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!
12 Responses to “Sex After Hysterectomy”
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Due to Endometriosis and Adenomyosis and the desire to not have children, my husband and I have not had sex in 8+ years. After my total hysterectomy, I feel young again with no side effects. My sex drive increased , celebrating no more painful orgasms and no need to worry about conception. Only problem is that my husband isn’t “into sex” at all anymore and I am just so upset at the rejection. I wish he could share in this “feeling good” with me but all we do is argue about it. I don’t understand why he’s not attracted now. I have tried so many things and we are getting no where. Everything else is going perfectly now, except my sex life and I am afraid it is ruining our marriage now. I was so looking forward to getting back to it. I have resorted to alot of masterbation but it is really not what I want. I am in a better mood overall and want to share it but I guess it doesn’t necessarily mean he is in a better mood. I guess he was content with no sex after 8 years of no sex and we are only 40. I want to start living life again and enjoy everything I was missing out on.
I am 31 and had a TAH because of incontrollable adenomyosis, endometriosis and fibroids. Before surgery my husband and I had great sex. It has been almost 5 months since my surgery and if he puts it in the whole way it hurts so bad I could vomit. After I have an orgasm, I have really bad cramping. It’s gotten to the point where I avoid physical contact with him because I don’t want to hurt. He’s frustrated and I’m hurt. Thoughts?
hi yea i will be 27 in september and i had to have a full hysotrectomy in august of last year cuz i had endrometriosis and me and my husband waited the full six weeks to have sex and know i do the same thing that youre doing i have been trying not to have sex but i do and it hurts LIKE IT IS MY FIRST TIME HAVEING SEX EVERY TIME, me and my husband had intercourse a day ago and i am still suffering with UNBELIABLE SHARP PAIN, IT BURNS AND STINGS SO BAD AND HAS NOT LET UP AT ALL I CANT EVEN LIFT ONE GALLON OF TEA . I AM THINKING MABYE YOU NEED TO GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR CUZ I READ SOMETHING ON ANOTHER SIGHT ABOUT THIS TYPE OF SITUATION AND IT SAID THAT HAVEING SEX AFTER A HYSTORECTOMY SURGERY SHOULD NOT BE PAINFULL AND IF IT IS YOU SHOULD FOWOLLOW UP WITH YOUR PRIMAREY CARE PHYSICAN.
Having dyspareunia or painful intercourse after a hysterectomy due to endometriosis is not uncommon. Endometriosis can infiltrate tissues all over the body, especially the vaginal cuff. If this occurs, despite having a complete hysterectomy, the vaginal cuff can become stiff due to scarring. Also, your gyn needs to examine you for pelvic/vaginal infections, granulation tissue at the vaginal cuff, suture that has not resolved causing the cuff not to heal probably, etc. These issue can be fixed rather quickly or will resolve over time on their own without any intervention. Sometimes knowing the cause will give you piece of mind. Vaginal atrophy is an issue and probably the number one cause of painful sex. With the ovaries removed, the natural estrogen a woman’s body makes disappears to minute amounts. As a result, the vaginal tissues no longer secrete a mucoid discharge to keep the vaginal walls moist and pliable. Pain results. To help with this issue, using over the counter vaginal lubricants will be helpful but vaginal estrogen supplementation is the best remedy.
I have had a Hysterectomy, but I still have my ovaries. I am concerned because whenever my husband and I have sex, it it very painful. I have had an ultrasound done and it came back normal. I need to know what I need to do to stop the pain and also why I feel like a empty box inside now when my husband and I have sex. Please help
Ask your GYN to do a diagnostic laparoscopy for pelvic adhesions. Ultrasound cannot detect scar tissue or determine whether or not your ovaries could be scarred to your vaginal cuff. Also, have your GYN to exam your vaginal cuff too. it couold be scarred, dry, or the vaginal cuff may have lost its elasticity.
I had a compleat hysterectomy ub 2004 then a biateral masectomy with recostruction due to breast cancer in 2006. My breast cancer was hormone positive.I did not have chemo or radation,but took arimidex for 5 years. I have no sex drive at all. I am happily married and we have a very active aex life, I just have no drive or climax at all. Is there any thing I can do to change this?
Female sexual dysfunction is extremely complex involving both physical and psychophysical. Issues surrounding vaginal dryness can be tricky in breast cancer patients who cancers are hormone positive. You can try over the counter vaginal moisturizers and precoital lubricants such as ky jelly and astroglide. If your vaginal dryness is not improved with these measures, then periodic usage of estrogen vaginal cream under the guidance of your oncologist is very helpful. Vaginal estrogen is released to the vaginal tissues predominately and not systemically. Still be cautious though and be aware of the potential risks. Direct clitoral application of thee estrogen cream can cause the clitorus to become rather sensitive and aid in orgams.
“Be the Diva” can help make sex more interesting and plesurable. This may take some forethought and a lot of work but it’s worth it. Plan your date nights. Change the mood in your room by adding candles, music, frangance, etc. Turn the tv off. Have intercourse in interesting places. Send your signifcant other on a scavanger hunt and let the suprise be you. Wear flattering under garments. Make yourself feel and look beautiful. Take time to care for you and not other people. Teach your significant other that you are an “oven” that needs to be heated up! It takes time for a oven to become hot, so he will need to tap into things that will get you “HOT”. Sex toys can be fun! Good luck.
After reading these responses, clearly hysterectomy has very negative effects on a woman….period…If women knew the truth about hysterectomy and how is honestly effects sex, they would decline. But doctors sugar coat the after effects and basically lie….Why does the AMA allow them to do this? Women must speak up and tell their doctor that sex is greatly compromised after hysterectomy. My doctor said other than not having a uterine orgasm, sex would be the same. That is a big lie, but she gets by with it.
Criminal…the best thing to do is stay away from your gyn. As they will somehow lure you into thinking a hysterectomy will make your life better. After all it is a multi billion dollar business…of course, buyer beware. It is amazing how with all of the negative, doctors still dont see how damaging this surgery is to women. Listening to my doc was the biggest mistake of my life. I hope I will recover someday…
Strongly disagree. Most women do not experience sexual dysfunction after a hysterectomy. Many will tell you that sex is better because they no longer experience pain, bleeding, and don’t have to worry about pregnancy. Make sure that one is having a hysterectomy for the right medical reasons before going under the knife. I think this is really the underlying issue for those who do not feel they have benefited from a hysterectomy.
I think who ever wrote the response most women do not have sexual dysfunction after a hysterectomy has never had the procedure done either that or its a male I had it done and believe me it was a mistake i wish i could take back i no longer have any desire for sex it has ruined my marriage so does anyone out there know if there is a real drug available to get the feeling back that those lousy doctors stole off of me
I am positive for the BRCA gene and I felt it is best to be proactive and have a complete hysterectomy and my ovaries removed. I am 50 years old. My surgery was at the beginning of July of 2011. I am now having symptoms of sleeplessness, mood swings and no sexual desire and having a hard time becoming arroused. I do feel broken, but my husband is supporting me and encouraging me. I have to give myself time, but I do get frustrated.
I completely trust my gyn as she has been honest and supportive to me. I also think this could be hard on a marriage, but if a marriage is strong enough and if you support each other you can work it out. Perhaps it will be time to start experimenting more and getting ideas from others.
I also think it isn’t a bad each other for us that are in the same boat to keep supporting each other.