probably the most concerning, is that postpartum depression and even the "baby blues" can interfere with your sex drive. Many more women suffer from postpartum depression than has been originally thought, and your provider can help you work through this temporary problem before it severely affects your life.

If you are noticing that you are tired, lack sex drive, don't sleep well, aren't as interested in things as you were before the baby, have little motivation to get your body "back in shape", and can't remember the last time you had a really good laugh, you may be suffering from post partum depression.

This is not something you did wrong, and it is very treatable. Please see your provider and get help. All the best to you and your family. Hope this helps.

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Response by:

Elizabeth R. Barker, PhD, APRN, BC, FAANP,CHE
Associate Professor
Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
College of Nursing
The Ohio State University