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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Cecilia's Mama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1282060/breastfeeding-and-libido#post_16076694"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br>
Yeah, my husband is very understanding and patient, but I know how hard this is on him. I do really feel that there is more to it than me being tired and touched out. I have heard from various friends that the first year after baby #1 is the hardest and that it does get better, and I am hoping that is the case. If not, I know that I also suffer from anxiety issues, and I do sometimes wonder if anxiety/depression is going on and I am too busy and worn out to really notice. I have always been high functioning with my depression, so it's tricky. But anxiety and depression can for sure affect libido. I hope to breastfeed my daughter until she is 2, unless she decides sooner that she is done, but after that, I may consider getting on medication if things aren't better.<br><br>
Thank you for the compliment! She is my dream come true. <img alt="love.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.mothering.com//images/smilies/love.gif"></div>
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<p>Hi Cecilia's Mama. <strong>Thank you</strong> for sharing about your depression and anxiety. I have a longstanding history with both. I have been on and off different meds since I was 19 (I am 40 now). I am hanging on unmedicated for now with compensatory activities including exercise, social contact (I am shy so this is hard), sunlight when I can get it, good nutrition, and breastfeeding (which is supposed to get a lot of those "happy" brain chemicals like serotonin kicking). I went off meds immediately when I found out I was pregnant (I hadn't even missed a period yet--stocked up on those Dollar Store EPTs). I started taking a pre-natal yoga class to try and help myself calm down. I also was involved with--finally--a really good therapist who didn't try to get a psychiatrist to put me on yet another medication. When I dealt with this same issue post-partum with my first husband, all I got from him was a whole lot of guilt trips and "this is your problem" speeches, which didn't help. I was referred to a psychiatrist who put me on this med called Remeron (sp.?), and as I recall, I pretty much slept for a whole weekend. It didn't help. I am very fortunate that my current husband is not being demanding or blaming and we kind of are on a "this too shall pass" road. The first several times we did try to have sex were really uncomfortable and kind of embarrassing, so that may have something to do with why I am not too positive about trying again. I know the changes in hormones can cause dryness, but I get embarrassed about using a product (which I know I shouldn't). Guess that's enough personal stuff for now, but I really wanted to thank you for getting back to me. I was interested in the thread about one woman's libido not returning until her period did. I still have not gotten mine back (no complaints there), but wonder if that would help. I am on the mini-pill. Anyway, thanks and good luck to you!<br>
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