Childbirth Changes Sexual Desires of Both Parents

Sex doesn't remain the same after childbirth. A new study has found that both parents undergo a change in sexual desires after the birth of their baby and that these shifts have nothing to do with the physical changes associated with childbirth.

Previous research has focused on a woman's sexuality after giving birth. Studies have shown that sexual desire after childbirth is more affected by psychological issues rather than the physical factors.

The present study found that even men have significant changes in sexual desires, postpartum.

The study was conducted by Sari van Anders, PhD, of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and her colleagues and included data of 114 men and women. All the participants completed a questionnaire about sexuality after the birth of their child.

Results showed that male partners experience changes in sexuality just like their female counterparts. And, it wasn't just due to biological or medical reasons like hormones changing the way the partners behaved. Researchers found that caring for the baby and fatigue were two major reasons that resulted in low desire for sex.

"Our findings help to clarify how co-parents experience sexuality in myriad ways that are contextualized within partner and parenting relationships," said Dr. van Anders, according to a news release.

"What is of note is that we have come to recognize that sexual health of one partner may be related to the sexual health of the other, no matter the cause of the change in sexuality. It is important to publish studies in all aspects of sexual health," said Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The study is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.