Postpartum sexual dysfunction: how to rekindle passion from the liver, spleen and kidneys

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transcriptLiang Yingxiu

Postpartum mothers experience varying degrees of physical and psychological changes due to the 10 months of pregnancy, fetal birth, breastfeeding, and various hormonal changes. Especially after giving birth, there is a lack of “sexual interest”. What is going on?

(Kuala Lumpur News) Physical changes include, first, the musculature around the vulva and pelvic floor. Due to over-expansion during childbirth, partial tears, weakened elasticity and relaxation, in severe cases can lead to uterine prolapse, vaginal anterior Wall prolapse (cystocele), urine leakage, anal prolapse, etc.; second, the level of the hormone prolactin that promotes milk secretion increases after childbirth, so the breasts are filled with milk and swell, and may even cause constipation and pain; third, Postpartum uterine contraction pain occurs, and lochia usually lasts for about 4 to 6 weeks. If there is placental residue or infection, the lochia duration can be prolonged.

Depression and anxiety within 1 to 2 weeks after delivery

Chinese medicine practitioner Wen Yongxin pointed out that in terms of mental and psychological aspects, since the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop sharply after delivery, emotional manifestations such as depression, anxiety, sadness and tears may appear within 1 to 2 weeks after delivery; generally, such emotional manifestations may occur within 1 to 2 weeks after delivery. After the negative emotions appear briefly, they can return to normal.

However, for postpartum women who lack the help of their husbands and elders, being alone in confinement and taking care of their babies can be said to be one of the risk factors for postpartum depression.

And what exactly is the “lack of sexual interest” after childbirth?

“The causes of lack of sexual interest in women are complex and the symptoms vary. There are four common manifestations:

First/Pain during sexual intercourse, the muscles around the vagina involuntarily contract and spasm, causing pain;

Secondary/loss of libido;

Third/difficulty in sexual arousal;

Fourth/Inability to reach orgasm, etc.

These symptoms are what medical science calls sexual dysfunction. Clinically, sexual dysfunction can only be diagnosed if one of the above four symptoms is met, lasts for 6 months or more, and causes personal pain to the woman. “

She said that some women may not have any problems with sexual desire or interest, or decreased orgasm, but they do not feel pain. In this case, sexual dysfunction cannot be diagnosed.

Health problems cause sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction related to postpartum is often related to physiological and psychological factors. The main factors can be divided into several types:

1. Trauma during childbirth, such as caesarean section, may cause pain in the area around the vagina due to incision and tearing, reducing sexual interest and ability to arouse;

2. During breastfeeding, due to low estrogen levels, the vagina may become dry, causing discomfort during sexual intercourse;

3. Psychological and social pressure, changes in family decision-making and relationships caused by postpartum, long-term sleep deprivation, and stress caused by newborn health or parenting problems;

4. Postpartum depression;

5. Partner violence, which can include physical, psychological and sexual aspects. Violence in such relationships can reduce women’s self-esteem and self-confidence, leading to depression, PTSD, other psychological disorders and sexual dysfunction.

Of course, other health problems such as diabetes, postpartum depression, obesity, urinary incontinence, vaginal infections, etc. are all direct or indirect causes of sexual dysfunction. These conditions are often related to suspicion and childbirth, so postpartum sexual dysfunction occurs. risk.

In addition, research shows that women who already have sexual dysfunction before pregnancy are more likely to face postpartum sexual dysfunction.

As for how Chinese medicine treats postpartum frigidity? What is the direction of treatment? She believes that when women experience sexual dysfunction after childbirth, they can be treated from the perspective of the liver, spleen and kidneys. Through acupuncture, Chinese medicine, massage and other treatment techniques, we can achieve the effects of soothing the mood, improving energy and physical fitness, promoting the recovery of the female reproductive system and regulating hormones.

“In terms of dietary therapy, postpartum mothers can try to drink more rose tea, osmanthus tea, jasmine tea, etc., through soothing the liver and regulating qi, so that the liver qi, which is responsible for regulating emotions, flows smoothly, relieves stagnation of liver qi, and helps relieve breast cancer Pain and tight muscles, and relieve symptoms of emotional ups and downs.”

“In addition, eating more yams, lotus seeds, lilies, nuts and other foods can help enhance the digestion and absorption function and promote the repair of the pelvic and reproductive systems after childbirth by nourishing the spleen and kidneys, nourishing yin and concentrating the mind.”

Postpartum recovery begins after confinement is over

She said that the phenomenon of postpartum sexual dysfunction in women actually highlights the importance of postpartum repair. This is because the purpose of postpartum repair is not only to restore the body’s organs and functions to or close to the state before pregnancy, but also to strengthen the independent exercise of the pelvic floor muscles.

“Start prevention and treatment early after delivery to reduce the risk factors of sexual dysfunction. The best time for postpartum repair intervention is generally after the end of confinement, that is, from about the 42nd day to 6 months postpartum. “

Husbands and wives communicate more and tolerate each other

3 principles for postpartum sexual well-being

Facing your wife’s lack of “sexual interest” after childbirth, as a husband, what can you do to improve the situation?

Clinically, when postpartum mothers mention the reasons for their lack of sexual interest, most of them think that taking care of the baby, handling housework and three meals are enough to consume most of their energy. In addition, long-term lack of sleep or no one at home to share the housework, resulting in their It is physically and mentally difficult to be interested in sex or to concentrate on enjoying married life.

Feeling inferior due to body changes

Wen Yongxin pointed out that some mothers find it difficult to accept the changes in their bodies after giving birth. They think that they have become fatter, have loose muscles, and have poor appearance, etc., which leads to a sense of inferiority. They think that their husbands will dislike them and reject her. Mothers can also enjoy a happy life and improve their quality of life. Postpartum rehabilitation and health care are essential.

Women after giving birth can follow the following principles when properly arranging their postpartum sex life:

First, whether it is a caesarean section or natural birth, sexual intercourse should be prohibited within the first month after delivery. Because after giving birth, mothers will have lochia, just like menstruation, which can last for up to three or four weeks. Premature sexual intercourse can easily cause uncomfortable symptoms such as infection, vaginal laceration, bleeding pain, etc. It can easily induce postpartum women’s strong disgust and even fear of sexual life. For some people with delayed healing of scars caused by uterine vaginal or caesarean section surgery, they should avoid sexual intercourse for 4 to 6 weeks after delivery.

Second, if you don’t have menstruation during lactation, you may ovulate and you may get pregnant. Therefore, if you do not plan to have children, it is recommended to use condoms for birth control. For mothers who have menstrual irregularities before pregnancy or who are breastfeeding, try to avoid taking birth control pills for contraception unless prescribed by a doctor.

Third, postpartum sexual life should not be rough or excessively frequent to avoid vaginal tearing. Generally, it is more appropriate to start with once or twice a week, so that the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organs have sufficient time to recover.

Don’t have sex for too long

“In addition, the husband is also responsible for taking care of the physical and mental recovery of the postpartum mother and reducing the occurrence of the wife’s lack of nature. The suggestions are as follows: understand the physical and mental state of the postpartum woman and maintain a correct concept of sexual behavior.”

Due to the huge changes in women’s physical and mental health after childbirth, women’s sexual life, sexual desire and sexual satisfaction tend to decline. This situation will continue to exist as the breastfeeding time increases; therefore, couples should communicate and reduce their concerns about sexual life. A sense of expectation and avoid asking the other party to have sex too much.

She reminded that sexual life does not have to have orgasm as the ultimate goal. It is not recommended that the time of each sexual intercourse be too long, so as not to affect the wife’s rest and consume too much energy. It is appropriate to spend 20 to 30 minutes each time, and pay more attention to it. In the act of hugging and caressing, praise and recognize your wife’s efforts in a timely manner.

Devote yourself wholeheartedly to married life

“In addition, attention should be paid to protecting the mother’s breasts, because when a mother is breastfeeding, her breasts are often filled with a lot of milk. If they are compressed, the breast tissue will be injured, painful and cause severe discomfort, which in turn will lead to the occurrence of breast diseases and affect the baby’s subsequent breastfeeding. .”

“Finally, and most importantly, the husband has the responsibility to create an environment where the wife can enjoy sex with peace of mind, such as taking the initiative to do housework and take care of the children, so that the wife can have more rest time and replenish her energy, while also allowing her to You can devote yourself fully to your married life and reduce the possibility of feeling guilty or uneasy because of your child’s crying.”

In general, to improve the lack of sexual interest after childbirth, both husband and wife need to work together to properly communicate, understand and tolerate each other, so that they can have higher satisfaction in their married life.

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