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Sex during pregnancy: should it hurt?
I am two months pregnant and have always enjoyed sex. Sex has become uncomfortable and making love a second time in the same day is impossible. This does not seem to be from lack of lubrication. Why is this happening, and what can I do to make sex pain-free again?
It is not uncommon for a woman's sex drive to wane during early and late pregnancy. During the first trimester, physical symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness and cramping may interfere with desire. Emotionally, a woman may feel less than desirable or her thoughts may turn inward towards the baby and less towards her own pleasure.
Even though couples know intellectually that intercourse under most circumstances will not harm the pregnancy or the baby, both women and men may have secret fears of being so close to the developing embryo. Such thoughts may decrease enjoyment.
Vaginal tissues may become more easily irritated during pregnancy and long sessions of lovemaking or repeated episodes may no longer be comfortable or enjoyable. Additional lubrication, even though you feel this may not be the problem, may be helpful and enjoyable.
Some women experience cramping during intercourse because the cervix descends lower into the vagina during pregnancy. Due to the increased vascularity of the cervix, some women may also have a small amount of spotting after sex.
You may explore alternative positions, which cause less irritation. Or you may decide to try alternatives to intercourse that can be just as pleasurable.
There is a positive side to sex during pregnancy. The hormones of pregnancy, especially progesterone, cause increased vascularity in the vagina and external genitalia. For some, this is a pleasurable sensation and may actually make it easier to achieve orgasm. Some couples also discover lovemaking, free from condoms, diaphragms and gels, to be especially liberating and more fun.
You may find that this situation improves during the second trimester, when the symptoms of pregnancy become less troublesome. Hopefully, you have a supportive partner who is willing to be patient and experiment with different positions, and does not take new adjustments to your sex life as a sign of rejection.
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