While the fact of the matter is that every woman is different, many women will find that, during pregnancy, their sex drive changes. Some women find that they want to have sex less during pregnancy, while others have an increased desire to get it on.
On average, however, a woman’s sex drive will go through some changes during the course of pregnancy:
- During the early part of pregnancy, a woman may find that she’s much more tired than normal. This often leads to a decreased libido. Add to that the fact that many women experience almost around the clock morning sickness, and it’s no wonder that some women have a decreased sex drive during these early days of pregnancy. That said, some women feel a newfound freedom after becoming pregnant, especially if they’ve been trying to conceive for some time. This may actually increase their sex drive.
- The middle part of pregnancy is a common time for a woman’s sex drive to return. At this point, the woman is free from morning sickness and much of the fatigue or tiredness of early pregnancy. She’s not yet facing an expanding uterus, and there is an increased blood flow to the woman’s genital area. This stage of pregnancy also has higher degrees of vaginal moisture and nipple sensitivity for some women due to hormone changes.
- The final trimester can be downright uncomfortable. Forget for a moment the logistics of having sex with a growing belly, the fact is that many women face self-esteem and body image issues during the third trimester. This can lead to decreased libido, as well.
The most important thing to remember is that, no matter what’s happening to your sex drive during pregnancy, it’s normal. There is no hard and fast rule about what you should feel during pregnancy, and the key is to be accepting of yourself and to be honest and open with your partner about your changing sex drive.
