Pregnancy and Sexuality

Pregnant individuals and their partners experience a number of changes that can have a major impact on their lives, including the nature of their sexual relationship throughout the course of pregnancy. In this entry, the physical, emotional, and social factors that play a role in how pregnancy and sexuality interact will be explored. (Note: The language throughout this section will remain nongendered given that not all cis women are able or choose to become pregnant, and conflating pregnancy with “women” excludes trans women. Conversely, trans men or nonbinary individuals may also experience pregnancy.)

Physical changes in the body during pregnancy can impact a person’s sexual experience. Near the [Page 1295]end of the first trimester, the genitals of the female begin to swell due to increased blood ...