Most doctors recommend waiting six weeks before having penetrative sex after a hysterectomy. Before then, you can try gentle non-penetrative sex and oral sex.
Hysterectomy is a common procedure that can help treat medical conditions like painful fibroids or cancer. While many women fear it will affect their sex life, most go on to have healthy and happy sexual lives.
1. You’re not ready
If you’re a woman who has recently had a hysterectomy, you may be wondering when it will feel like normal again to have sex. The good news is that sex can still be pleasurable after having a hysterectomy. All it takes is a little patience, understanding, and preparation.
Many women who have a hysterectomy experience pain or discomfort in the weeks following their surgery, as they adjust to life without a uterus. Some women experience a loss of sexual desire or intimacy after the procedure, which can make them feel embarrassed about their situation and may cause feelings of depression or anxiety.
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus (womb) and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It can be used to treat conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine cancer. Hysterectomy is often performed in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Doctors recommend waiting six weeks before having penetrative sex after a hysterectomy. However, everyone heals at a different pace, so this timeline could vary. While you wait, use personal lubricants to help with any pain or dryness you might be experiencing. Also, practice Kegel muscle drills to strengthen your pelvic floor and enhance your sexual experiences. With patience, sex can be enjoyable for both you and your partner even after a hysterectomy.
2. You’re not following your doctor’s orders
If you try to have sex too soon, you may end up with pain and bleeding. Infection is also possible, so it’s important to wait until your scars heal and your vaginal discharge has stopped. This usually takes around six weeks after surgery. However, before this time, you can have gentle non-penetrative sex, like oral sex, as long as you take care not to put too much pressure on the wound.
Your doctor may recommend that you use condoms if you are using a penetrative technique. This will help prevent leaking, and it can also be a good idea if you have a history of uterine abnormalities or cancer. It’s also important to talk to your partner about how the hysterectomy might impact your sexual experiences. You and your partner may need to adjust the way you have sex, including what positions you use and how you position yourself.
Many women feel a loss of sexual desire after a hysterectomy. This can be due to a variety of reasons, from the emotional turmoil that comes with losing the ability to bear children to the physical effects of the surgery. If you are struggling with a lack of libido, consider talking to your doctor or seeking professional counseling. It’s also important to remember that your hysterectomy does not change who you are as a woman.
3. You’re not listening to your body
When it comes to penetrative sex after hysterectomy, doctors recommend waiting until all surgery-related vaginal discharge has stopped and any wounds have healed, which usually takes about six weeks. That being said, you can have oral sex or other sexual activities before then that do not put pressure on the surgical area of your vulva.
A hysterectomy can lead to painful intercourse, especially if it’s a radical hysterectomy that removes your ovaries along with the uterus. This can dampen your libido, since your ovaries produce estrogen and testosterone, hormones that are integral to a woman’s sex drive. Some women also report less intense orgasms after their hysterectomy, as the procedure shortens their genital tissue and may cut nerves that enable climax.
Some women also struggle with a loss of femininity and attractiveness after a hysterectomy. This can reduce their sex drive and enjoyment of intimacy, as well as lead to depression, which is also known to decrease libido.
However, most women who have had a hysterectomy say that their sex life has either stayed the same or improved after the procedure, and many are grateful to be free from bleeding problems, pain during sex, and other issues related to their uterus. The best way to keep your sex drive healthy after a hysterectomy is to make sure you’re eating well, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and practicing stress reduction techniques like meditation or yoga.
4. You’re not taking care of yourself
When you’re tempted to hop back in the sack too soon, remind yourself that your health and well-being are more important than your partner’s feelings or desire for sex. Take time to heal and listen to your body. If it hurts, stop or change positions. Also, consider learning more about hysterectomies to better understand what’s normal, and make sure you avoid any positions that rub on your incision areas.
In general, doctors advise waiting about six weeks before having penetrative sex after a hysterectomy. This will give your incisions time to heal, and may help reduce your chances of infection. If you’re feeling sexually stimulated before this timeframe, try using lubrication to help ease any pain or dryness.
Many women worry that a hysterectomy will affect their sexual drive, but medical experts say it’s usually business as usual. In fact, it can be even more pleasurable.
However, it’s not uncommon for women to experience low libido after a hysterectomy, especially if the procedure included removing the ovaries. This causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels, which triggers surgical menopause. The good news is that the drop in estrogen typically corrects itself with hormone replacement therapy. If you’re experiencing a lackluster libido, talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy. Korin Miller is a freelance writer who covers wellness trends and issues that impact women, including sexual health and relationships. Her work has appeared in Self, Glamour and Women’s Health.
See Also:
