How long after childbirth can a new mother resume sexual activity?

by cshelive9520 on 2012-03-04 22:02:49

A. Contraception is Indispensable: Research shows that women who do not breastfeed may resume ovulation around 40 to 50 days postpartum, while those who partially breastfeed may resume ovulation between 3 to 8 months postpartum. Even fully breastfeeding women have a pregnancy rate of over 2%. However, many women believe they cannot get pregnant after childbirth, especially those who partially or fully breastfeed, assuming that they cannot conceive while nursing. Therefore, they often "confidently" neglect contraception. The result is that menstruation has not yet resumed, and they are already "secretly pregnant." The uterus during the postpartum breastfeeding period is more fragile, and if an abortion is performed during breastfeeding pregnancy, it can easily lead to serious surgical complications such as uterine perforation, adversely affecting women's physical and mental health. Therefore, once sexual activity resumes after childbirth, reliable contraceptive measures should be implemented, such as intrauterine devices and condoms.

B. Sexual Activity Should Be Moderate, Movements Gentle: The ovarian function of breastfeeding women is suppressed postpartum, and the follicles in the ovaries are dormant. These dormant, undeveloped follicles cannot produce estrogen. The vaginal mucosa, lacking the effects of estrogen, is not only thinner but also more fragile and lacks elasticity. Therefore, after resuming sexual activity postpartum, the amplitude of penile thrusting during intercourse should not be too large, the frequency should not be too fast, and the movements should not be too intense, especially during the first sexual encounter where restraint is advised. If the thrusting amplitude is large, the penis is inserted too deeply, and the frequency is too fast, it can cause vaginal tears. Among these, crescent-shaped transverse tears in the posterior fornix of the vagina are particularly common. The main manifestation of vaginal tears caused by postpartum sexual activity is active vaginal bleeding after intercourse, with relatively bright red blood, and some women may experience pain. Once active bleeding occurs after intercourse, timely medical attention should be sought to avoid excessive bleeding. After diagnosis, suturing the tear usually leads to healing.

C. Sexual Activity Should Not Be Premature: The recovery of the uterus and complete rehabilitation of perineal incision wounds require at least six weeks. Therefore, resuming sexual activity postpartum is best around eight weeks. A postpartum checkup should be conducted before resuming sexual activity. Currently, women who deliver vaginally, whether through normal delivery or difficult delivery, almost always undergo an episiotomy. After the fetus and placenta are delivered, the episiotomy wound needs to be sutured. During the healing process of the episiotomy wound, granulation tissue in the vaginal mucosa is a common occurrence. If granulation tissue is not removed, it can impede the normal healing of the vaginal mucosa. Moreover, since granulation tissue is fragile, it can easily be damaged and bleed during postpartum sexual intercourse.

It is recommended that postpartum women visit the hospital for a postpartum checkup before resuming sexual activity to promptly identify any abnormal conditions such as granulation tissue in the wound and receive timely treatment.

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