Some women experience discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, but this will usually improve with time. Your body will need time to heal, especially if you had a difficult birth or tearing.
Most providers recommend waiting until the 6 week postpartum checkup before considering having sexual intercourse. Many women prefer to wait longer.
- Pain with sex after childbirth
- 86% of first time moms experience pain the first time that they have vaginal sex after giving birth. This percent decreases with time, from 45% at 3 months postpartum to 23% at 18 months postpartum.
- Only 10% of those who reported pain had severe pain.
- Vaginal estrogen may be an option for vaginal dryness.
- Pelvic floor physical therapy can also be an option if other causes have been ruled out and/or have tried other treatments and have not been helpful.
