Read what Tampa’s best rated pelvic therapist has to share about the effect of breastfeeding on your pelvic health!
Parents should never be discouraged from breastfeeding due to the benefits to both baby & parent. However, recent research shows that lactation can have a negative effect on the pelvic floor. Thankfully, this side effect is easily manageable and usually reverses with some help (read 
) or once the baby has weaned.
Perimenopausal and menopausal women also experience similar vaginal dryness, which can often be corrected with the information listed below.
Hormonal Challenges with Postpartum & Breastfeeding
Lactation causes a state of low estrogen in the breast/chestfeeding parent, which leads to changes to the tissues of the vaginal canal and pelvic floor. Women may experience dryness of the vaginal tissues causing easy irritation & pain with intimacy. Some women also experience discomfort from tight underwear and clothing due to friction causing damage to the newly sensitive tissues.
Another common issue caused by the low estrogen state of postpartum is the loss of tissue bulk in the vaginal walls. As a result, women may experience a lack of support in the pelvis or the feeling of “falling out” or “bearing down” of their pelvic organs & tissues. This loss of tissue bulk can cause or worsen pelvic organ prolapse. It can also cause urinary leaking due to less support around the base of the bladder, and constipation due to insufficient emptying of the bowels.
Lactation and postpartum can also reduce the natural vaginal lubrication that is produced, making intimacy painful and not pleasurable. This can happen even when the postpartum woman is aroused and wishes to be sexually intimate, causing frustration and strain to intimate relationships.
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Simple Solutions for a Healthier Postpartum Pelvic Floor
Here are our best tips for keeping your pelvic floor healthy while lactating!
The following is not medical advice, and receiving clearance from your medical provider is recommended before trying these –
- Once cleared for intimacy, use a glycerin and alcohol-free lubricant for all intimacy (even with fingers!). Most drugstore brands contain these harmful chemicals that lubricate in the short term, but cause increased dryness between uses.
- Talk to your OB/GYN, Midwife, or pelvic floor therapist about using a specially formulated vaginal moisturizer or an edible oil such as coconut oil to moisturize the outside & inside of your vulva. Always use clean fingers for application, and use the product of your choice solely for this purpose!
- Eating food with healthy fats like Omega 3 fatty acids and phytoestrogens (plant based estrogen) may help your pelvic floor be healthier. Some foods to include may be pumpkin, sesame seeds, ground flax, sunflower seeds, avocado and fatty fish.
- Ask your medical care provider about using hyaluronic acid vaginally. It’s similar to the hyaluronic acid in facial moisturizers and helps combat the dryness caused by Breastfeeding.
- If you work with a trusted herbalist, ask them about phytoestrogens. There are some herbs such as shatavari, that are safe to take when breastfeeding. These herbs typically work by balancing hormonal levels to improve vaginal lubrication.
Additional Assistance for your Pelvic Floor
If you continue to experience the pelvic floor dysfunctions mentioned above (vaginal dryness, loss of pelvic support, urinary incontinence, chronic constipation, painful intercourse), ask your medical care provider about other options such as topical estrogen cream and for a referral to pelvic floor therapy.
There is no reason to suffer with vaginal dryness and painful intimacy when several options exist to treat this common condition. If you’re suffering from pelvic health concerns, you can work with our 5-star rated pelvic floor therapists and sex counselor by clicking here.
Bookmark this post to refer to when you see you Gyn or Midwife, and share with a loved one who may have this concern!
Here’s to happy breastfeeding with a healthy pelvic floor!
