How to Increase Libido Postpartum

New parenthood comes with so many changes - some good, others not so much. Low libido postpartum can take a toll on your mental well-being while straining your relationship.

Unfortunately, low sex drive postpartum is very common. It’s the result of hormonal changes, new sources of stress, and chronic fatigue. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost for your sex life, though. We’ll show you how to increase libido postpartum below.

From dietary changes to lifestyle adjustments, and even things as simple as talking to your partner and reigniting that flame that seems to have burnt out - there are plenty of ways to address postpartum sex drive issues.

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Is Low Sex Drive Postpartum Common?

All these changes going on in your life right now can feel like an overwhelming whirlwind. It’s easy for early parenthood to feel isolating, but if it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. Low sex drive postpartum is very common.

Anywhere from 41% to 83% of women experience some level of sexual dysfunction at 2-3 months postpartum. At 6 months postpartum, 64% of women still report issues with their libido.

While postpartum sex drive issues tend to subside with time, that’s not always the case. Some women still deal with problems up to 18 months after bringing their baby earth side.

Be clear, this is not a reflection of a lack of love or attraction toward a partner. Rather, it’s a natural response to the physical and emotional demands of postpartum life.

Bringing new life into this world is no easy feat, and it makes sense that there is going to be some recovery time after the fact - both physically and mentally.

Causes of Low Libido Postpartum

So what causes low libido postpartum? After all, understanding the inner workings of what’s dampening your sex drive is the first step in how to increase libido postpartum.

Let’s take a step back - what is libido influenced by in general? It ranges from hormonal to physical and emotional factors. This is to say that postpartum libido problems can be a complex web that needs to be untangled.

Hormonal Fluctuations and Recovery Time

Childbirth triggers a dramatic reduction in estrogen and progesterone, both of which are elevated during pregnancy. These are essential hormones for a healthy libido.

Meanwhile, breastfeeding mothers experience an increase in a different hormone, known as prolactin. This hormone stimulates milk production which is important for obvious reasons, but it further suppresses ovulation and estrogen.

These hormonal imbalances can cause vaginal dryness, which makes intimacy uncomfortable or even painful. But it gets even worse - testosterone dips as well, which is not only important for male libido but also for females.

Physical Recovery After Childbirth

It’s no secret that new life emerging from your body takes a physical toll. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section, your body needs time to heal.

Vaginal tears, stitches, or perineal pain can make the idea of sex unappealing and scary. Moms that had a C-section deal with incision pain or core weakness, too. Even minor postpartum aches and soreness linger, leaving new moms feeling disconnected from their bodies.

Mental Health Factors

Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety about being a new mother are all too common - and these can impact postpartum sex drive as well. Sleepless nights, round-the-clock care, and hormonal imbalances can make even small tasks feel monumental.

PPD can also create feelings of inadequacy or guilt in new moms, making them too self-conscious to open themselves up to physical intimacy. Even without clinical depression, the emotional highs and lows of adjusting to motherhood impact postpartum sex drive.

Changes in Relationship Dynamics

You may already be starting to see how adding another member to your family can complicate things. Time once spent focusing on each other is now dedicated to feeding, diaper changes, and soothing cries.

So many couples find that this shift creates intimacy-related issues - both physical and emotional. These problems can build on themselves and get worse over time, especially if you don’t address them.

Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation

Get used to sleepless nights - they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Parenting with a newborn means a few hours of rest is actually a good night, but this is not nearly enough for a healthy adult.

This leaves little room for energy as you’re constantly exhausted. Breastfeeding depletes a new mom’s energy even further. Don’t worry, though. As we get into how to increase libido postpartum below, we’ll share tips on addressing this and all the other causes above.

How to Increase Libido Postpartum

We shared quite a few natural ways to increase libido while pregnant in a previous guide, and many of those suggestions will apply to postpartum sex drive as well.

However, now that your baby is here you have even more tactics to safely use for postpartum libido problems. That being said, there are a few new challenges - most notably, the physical recovery side of things.

Focus on Physical Recovery First

As we touched on earlier, it’s important to give your body time to heal before you even think about having sex again. Your body has been through a monumental process, whether it was a vaginal delivery or a C-section.

Your healthcare provider will likely give you a timeline for when healthy sex is possible once again. Most suggest somewhere between 4-6 weeks.

Remember, postpartum recovery isn’t just physical recovery either - it’s also about feeling comfortable in your skin again. Start with small, body-positive steps, like wearing clothes that make you feel good or doing gentle stretches to ease tension.

Have the Uncomfortable Conversation

We know that talking about sex - or in this case, a lack thereof - can be uncomfortable. It’s 100% necessary, though. The effects of lack of physical intimacy in a relationship are only going to continue to get worse until you do. You’ll feel so much better once you get it out of the way.

Share how you’re feeling physically and emotionally without assigning blame. Your partner may not understand what you’re going through unless you explain it.

You can follow the advice in our guide on how to talk to your partner about lack of intimacy if you are unsure how to bring it up. It’s not rocket science, though. Use “I” statements to express your thoughts, like, “I’m feeling overwhelmed and it’s affecting how I connect with you.”

Self-Care for New Moms

It’s easy to put yourself last when you’re caring for a baby, but you can’t pour into others from an empty glass. Offload responsibilities onto your partner or other family members wherever you can. Even just a few minutes to yourself daily can make a massive difference.

Whether it’s a hot shower, reading a book, or meditating for ten minutes, small acts of self-care can help you reconnect with yourself. Then, it becomes easier to reconnect with others.

Sleep is a huge part of this. Yes, newborns disrupt sleep patterns - that doesn’t mean you can’t nap at the same time as them during the day, though. Resist the urge to catch up on chores when you put them down for a nap.

Build up Non-Sexual Physical Intimacy

In our comparison of physical vs emotional intimacy we unpack all the different types of intimacy. Focusing on non-sexual forms will help open the door for sex down the road.

Hold hands, cuddle on the couch, or exchange massages. Simple touch can reignite feelings of closeness without the pressure to perform. The best approach is a slow, steady one. Give yourself and your partner time to explore what feels comfortable.

Boost Libido Through Diet

The foods you eat (and those you avoid) play an important role in raising your postpartum libido. Nutrient-dense foods like leafy greens, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats should make up the bulk of your diet.

Dark chocolate, avocados, and nuts can deliver the energy and nutrients your body needs to be sexually healthy. Speaking of which, we have a detailed guide on the dark chocolate benefits sexually.

So, does dark chocolate increase sex drive? Why is chocolate an aphrodisiac? What kind of chocolate is an aphrodisiac? Here at Tabs, we’ve devised a powerful solution for reigniting passion in the bedroom when the flame seems to have burned out.

Our sex chocolate has helped more than 200,000 individuals enjoy more pleasurable and fulfilling experiences with their partners. What is sex chocolate made from, though - how does Tabs chocolate work?

It starts with dark chocolate, but we’ve included some of the most powerful aphrodisiacs as well. That includes maca, kanna, and epimedium (horny goat weed). The Tabs chocolate ingredients are closely studied to improve libido in men and women alike.

Just make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before trying sex chocolate if you’re still breastfeeding. Your baby consumes everything you do, after all. Learn more about Tabs chocolate for women here:

The Role of Exercise

One of the top tips on how to increase libido postpartum is working out. So, how does exercise increase libido? There are a few different ways.

Exercise doesn’t just help postpartum libido physically - it can improve your mood and self-esteem. When you look good, you feel good!

Remember that physical recovery from giving birth should take precedence. Once you get the green light from your doctor, start with postpartum-safe exercises, like gentle yoga or walking. Work up to strength training or cardio as your body heals.

Regular movement increases blood flow, improves stamina, and releases feel-good endorphins, all of which can naturally enhance libido. Don’t overlook this postpartum sex drive tip.

Consider Natural Remedies and Enhancements

Certain vitamins for female libido and herbs for female libido have their place in improving postpartum sex drive, but always make sure they’re safe for your child if you’re breastfeeding still.

Is Sex Therapy a Good Idea?

We hope these tips on how to increase libido postpartum help you restore sex drive after birth. If not, you may need to take things a step further and talk with an expert.

A trained therapist can guide you and your partner through the emotional and physical challenges of postpartum intimacy. This is a safe space to address insecurities, resolve conflicts, and rediscover what intimacy looks like in this new chapter of life.

You don’t need to wait for things to feel “bad” to consider therapy, either. Even a few sessions can make a massive difference. Find more tips on how to bring back intimacy in a marriage in our blog.

When Does Libido Come Back Postpartum?

These tips on how to increase libido postpartum should help you raise your sex drive. Still, you want to know - when does libido come back postpartum? There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline.

For some, the desire for intimacy comes back just weeks after giving birth, while others may take several months - or even longer - to feel ready for a sexual connection. That’s perfectly fine!

Most experts suggest waiting at least six weeks before trying sex so the body can heal. This is especially important if you had vaginal tearing, episiotomies, or a C-section.

Postpartum sex drive tends to rebalance itself around the three-to-six-month mark. However, breastfeeding mothers may still experience suppressed libido due to prolactin leaving you feeling more “mom mode” than “date night.”

It’s important to stay patient during this process. Comparing yourself to others or placing pressure on yourself can create unnecessary stress and make matters worse.

Again, if you still feel as if something isn’t right with your postpartum libido after 6-12 months, it isn’t a bad idea to talk with a healthcare professional. They may be able to refer you to a therapist or uncover underlying issues holding your postpartum sex drive back.

Parting Thoughts on Dealing With No Sex Drive Postpartum

That concludes our detailed overview of how to increase libido postpartum. While having no sex drive postpartum can be discouraging and take a toll on your relationship, you have more power than you might realize.

Be patient as your body heals, and work alongside your partner to slowly but surely rekindle intimacy. Make lifestyle adjustments with diet, exercise, and if necessary, libido enhancers or sex therapy.

Our blog has additional insights on how to deal with a partner with low libido, best libido booster for men, natural ways to increase libido while on birth control, supplements to increase libido while on antidepressants, and much more.

Your path to feeling confident and connected starts here at Tabs. Reconnect with your partner and yourself with our safe, effective sex chocolate. Talk with your doctor and ask them if this could be what you’ve been missing!