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Chapter 3 - Physiology of Pregnancy As Related to Sex
from Section 1 - General Issues
- By Silvia Barras Bermejo, Pablo Tobías González
Edited by Dan Farine, Pablo Tobías González
Book:

Sex and Pregnancy

Published online:

09 November 2022

Print publication:

27 October 2022, pp 15-22
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Summary

Throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy, there is a remarkable adaptation of the whole body to accommodate the growing uterus and fetus, as well as upcoming labor and delivery. Most of these physiological changes gradually regress over the postpartum, returning to prepregnancy levels from a few weeks up to 6 months later. The changes that occur in pregnancy have an important impact on a woman’s sexual functioning (desire, arousal, orgasm, sexual satisfaction). Despite the implications of these physiological changes during pregnancy, which affect intimacy and sexual function, these are seldom discussed by health professionals and care providers. The adjustments and changes in different systems throughout the pregnancy are explained in this chapter, focusing on those with implications for sexual function and the mechanisms behind them.