Male Sexual Behavior during Wife's Pregnancy - Essay Example

Section/# Inter and Pregnancy: An Analysis of Key Psychological Issues Facing the Issue One of the more complicated aspects of human sexuality is the extent and manner to which sexual intercourse develops during and immediately after pregnancy. The reason that such a topic is of such interest is partly due to the fact that pregnancy itself is a highly complicated biological and psychological change that both partners must experience to different degrees. As such, it is often one of the single most defining periods in the couple’s relationship. Moreover, due to the fact that the hormones of the female partner are in such a state of flux, the biological factors attributing themselves to the way I which the partners engage in and view the sexual experience has the possibility to be greatly altered from what they would otherwise. Moreover, as fundamental changes to the physique of the female are an inherent part of the process of pregnancy, the level and extent to which desire is reflected by the male partner in the relationship can also have a profound effect on the psychological health and well-being of the female partner by virtue of self confidence and a host of other ego-related psychological functions. However, a full and complete analysis of the subject matter necessarily requires that the researcher discuss and analyze the issue from the male’s perspective as well. Due to the fact that proper intercourse necessarily emotionally involves both partners, such an approach would be remiss if it did not discuss the issue from the male’s perspective. As such, this brief analysis will consider the litany of means by which psychologists and researchers have attempted to define, categorize, and understand sexuality as a function of ongoing pregnancy and the psychological health of the individuals involved. It should be stated straight away that this analysis will likely blur the lines between biology and psychology as the two are so imperceptibly close with regards to the differing levels of meaning associated with human intimacy and sexuality both within the constructs of pregnancy as well as outside of it. Furthermore, due to the fact that the symbiotic relationship of intimacy dictates that closeness and psychological responses are not constrained to merely one partner, the range and scope of the analysis will also blur the lines of considering intimacy during pregnancy from both the male and female perspective; as performing an analysis from merely one perspective would be missing out on a much larger the much larger and nuanced interpretation of what actually exists (Kontoyannis et al 2012). From the male’s perspective, noting the importance of intercourse during pregnancy, a number of studies have pointed out the fact that it allows a key level of psychological acceptance with regards to pregnancy that may otherwise by repressed and/or regretted. Moreover, by supplying the means for the couple to stay intimate during the weeks and months of early, middle, and even late pregnancy, the psychological health of both partners as well as the emotional outlook for the birth of the new child is greatly enhanced. Naturally, one cannot speak candidly concerning the overall benefits of engaging in intercourse during pregnancy without at least touching upon the topic of Similarly, male sexual behavior during pregnancy is a key indicator that many different studies have noted with regards to the level and extent to which post-partum depression might ensue. Although there are a host of actors that contribute to the emergence of post-partum depression, one of the factors tha researchers have demonstrably noted is that couples with low or non-existent sex drives during the months of pregnancy were over 4 times more likely to experience worse than average/longer bouts of post partum depression than those who experienced a healthy sex life during the period of pregnancy. Naturally, the male’s attitude to sex during pregnancy is therefore a key determinant in whether the overall outlook for the relationship remains positive (Isajeva et al 2012). Likewise, numerous studies have been conducted with the express intent of analyzing the means by which relationship satisfaction is exhibited in the male during pregnancy as a function of the level of intercourse that is being had at any given point in time. Although such a type of analysis may seem as rather tongue in cheek to the reader and/or researcher, the research has concluded that the satisfaction of the male with regards to the level of intimacy experienced during pregnancy has a direct correlation to the psychological outlook that the female in the relationship experiences as well. Such a symbiotic relationship strikes at the very core of what is so uniquely psychological concerning intimacy and the health of the couple during pregnancy and beyond. One would of course be remiss to discuss the topic of pregnancy, human sexuality and the male approach to such without referencing the fact that human sexual need from the male’s perspective during pregnancy has often led to increased rates of adultery and/or cheating. From a psychological perspective there are a great number of reasons why this would take place; however, rather than delving into the inner workings of male sexuality and attempting to extrapolate the reasons behind ultimate infidelity, a more scientific approach that this student has chosen to approach the issue to seek to measure the level that sexual activity with one’s partner during pregnancy actually reduces the chance of infidelity taking place. As one might logically expect, from a review of the literature and pertinent studies on the topic, the answer is one that one might expect. A recent study noted that couples who actively engage in sexual relations during the pregnancy period were far less likely to suffer from infidelity than those that suspended sexual relations entirely, or within a given trimester (De Judicibus 2002). It should of course be noted that for the purposes of health and safety, as well as seeking to follow the advice of any and all physicians, it is not physically or emotionally possible for each and every couple to seek to maintain sexual relations during the months of pregnancy; however, as the research has indicated, as long as pressing physical or psychological needs are not pressing which would bar a couple from doing so, such intercourse is in the best interests of the health and strength of the marriage as well as seeking to reduce the rate in which the male spouse will seek a sexual partner and/or partners elsewhere. Another issue that strongly relates to male sexual behavior during pregnancy is the degree and extent to which the male in the relationship has accepted and/or is at peace with/happy concerning the pregnancy itself. Such an obvious factor should not be overlooked as it has a profound effect on the level and extent to which sexual intimacy will be involved during the months of pregnancy as well as the psychological approach that is initiated to intimacy within the confines of pregnancy. Moreover, the element of relationship satisfaction also plays a profound role in determining the level and extent of sexual intimacy during pregnancy. Finally, one of the most misunderstood aspects of human sexuality during pregnancy is the degree and extent to which hormonal changes, mood swings, and/or depression on the part of the pregnant female impact upon the way in which the male views sex within such a constraint. Moreover, the fact of the matter is that psychology and biology begin to blur the lines between one another as the biological process that governs pregnancy by means of hormonal production has a powerful and discernible affect on the way that both partners engage with one another, discuss, and engage in sexual relations. Such “swings in behavior” as they are oftentimes referred to are a natural product of the pregnancy process; however, for those partners that are less self assured and unfamiliar with the psychological, physiological, and biological changes that take place within the woman during pregnancy, these can become a major stumbling block and only exacerbate confusion and frustration with regards to maintaining a healthy sex life within the relationship (Hutchinson et al 2002). As with any form of sexual relations, the level and extent to which the male, and female for that matter, must be respectful of the needs and fears of one another with respect to engaging in the physical process of intercourse must be perennially considered. Many couples therefore make the mistake of engaging in intercourse in much the same way that they may have done so during non-pregnancy; however, the unique needs of both partners as a result of the pregnancy demand that careful and thoughtful consideration must be paid. With respect to the unique biological/psychological and physiological benefits that intercourse can bring for both parties involved, it is not the purpose of this brief analysis to expend a great deal of analysis on this; however, it should be noted that in addition to the endorphins released during sexual intercourse, male semen contains a chemical compound known as GABA (also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid). This compound serves as relaxant to the central nervous system; i.e. a type of natural anti-anxiety medication. Of course, the presence of such chemical compounds in the male ejaculate is but one way that the psychological relationship between both partners can be strengthened as a function of engaging in sexual intercourse during pregnancy. As a means of understanding how this works to strengthen the relationship and lesson the anxiety and hardships associated with pregnancy, one need only consider the recent studies which have indicated the strong correlation between sexual activity during pregnancy and the reduced level of depression, anxiety related issues, and further health complications that likely have a powerful correlation to intercourse during pregnancy. Although the role of intercourse can of course be over-emphasized, the level of psychological and biological evidence that supports the This analysis has briefly engaged the reader with several different factors which prove to the reader that the importance of intercourse during pregnancy for both partners is a high psychological concern for both the outlook of the immediate relationship as well as the psychological and sexual health of the couple in general. Moreover, the issues that have been discussed herein necessarily blur the lines between human sexuality, psychology, biology, and physiology due to the fact that the four of these are so inexorably interlinked. Furthermore, the delicate line between these factors has been illustrated in the differing means by which the male approaches sexual needs during the course of pregnancy as well as the unique psychological constructs that many of these approaches and needs are indicative of. References De Judicibus, M. A., & McCabe, M. P. (2002). Psychological Factors and the Sexuality of Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Journal Of Sex Research, 39(2), 94. Hutchinson, S., Marsiglio, W., & Cohan, M. (2002). Interviewing young men about sex and procreation: methodological issues. Qualitative Health Research, 12(1), 42-60. Isajeva, J., Šilkūnas, M., Drasutiene, G., & Bartkevičiene, D. (2012). Features of the sexual life during pregnancy. Acta Medica Lituanica, 19(2), 67-74. Kontoyannis, M., Katsetos, C., & Panagopoulos, P. (2012). Sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Health Science Journal, 6(1), 82-87. Lawoyin TO; Larsen, U. (2002). Male sexual behaviour during wifes pregnancy and postpartum abstinence period in Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal Of Biosocial Science, 34(1), 51-63. Read More