Effects of Breastfeeding on Sexual Sexuality

Author

Institution

Introduction

Issues pertaining to sexuality have always introduced a considerable amount of controversy thanks to the differing opinions. Indeed, sexuality has been one of the most controversial topics, especially considering that it touches on the fundamental existence of the human race. Sexuality, according to the America Psychological Association, underlines a broad area of study that relates to the gender identity an expression, sex, as well as sexual orientation of an individual. Human sexuality underlines the ability of an individual to have erotic experiences, as well as responses, and may influence an individual’s sexual attraction and interest in another person. Sexuality has varied facets including the spiritual, emotional, physical and biological aspects. The physical or emotional aspect pertaining to sexuality underlines the bond or connection that exists between people and is shown through profound feelings, as well as physical manifestations of caring, love and trust (Bartlett, A. (2005). The biological aspect, on the other hand, underlines the reproductive mechanism, as well as the fundamental biological drive that is controlled by hormones and exists in every other species. Needless to say, sexuality has been examined by scholars and researchers in varied fields, thanks to its importance and effect on the survival of human race. Indeed, scholars have been examining the varied aspects that influence or at least have a bearing on sexuality. Of particular importance has been the effect of breastfeeding on sexuality.

Since the second half of the 20th century, a trend has emerged in the United States where a large proportion of physicians and medical practitioners to encourage breastfeeding. While this trends or movement has not enjoyed the success that they may initially have hoped for as a larger number of mothers in the United States still continue using formula milk, the importance of breastfeeding cannot be gainsaid. Indeed, research has shown that breastfeeding improves the intelligence quotient (IQ) of a child, protects the child from ailments and even has a bearing on the physical and emotional development of the child. Indeed, it also enhances the relationship between the child and the mother. Nevertheless, quite a number of socioeconomic factors are seen as barriers or hindrances of the success of these efforts to promote breastfeeding. However, little research has been done on the effects that breastfeeding has on the mothers, especially with regard to their sexuality. Indeed, even among the physicians and medical practitioners who encourage breastfeeding, there is still a significant constraint in dealing or handling the issue of breastfeeding and sexuality. Scholars have noted that as the female breast has become eroticized in the western society, promotional messages pertaining to breastfeeding have usually shown a tacit or unspoken conformity to social conventions pertaining to female sexuality (Bartlett, A. (2005). Of course, any changes in the sexuality of a woman would go unnoticed in the initial stages of breastfeeding as the personal and couple time becomes crowded by the imperative needs with which the infant newcomer comes. At this time, the needs of the infant are the key focus of the family, with the unencumbered spontaneity that the couple enjoyed becoming replaced by the comfortable familiarity pertaining to the predictable routines and daily schedule of the infant. The formerly exciting activities are forced to give way to the completely new compelling interests pertaining to the matters of the baby including the color and health of the bowel movement, magnitudes of burps and even the quality of breastfeeding (Bartlett, A. (2005). Indeed, Scholars have noted that, in spite of the increased responsibility, stress and upheaval, a large number of couples ultimately discover that getting a child introduces an entirely new dimension to their relationship that may strengthen their bond and enhance their relationship. However, the story may be entirely different with regard to the woman’s sexuality. Indeed, breast feeding has a number of negative effects on the sexuality of the woman.

One of the key effects of breastfeeding on the sexuality of a woman revolves around the physical aspect. After giving birth, women are advised to keep off sexual intercourse until they do not have a bright red vaginal bleeding and are comfortable with it. Indeed, a large number of couples resume sexual relations between 4 and 5 weeks after giving birth and ultimately manage to have the same level of sexual intimacy that they enjoyed before the pregnancy (Bartlett, A. (2005). However, breastfeeding may be extremely exhaustive with a large number of mothers underlining the extreme preoccupation, depression and fatigue with which it comes. This often reduces sexual libido, in which case it would not be surprising that mothers who are overwhelmed and particularly exhausted would usually have little energy left to have sexual activity. This is especially so for mothers who have medical complications or who underwent delivery through the C-section as these would justifiably lake a little longer to recover from childbirth. Of course, the frequent complaint pertaining to being “too tired to have sex” is less common among new fathers than new mothers thanks to the disproportionate burden of responsibilities of infant care that women bear. While there may be numerous factors that may cause maternal exhaustion especially with regard to caring for the baby irrespective of the feeding method that is used, the exhaustion of breastfeeding has an immense bearing on the capacity of women to engage in sex (Bartlett, A. (2005). Indeed, studies have shown that breastfeeding women have significantly less interest in sex, less likelihood of having it and would have a higher likelihood of finding it more painful. Studies that examined women in the course of the weaning process also show that nursing has the capacity to suppress sexual activity. Women who undertook breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months completed a questionnaire pertaining to their health and their feelings up to a month after weaning off their babies (Hausman, 2003). Their responses given in the four weeks prior to the weaning process would then be compared with the responses that they gave in the four weeks after weaning them off. The research showed that within about 3 to 4 weeks of weaning their kids off, the participant had a significant increase in the level of sexual activity (Australian Breastfeeding Association, 2012). In addition, the study showed that the women had an improvement in their moods, as well as a reduction in fatigue, with the researchers noting that this would explain the larger part of the increase in the appetite for sex among the women.

In addition, breastfeeding has a bearing on the biological aspect of the nursing women, which may have a negative effect on their sexual drive. Scholars have, in fact, noted that the reduction in the sex drive of a woman would primarily result from the variations in the levels of hormones that occur in the nursing women (Hausman, 2003). Nursing women have been found to produce large amounts of a hormone called prolactin and low amounts of oestrogen, a combination that is thought to a decrease in interest in the sexual activity among breastfeeding women. Indeed, a study examining the link between hormonal levels showed that extremely low levels of hormones androstenedione and testorerone may cause a severe decrease in sexual interest in women who are breastfeeding. Indeed, the reduction was so severe that a comparison could not be made with the formula feeding group as the later group did not show any reduction whatsoever (Hausman, 2003). While this may not necessarily be providing conclusive proof especially considering the low number of formula feeding women, the stark contrast in the results would indicate that there could, in fact, be a connection between the decrease in hormone levels among breastfeeding women and the decreased sexual drive. On the same note, it is worth noting that hormones have a bearing on the level of comfort that a woman would experience in having sexual intercourse (Mabilia, 2005). Scholars note that immediately after giving birth, women do not experience ovulation, which, in essence, underlines the low levels of oestrogen. This would, essentially, make the vaginal cavity extremely dry, making any form of sexual activity considerably less comfortable and could even be injurious (Mabilia, 2005). As much as artificial lubrication using water-based lubricants may come in handy in such instances, scholars have noted that the sex would still be less enjoyable for the woman, which underlines the psychological aspect of the sexual activity. Indeed, research has shown that the breastfeeding mothers would take longer to get aroused compared to their formula feeding counterparts (Riordan & Wambach, 2010). Prolactin, nevertheless, is the primary culprit for the reduced sex drive among lactating or breastfeeding women. The hormone comes as nature’s way or technique for creating some space or reducing the rate at which a woman gives birth to children (Blum, 2000). This, in essence, allows the first child to be provided with the necessary nurturing prior to the arrival of another child who would compete for the same attention. Considering that women try to breastfeed their children for over a year, it is common to find their children are spaced approximately two years apart. While there are variations in this feeling and its duration among women, the hormone comes as a natural impediment to sexual arousal and interest in having sex amongst breastfeeding women (Fredregill & Fredregill, 2010). This is especially when the high levels of prolactin are complemented by the few hours of sleep that breastfeeding mothers enjoy. Of particular note is the fact that the levels of prolactin do not fall to their pre-pregnancy rates immediately breastfeeding stops rather it may take some time (Australian Breastfeeding Association, 2012). However, a woman may undergo a prolactin blood test to determine her level in case the sexual desire does not increase after a few months of quitting breastfeeding.

Nevertheless, there may be some external aspects to the link between breastfeeding and sexuality. As stated earlier, breastfeeding may induce exhaustion and depression in the mothers. In fact, breastfeeding women have been found to have higher levels of depression than their non nursing counterparts (Fredregill & Fredregill, 2010). This may result from the increased levels of progesterone required in the sustenance of pregnancy and present in high levels in nursing moms. Indeed, progesterone has been found to wreck havoc among premenstrual women causing moodiness, depression and breast tenderness (Blum, 2000). In essence, the women, more often than not, revert to antidepressants, whose effects have been known to result in a reduction in the mothers drive or interest in sex.

On the same note, it is imperative that the emotional or psychological aspect pertaining to sexual drive is examined. Indeed, sexuality in general and sexual arousal in particular have their roots in the emotional and psychological status of the woman and the man. Unfortunately, a large number of women are primarily concerned about their kids and tend to shut everyone and everything else out (Avery et al, 2000). This is more common among breastfeeding women than in formula feeding women. In addition, nursing women may experience fear of discomfort in the course of lovemaking, which may reduce their drive and interest in sex and cause them to give sexual intercourse a wide berth (Riordan & Wambach, 2010). This is compounded by the disconnection between the women and their partners, especially in instances where the partner feels that he may be hurting the breastfeeding woman and, therefore, become reluctant to initiate sex (Signorello et al, 2002). In addition, the increased tenderness of the breasts may make women even less capable of being aroused, which would essentially work down their capacity to enjoy sex. In some instances, the breasts of a nursing mom may become uncomfortably engorged and cracked, thereby becoming painful and interfering with lovemaking (Barrett et al, 2000). On the same note, the intense physical contact in the nursing relationship between the mother and the kid, more often than not, leaves some breastfeeding women with extremely little interest in the sexual advances of their partners (Avery et al, 2000). The breastfeeding women, having spent the larger part of the day with the kid at her breast, may perceive any additional physical contact from the partner as an extra demand on her body. Researchers have also speculated that breastfeeding may, in some way, meet the needs of a woman for intimate touching, in which case they have a reduction in the interest of being touched by their partners. Indeed, studies have shown that some women respond to breastfeeding in a sexual way and may even feel somehow aroused when undertaking the exercise (Signorello et al, 2002). Of particular note is the fact that this may have emanated from the hormones produced in the course of breastfeeding, thanks to the stimulation of the nipple, in which case the stimulation is still within the realm of the normal bodily responses or activities (Riordan & Wambach, 2010).

Still on the physiological and psychological aspects, the feelings of the breastfeeding mother may be affected especially with regard to the changes in her body, as well as her capacity to undertake sexual activity. This is especially compounded by the birth experience of the mother, which may affect feelings pertaining to her sexuality, her body, and even the physical effects pertaining to giving birth, drugs given in the course of labor and delivery, as well as postpartum hormonal adjustments (Avery et al, 2000). The feelings of the woman, especially with regard to the partner’s feelings about her breasts will have considerable impact on the woman’s postpartum sexuality.

As much as these effects of breastfeeding on sexuality may seem absolute, there may be some remedies that may result in the resumption of the sexual drive. First, it would be essential that the woman’s partner is extremely supportive and understanding (Barrett et al, 2000). In most cases, the partners may not understand why their partners are not into sexual activities as much as they used to be prior to the pregnancy and child birth. In fact, they may view such attitudes as rejection from their partners, which would not only breed marital problems but also may sink the woman deeper into disinterest, thanks to the increased levels of depression (Barrett et al, 2000). Second, seeking the attention of a physician would be essential especially with regards to any side effects of the medication used during labor and after giving birth. Some forms of medication may be reacting negatively to the woman’s body thereby producing undesirable effects. This is the same case for the delayed resumption of sex drive months after weaning off the child, as there may be other factors at play. On the same note, health complications pertaining to breastfeeding such as cracking of breasts, wounds and even breast infections would need the attention of the physician, not only for the enhancement of the sex drive of the woman, but also to protect the child and the mother. Diets also play a key role in enhancing the health and sexual drive of the breastfeeding woman (Fredregill & Fredregill, 2010). Nevertheless, it is imperative that the couple comes up with other ways of engaging in intimacy without necessarily engaging in sexual activity or coitus (penetration). These would not only spell satisfaction for the couple but also increase the speed of resumption of the sex drive or interest.

In conclusion, issues pertaining to sexuality have always introduced a considerable amount of controversy thanks to the differing opinions. Sexuality has spiritual, physical and biological aspects. Volume of research has been dedicated to the determination of factors that would affect sexuality with particular interest in breast feeding. This is especially considering the recent increase in the drive for breastfeeding rather than formula feeding. Indeed, breastfeeding has a bearing on the intelligence quotient of the child, as well as his physical and emotional development (Barrett et al, 2000). However, little research has been done on the effects of breastfeeding on the mothers especially with regard to sexuality. Nevertheless, breastfeeding has a negative effect on the woman’s sexuality. First, it comes with an immense amount of exhaustion with the parents striving to ensure that they take care of every need of the child. In addition, low amounts of oestrogen are produced alongside high amounts of progesterone and prolactin, a combination that would result in a decrease in sex drive (Signorello et al, 2002). Progesterone would cause depression, while prolactin causes vaginal dryness, a combination that would make sex less interesting and more hurtful and uncomfortable. In addition, breastfeeding women may be uncomfortable about their bodies and the changes that they may have experienced. Breastfeeding also introduces quite a lot of touching on the woman, which has been shown to cause them to be aroused (Riordan & Wambach, 2010). They may, therefore, derive some intimacy from the same, in which case they would be unwilling to endure more touching from their spouses or even have some penetration. Lastly, breastfeeding may also cause some complications on the woman especially in instances where the woman experiences pain or has cracks on the breasts. Nevertheless, it takes more than one factor for breastfeeding to reduce an woman’s sex drive, in which case it would be imperative that medical attention is sought if the sex drive does not resume after weaning off the child.

References

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