Aa
breastfeeding and sex drive
Hi,
I'm taking a class in reproductive endocrinology right now at college. We read a paper about a certain hormone (oxytocin) which is related to breastfeeding but also is related to orgasms and vaginal lubrication.
Being a class of largely college undergrads unexperienced in childbirth, we were wondering if when you are breastfeeding,
1) do you experience arousal from feeding your baby?
2) do you find you have an increased sex drive during the months while you're lactating/nursing?
Thanks for your help! It's in the name of (unofficial) research--future doctors in the class :o)
I'm taking a class in reproductive endocrinology right now at college. We read a paper about a certain hormone (oxytocin) which is related to breastfeeding but also is related to orgasms and vaginal lubrication.
Being a class of largely college undergrads unexperienced in childbirth, we were wondering if when you are breastfeeding,
1) do you experience arousal from feeding your baby?
2) do you find you have an increased sex drive during the months while you're lactating/nursing?
Thanks for your help! It's in the name of (unofficial) research--future doctors in the class :o)
does anyone remember back in the early 80's (i think) a woman was breastfeeding and experienced feelings of arousal? she called someone (a lactation consultant or someone in "that dept.") who she thought could help her explain these feelings that were confusing to her. well what happened was, the woman reported her to social services and the breastfeeding mom was arrested. on the flip side, remember that woman just a few years back, breastfed her what was he 6 years? they were on all kinds of shows.
i am one of the few and far between who bottle fed. i know i am the minority and i didnt like admitting i didnt breastfeed. i did try to breastfeed but was NOT comfortable at ALL!! it felt so incestous to me (even though i have a girl).
before my baby, my husband liked the ole boobs (even though im on the smaller end). then, to have my tiny, innocent baby sucking on them made me uncomfortable. i dont think i could have ever let my husband near them again if i breastfed. its all psychological.
i would love to know how men feel after watching their baby be breastfed for months on end and then being intimate with their wife. well, you know, "playing" with them. wouldnt men at that point see breasts as a food source and not a sexual object? are they "put off" by it? who knows, its probably a big turn on for them. just curious. i guess that would be like the guy seeing their baby come out during birth and then going "down there" during "relations". thats a whole 'nother can o worms!!
i am one of the few and far between who bottle fed. i know i am the minority and i didnt like admitting i didnt breastfeed. i did try to breastfeed but was NOT comfortable at ALL!! it felt so incestous to me (even though i have a girl).
before my baby, my husband liked the ole boobs (even though im on the smaller end). then, to have my tiny, innocent baby sucking on them made me uncomfortable. i dont think i could have ever let my husband near them again if i breastfed. its all psychological.
i would love to know how men feel after watching their baby be breastfed for months on end and then being intimate with their wife. well, you know, "playing" with them. wouldnt men at that point see breasts as a food source and not a sexual object? are they "put off" by it? who knows, its probably a big turn on for them. just curious. i guess that would be like the guy seeing their baby come out during birth and then going "down there" during "relations". thats a whole 'nother can o worms!!
I don't recall ever being turned on during breastfeeding. As a matter of fact, I was expecting to feel that, due to some of the info I had read regarding that issue. However, not only was I not turned on during breastfeeding, whenever my husband and i tried to resume normal sexual relations, I couldn't even be aroused in that area by my husband...(who is a hottie, btw...LOL)
It seems that my body had become a life sustaining entity and that is what i existed for. I was very "anti-sexual" for quite sometime. Actually, the thought of anyone touching me in intimate places was a turn-off--way too much sensory overload.
Hope this helps--MH
It seems that my body had become a life sustaining entity and that is what i existed for. I was very "anti-sexual" for quite sometime. Actually, the thought of anyone touching me in intimate places was a turn-off--way too much sensory overload.
Hope this helps--MH
A hormone called oxytocin gets much of the credit for forging the bond between a mother and her newborn. Some doctors even refer to it informally as "the cuddle hormone." Oxytocin levels jump during labour, and again each time a mother breastfeeds. But this same hormone also plays a role in sexual arousal.
I never got turned on at all with my son until he was about 6 months. Then it seems every time I feed him his afternoon "snack" before his nap, it is all I can do to not jump my husband! The lack of mucus is a bit troublesome, but that is why KY was invented. My babe is now 11 months, and I often have erotic feelings while he is feeding. The feelings are not towards my son at all. They are definitely towards my husband, and sometimes Brad Pitt :)
Yeah, teeth are a major turn off: ) Honestly, I breastfed both of my boys, one for 14 months, one for 15 months and now I see my breasts as a means for nourishing babies and probably always will. They no longer have a sexual function to me.
Many moons ago, I remember a similar thing coming up (may have been on TV or something like that)and couldn't believe that it was possible for women to become aroused while nursing. Really, it can be quite painful in the beginning and when they get teeth...ouch!
But you can't take too much stock in one woman's experience for your study. You are off to a good start, keep looking around, I am sure there are plenty of women who would offer you their thoughts on it.
Good luck!
Andi
Many moons ago, I remember a similar thing coming up (may have been on TV or something like that)and couldn't believe that it was possible for women to become aroused while nursing. Really, it can be quite painful in the beginning and when they get teeth...ouch!
But you can't take too much stock in one woman's experience for your study. You are off to a good start, keep looking around, I am sure there are plenty of women who would offer you their thoughts on it.
Good luck!
Andi
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