Self-styled Love Doctor, Joro Olumofin, has provoked scientific discussions after he shared his perspective on the alleged sexual behaviour of pregnant women.
According to Mr. Olumofin, pregnant women do cheat on their husbands.
He made the contentious claim in a post on his Instagram page, quoting unnamed “studies.”
According to Olumofin, women exhibit heightened desire for sex during their menstrual cycles and also when pregnant. He then expressed concern that many husbands neglect their pregnant wives on account of the physical changes associated with pregnancy, such as weight gain, wide nose, and the growth of beards.
The relationship expert claims, “Studies have shown that women are very horny on their period and when they are pregnant.
“A lot of pregnant women are being sexually ignored by their husbands because of the physical changes that come with pregnancy such as weight gain, wide nose, growing a beard etc.
“Understanding” Pregnant wives are scarce because pregnant women are rapidly cheating on their husband.”
Scientific truth about pregnancy and libido
However, Olumofin’s wild and generalised claims are far from scientific fact about pregnancy and libido.
According to online portal Medical News Today, pregnancy can have a significant effect on a person’s sex drive. A pregnant woman may experience increase in libido or low libido. Again, arousal levels can change at different stages of pregnancy.
A pregnant woman may experience increase in libido or low libido. Again, arousal levels can change at different stages of pregnancy -study
Indeed, a 2020 study published in the online Journal of Clinical Medicine condemns studies about sexual desire during pregnancy that only focus on the pregnant woman, to the exclusion of her male partner.
The JCM study notes that pregnancy brings about a multitude of physical and psychological changes in women, and psychological changes in men.
Experts say while some women have higher levels of arousal and more intense orgasms during pregnancy, other women experience the opposite.
Okoro-Manuel explains, “Higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, as well as an increase in blood flow to the genitals, can lead to heightened sexual desire.
“On the other hand, nausea, fatigue, stress, and the many physical changes that occur as a result of pregnancy can reduce a woman’s desire to have sex.”
Contrary to Love Doctor Olumofin’s sweeping generalisation, Dr. Okoro-Manuel warns that “women will not all react in the same way to hormonal changes;” adding, “However, it is common for a woman’s sex drive to decrease during the first trimester, peak in the second, and go down again in the third.”
MNT adds that surging hormone levels, uncomfortable physical symptoms, and stress can all lower a woman’s libido in the first trimester when the body is still adjusting to the “reality” of the pregnancy.
men have higher levels of sexual desire throughout their partners’ pregnancy, as compared to women -study
“After an embryo implants in the wall of the uterus, cells in the placenta start producing a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone stimulates the production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.
“Surges in hormone levels during the first trimester can cause mood swings and nausea. Other symptoms can also affect libido at this time, including fatigue, stress, digestive issues and tender breasts.”
Physicians agree that some women may find that the changing levels of estrogen and progesterone can increase their libido during the first trimester.
Second trimester sex drive
In general, most women’s libidos spike during the second trimester, experts say. According to the explanation, the levels of hCG peak around the 6th week of pregnancy. And after week 6, “levels of hCG start decreasing, which typically means less nausea and higher levels of energy.”
Additionally, estrogen and progesterone levels continue rising to support the growing fetus during the second trimester. “Estrogen increases both vaginal lubrication and blood flow to the vulva. These changes can lead to heightened arousal, sensitivity, and pleasure,” the experts say.
Third trimester and sex drive
Women often face some of their biggest challenges during the third trimester, it is learnt, what with the swelling, rapid weight gain, exhaustion, and body aches, all of which can make sexual activity more difficult.
only a hypocritical female cheat would use pregnancy as an excuse to cheat with another man -pregnant woman
“Discomfort or pain during sexual activity may cause some concern, but it is common,” Okoro-Manuel says; urging couples to consider trying different positions, which might resolve the issue.
Pregnancy, sex and men
As far as scientific research goes, men have higher levels of sexual desire throughout their partners’ pregnancy, as compared to women, contrary to Love Doctor Olumofin’s postulation.
A scientific study notes that women in the third trimester of their pregnancy set aside their sexual appetite and that of their partners to focus on the well-being of their newborn baby; while difficult pregnancies almost always lead to greater decreases in sexual life.
Sex in pregnancy
Family Physician, Dr. Sharon Ojomo, says there is no need to worry about harming the foetus during vaginal sex simply because the cervix, uterus, and amniotic fluid all protect the foetus.
Ojomo warns, however, that pregnant women and their partners should still exercise caution during sex.
She says some women may find deep penetration uncomfortable or even painful as their pregnancy progresses.
She adds that sore or tender breasts may make partner-on-top positions uncomfortable for some women; advising that “Positions that involve both partners lying on their sides are good alternatives in this situation.”
She assures that most sex positions are safe for as long as the couple feel comfortable.
my wife went into labour after lovemaking when she was pregnant with our first child. But, she had a safe delivery and there was nothing untoward as a result of the early morning sex that day -husband
Male partners of pregnant women speak
Men in heterosexual relationships whose partners/wives are either currently pregnant or had experienced pregnancies and childbirths said they did not see any reason why they would not have sex with their partners/wives during pregnancy unless if the doctor advised otherwise.
Said a man who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, “We’ve had three deliveries in my family and, throughout each pregnancy, I had sex with my wife.
“In fact, my wife went into labour after lovemaking when she was pregnant with our first child and I became afraid. But, she had a safe delivery and there was nothing untoward as a result of the early morning sex that day.”
He argued that only an irresponsible and hypocritical man would refuse sex with a willing pregnant wife or partner on account of whatever changes might be going on in her body.
“Unless a pregnant woman says ‘No’, there is no reason not to have sex,” the source said.
Pregnant woman responds
A pregnant woman, Esther Iyamu-Benson, laughs off Joro Olumofin’s claim. According to the heavily pregnant woman, only a male can speak the way Love Doctor has spoken.
“While I can’t speak for every pregnant woman, I’ll say that only a woman who is prone to cheating will cheat, and no one should blame pregnancy for that.
She adds that the symptoms that Olumofin described only begin to manifest in the second trimester and that by then, sincere partners who do not have issues with their relationship would be drawn closer the more, with the closeness most probably fostering sexual encounter as much as they desire.
“Only an irresponsible man would stop having sex with a healthy pregnant partner when the woman does not object. And only a hypocritical female cheat would use pregnancy as an excuse to cheat with another man,” Esther says.
You can only expect a menstruating female to be horny if you’ve never menstruated before -respondent
Sex during menstruation
Olumofin also claims that women are horny during their monthly flow. To that, all our female respondents say only a male could make such a wild claim.
Some of the ladies who spoke to us said that even if they don’t believe in the religious edict that forbids sex during period, the abdominal pain, the tenderness of the breasts and the general inconveniences that attend menstruation are more than enough to kill sexual desire.
“You can only expect a menstruating female to be horny if you’ve never menstruated before,” a respondent, Janet, submits with a hiss.
Conclusion
So, contrary to Mr. Olumofin’s claim, if anyone would seek extra sex outside of a relationship involving a male and his pregnant partner, it is most probably the male, rather the pregnant woman whose condition is governed by the varying levels of hormones.
