I have lost interest in sex after childbirth

Question: I am a 30-year-old woman and gave birth to a baby in January 2018. Since then I have lost my sex drive. I don’t like to get intimate with my husband and nothing turns me on. Please tell me what should I do as I always to escape from getting intimate with my husband?—By Anonymous

Response by Kamna Chhibber: There are numerous changes in a woman's life after giving birth to her baby. There are additional roles and responsibilities, time-consuming processes of child care, and the necessity of taking care of traditional chores. Simultaneously, all women experience substantive changes in their bodies and this too can cause a shift in how a woman feels about herself. The combination of these often affects intimacy.


However, it is important to know and understand the biological drives continue to exist albeit they are latent for some during this period. Give yourself time and find things to do for yourself which make you feel good about you and allow you to relax and unwind. The restoration of some sort of routines, as well as time for the self, are likely to help you experience changes in your need for intimacy as well. Additionally, you could also consider meeting a therapist or expert who would be able to provide support and inputs to help both of you through this difficult phase.


Kamna Chhibber is the Head (Mental Health), Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences at Fortis Healthcare


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