Sex After Hysterectomy

There are some women that can have healthy and pleasurable sex after hysterectomy, while there are others that may not find a way back to re-lighting the fires of passion. The women who experience the latter often find themselves suffering through fading relationships and suffocating marriages all because of one little surgical procedure.

However, this need not be the case for any woman at all. Hysterectomy is not the end-all of a woman’s sex life, especially when you take the following factors into perspective:

The Physical Aspect

The first and most obvious impact of hysterectomy is the disruption of hormones if a woman has her ovaries removed during the time of surgery. These hormonal factors affect sex after hysterectomy by disrupting both the desire for sex and the act of sex itself, and can prove to be a frustrating and painful experience. This is especially true for women that have sex within the first few months of recovery as well as for women who choose to forego taking hormone pills or using hormonal cream.

The Emotional Aspect

The sexual experience of a woman is highly related to her psyche and emotions. A lack of confidence in herself, a painful post-operative sexual experience, depression about not being able to conceive children or a general feeling of inadequacy or being incomplete can affect sex after hysterectomy. Such conditions can not only blunt the desire for sex, but can actually make sexual intercourse boring and unsatisfying as well.

The Solutions

The physical aspects of hysterectomy are easily overcome by the right medical and physical treatment, especially when you seek the aid of the doctor that recommended the surgery. Hormone Replacement whether in oral, topical or injectable forms will help to improve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and some depressive symptoms. It is the emotional aspects of the operation that can ruin the experience altogether.

The first and probably the most effective solution is to regain the lost intimacy between a woman and her partner. The belief that sexual pleasure derives from cervical stimulation is false. The truth is that it comes from clitoral stimulation. Additionally, the secret to enjoyable and healthy sex after hysterectomy lies in the relationship between a woman and her partner. The partner must be highly supportive in the months of recovery, and should not place undue pressure to have sex if there is disinterest. The partner must also be there for support when it is most needed. The partner must find the self-confidence and intimacy to dispose of worries and obsessions about orgasms. Just ‘let go’ and enjoy the intimacy of the experience, and you’ll rekindle the fires of passion.

There is just one small thing about having sex after hysterectomy that a woman and her partner should understand. Deep penetration may irritate the vaginal tissue so take things nice and slow the first few times. Vaginal irritation and dryness can be relieved with over-the-counter vaginal lubricants and/or vaginal estrogen prescribed by a woman’s doctor. Experiment with penetration depth, penetration angles and even sexual aids to help ease into the sexual experience without too much pain. After all, even the most intimate of couples won’t enjoy sex if every thrust is accompanied by a flash of pain where pleasure should be!