After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease while prolactin and oxytocin levels increase . Prolactin, which is secreted by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the breasts to produce milk. The prolactin level is very high in the early postpartum period in order to stimulate initial milk production. It drops to "two or three times the usual level at 2 or 4 weeks postpartum, increasing again tenfold in response to suckling" . Psychologically, prolactin induces maternal behavior: A lactating mother experiences a form of psychological tension, which can best be described as a feeling or need of always wanting to see and hold her baby .
Oxytocin, which is secreted by the posterior pituitary, has two major functions in relation to breastfeeding: a) a new mother feels her uterus contract during breastfeeding, and b) it is responsible for the milk ejection reflex during breastfeeding and orgasm. Oxytocin has the opposite psychological impact as prolactin does: It calms the physiological tension induced by prolactin. Consequently, while breastfeeding, the mother will experience a sense of well-being and contentment. The consequences of these hormones are that each time a woman breastfeeds, she derives great pleasure from the experience and contact with her baby . As a result, all or a very great part of her needs for affection are met through breastfeeding even if she is only partially breastfeeding. This is healthy and normal. However, one result is that the breastfeeding woman will likely have a decreased need to seek out her partner for pleasure and affection.
describes this as a type of affection anesthesia. The breastfeeding mother should be aware of the effects of these hormones, so she can be helped to simultaneously maintain her bond of affection with her partner while bonding with her baby. Otherwise, the primary partner may feel excluded to the point of seeking another partner .
Another important consequence of lactation is the lack of vaginal lubrication when the breastfeeding mother becomes sexually excited. Vaginal dryness may cause pain when sexual intercourse is attempted. This situation is easily resolved by using a sterile water-based lubricating gel like K-Y Jelly. This is spread on the vulva and into the vagina. The partner can also spread some on his genital area before penetration. This facilitates not only sexual penetration but also mutual caressing. If couples use saliva and vaginal secretions for this purpose, quantities may not be sufficient and lubrication not effective, resulting in pain.
Sexual Arousal During Breastfeeding
One issue rarely mentioned is that the breastfeeding experience is very sensuous in itself and some mothers may become aroused during breastfeeding . This is a normal phenomenon. Yet, mothers may feel guilty if they have these feelings. Consequently, some may decide to stop breastfeeding. Should a mother decide to speak about such feelings, both lay people and health care professionals may be shocked, may ridicule her, and may even report her to child protection services .
explicitly explains that some breast- feeding mothers exacerbate the potential for this experience if they cross their legs while they feed their babies. As a result, the labia minora may rub against each other, potentially leading to the stimulation of the clitoris. The mother could experience deep orgasm from clitoral stimulation and uterine contractions from oxytocin. Though Ganem has been very open about this issue, Newton presented the idea when she first wrote about the comparison between breastfeeding behavior and coital orgasm back in 1955.
describes the parallel reactions between breastfeeding and coital orgasm: a) uterine contractions are present in both processes; b) nipple erection occurs during both suckling and sensual excitement; c) breast stroking and nipple stimulation occur during both breastfeeding and sexual foreplay; d) emotions aroused by both types of contact involve skin changes; e) milk let-down or the milk ejection reflex may be triggered during both, f) the emotions experienced during sexual arousal and the emotions experienced during uninhibited, unrestricted breastfeeding may be closely allied, and g) an accepting attitude toward sexuality may be related to an accepting attitude toward breastfeeding . Women need to be reassured that while pelvic sexual arousal is not a common response to breastfeeding, when these feelings occur they are normal.
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