What Eileen didn't expect when she was expecting was a change in her sexual function after the birth of her baby. Eileen and Edward resumed intimate relations as per the doctor's order at six weeks postpartum. Although Eileen felt closer than ever to Edward she was surprised that sexually things felt different. Her doctor recommended Kegel exercises but after many weeks, they didn't help with her lack of sexual sensation.

Eileen emailed me after hearing a segment on my radio show the Sunday Night Health Show with Dr. Bruce Alan an obstetrician and gynecologist. We spoke about those sensitive issues that may occur after a woman has a baby such as physical, psychological and relationship changes.

Women tell Dr. Alan that things have changed sexually after childbirth, it's not as pleasurable and they're not as engaged in intercourse anymore which may lead to relationship issues. Dr. Alan explained that after childbirth women experience a combination of tone and tissue changes due to the distention of the vagina during a vaginal delivery which is referred to as vaginal laxity or looseness.

The vaginal tissue is composed of collagen and elastin. With the stretching of the tissues during a vaginal delivery, collagen and elastin are lost. Kegel exercises may help to increase muscle tone but won't help with the sensation.

Restoration of collagen in the vaginal tissues is needed to improve sexual sensation for women. Dr. Alan and I discussed Geneveve by Viveve a new radio frequency, energy type treatment that heats the vaginal tissues and stimulates fibroblasts which are important in the restoration of collagen and elastin.

Genevieve, by Viveve is a safe, quick, painless and effective procedure that a woman can have performed in her doctor's office on her lunch hour. There's no risks, complications or downtime. By improving sexual sensation with Geneveve by Viveve.com Geneveve women can enjoy intercourse again!

Although a woman does this treatment for herself to make sex more pleasurable, Geneveve by Viveve Geneveve has a significant impact on relationships. Dr. Alan has had tremendous feedback from many women, who've told him Geneveve by Viveve has saved their marriages.

To hear the full interview please go to: Sunday Night Health Show December 18, 2017 show.

Maureen McGrath is a registered nurse, executive director of the Women's Health Initiative Network raising awareness about vaginal, sexual, uterine and bladder health. She is in clinical practice in North Vancouver. She also hosts the Sunday Night Sex Show on CKNW, is a TEDx Speaker, and author of Sex & Health: Why One Can't Come Without the Other. Her radio show is a free download on iTunes. Sunday Night Health Show

To learn more about Geneveve by Viveve go to Geneveve

It is important to know there were significant changes that your body went through during your pregnancy.  Hopefully your doctor or midwife told you that things may feel a bit different, especially when it comes to sex.  Sex is not a subject often discussed once the baby is, born but it is important to know that eighty-three percent of women experience sexual problems in the first three months after their very first baby is born according to a recent study reviewed by Dr Terri Foran from the Royal Hospital for Women. The most common sexual health issues during the first six months postpartum are orgasmic disorder, sexual desire dysfunction, sexual pain disorder and sexual arousal disorder.

During pregnancy, postpartum and/or breastfeeding, there may be changes to the hormones estrogen and progesterone which are produced in the ovaries. During pregnancy, the levels of these hormones increase dramatically. Because they are not discarded through your uterus leading to menses, they form the placenta which provides nourishment to your baby.

Once you give birth, estrogen and progesterone decrease significantly and are at pre-pregnancy levels within twenty-four hours after delivery.  If you choose to breastfeed, your body will naturally produce even less estrogen because it may interfere with milk production.

Estrogen is important for vaginal health and sexual arousal. When the estrogen levels decrease in your body, they also decrease in your vagina. This decrease in estrogen in your vagina may lead to vaginal dryness, decreased arousal and if you do engage in sexual intercourse six weeks after your delivery, may lead to painful sex.

The vaginal tissues may become thin and less elastic and you may notice a small amount of post-coital bleeding. You may also experience burning and itching. Ensure you are drinking adequate amounts of water-based fluids to keep your body well-hydrated.  Do not use anything with fragrance on your vaginal tissues as plain water is the best. Keep in mind, the vagina is like a self cleaning oven so there is no need to use soaps or anything fragrance.

Keeping intimacy alive is the key to sex after baby. Sex talk is vital and many increase arousal and lead to more satisfying sex according to research. It may be helpful to use a lubricant like Glide during sex but a personal moisturizer twice a week may work even better.  The personal moisturizers I recommend are all natural and hormone-free. Some of the personal moisturizers available on the market today are:

• Repagyn (an ovule that is inserted into the vagina that contains tea tree oil, vitamin E and Hyaluronic acid)
• Gynatrof (a gel that contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E)
• JoyGel (a cream with coconut oil, hyaluronic acid and African Yam)

Having a new baby is one of the most exciting times of your life. It is important to keep your sex life exciting too. Having a healthy vagina free from dryness is sure to get you back to the bedroom after the baby is born!