Sex After Baby: What to Expect and How Pelvic Floor PT Can Help
Bringing a baby into the world is an incredible experience, but it’s no secret that your body goes through major changes during pregnancy and birth. As you start to heal postpartum, many people find that sex feels different — and sometimes, it’s not in a good way. Pain, dryness, decreased sensation, or even fear around intimacy are more common than you might think.
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we help patients navigate these changes with compassion, education, and specialized care to help you reconnect with your body and restore comfort.
Why Sex Can Feel Different After Birth
Your pelvic floor plays a huge role in intimacy, and when it’s been stretched, stitched, or put under strain during pregnancy and delivery, it can take time to recover. Here are a few reasons sex might feel different postpartum:
Pelvic floor muscle tension or weakness: Muscles may become tight from guarding or weak from stretching and delivery.
Scar tissue: Perineal tearing or C-section scars can cause sensitivity or pulling sensations.
Hormonal changes: Lower estrogen levels during breastfeeding can lead to vaginal dryness.
Nervous system sensitivity: Birth can be both physically and emotionally intense, which may heighten sensitivity or cause fear of pain.
These factors can make intimacy feel uncomfortable — but they’re not permanent. With the right guidance and care, things can improve significantly.
How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Can Help
Pelvic floor physical therapy focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and coordination in the muscles that support your bladder, bowels, and sexual function. For postpartum patients, this can make a world of difference in comfort and confidence during intimacy.
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we:
Assess your pelvic floor for tightness, weakness, or scar tissue restrictions.
Use gentle manual therapy to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Teach you breathing and relaxation strategies to help your body feel safe and supported.
Guide you through gradual return-to-intimacy education at your pace, with no pressure.
Address any leakage, pelvic heaviness, or discomfort that may also be present.
Our goal is to help you feel comfortable, confident, and connected again — both physically and emotionally.
When to Seek Help
If you’re still experiencing pain, dryness, or discomfort with intimacy 6–8 weeks postpartum (or anytime later), pelvic floor physical therapy can help. Even if you’ve been told “everything looks fine,” that doesn’t mean everything feels fine — and that matters.
Every person’s recovery is different, and you deserve care that’s tailored to your experience and your goals.
Let’s Work Together
At Rhode Island Pelvic Wellness, we take a whole-person approach to postpartum recovery. We focus on creating a supportive, safe environment where your body’s story is heard and your healing process is respected. Whether you had a vaginal or cesarean birth, we help you rebuild strength, reduce pain, and restore confidence — including when it comes to intimacy.
Want to learn more about who we are and why we’re different? Meet our team and approach here.
Have questions about what pelvic floor PT involves? Check out our FAQ page for more details about what to expect at your first visit.
Ready to take the next step in your postpartum recovery? Explore our services and see how we can help you feel more like yourself again.
