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Hysterectomy is the surgery for partial or complete removal of the uterus. As the uterus is removed in this procedure, the female can no longer have children following a hysterectomy.
Having a hysterectomy can relieve pain and other symptoms caused due to conditions like uterine fibroids or endometriosis. And if the female has uterine or cervical cancer, hysterectomy can be life-saving.
Any surgery can have short-term and long-term side effects. A hysterectomy can have side effects like pain and bleeding. This surgery can also impact the female’s sex life. But this problem generally resolves as the body heals from the surgery.
After the female has recovered from the surgery, the quality of her sex life, and when she can start having sex again will depend on several factors.
Also Read- What can you expect after a vaginal hysterectomy?
Table of Contents
1. The type of hysterectomy the female had
Not all hysterectomies have the same effect on the female. Each procedure can affect the female’s sex life differently.
If the ovaries are removed with the uterus, the female is likely to enter menopause, which can trigger a sudden shift in the hormone levels. A sudden drop in estrogen can lead to menopause symptoms including hot flashes and trouble sleeping. The female may also experience vaginal dryness, which can make sex painful and uncomfortable.
Removal of the ovaries can also lead to a drop in the testosterone levels, the hormone linked to a female’s sexual desire.
Also Read- How and why is Sex affected post Menopause?
For many females, low sex drive after hysterectomy is due to a drop in estrogen and testosterone levels are temporary. The doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy to help relieve some of these symptoms. Using a lubricant during sex can reduce pain caused due to vaginal dryness.
2. The female’s emotional state and mindset also plays a vital role
Females who have a hysterectomy no longer have periods. They also cannot have a baby after hysterectomy as the uterus is removed. These changes can give rise to feelings of depression or low sexual desire.
This is not always the case. In most cases, hysterectomy is performed in the case of females who no longer want to have kids or have completed their families.
It is important to consider how a hysterectomy might make the female feel. Discuss such concerns with the doctor and your partner.
3. Removal of the uterus can change how sex feels.
A hysterectomy can change how the female experience sex. For some females, pressure against the cervix and contractions of the uterus provides enhanced sexual pleasure. Removing the uterus and cervix might have an impact and make sex less enjoyable.
On the other hand, many females like sex more after having a hysterectomy. Research shows that there is a dramatic improvement in sexual pleasure after hysterectomy. Females who have a hysterectomy may have:
- Increased sex drive
- More regular sex
- Better and more frequent orgasms
Hysterectomy is often done to treat uncomfortable problems, like heavy bleeding, fibroids, or pain. Once these problems are treated with hysterectomy, sex may become much more pleasuring and gratifying.
When can you start having sex after Hysterectomy?
A female should wait at least 6 weeks before resuming sex after a hysterectomy. It is recommended to not insert anything in the vagina for the first 6 weeks after the surgery.
The female might experience light bleeding and vaginal discharge after the surgery but would no longer have regular periods.
After the surgery, pain, burning sensation, and itching around the site of the incision are normal. If the ovaries are also removed, the female is likely to have menopause-like symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, and night sweats.
Most of the normal surgical side effects from hysterectomy go away on its own and the female’s body should heal completely within 2 months. Speak to your doctor when you can start having sex after the surgery.
Also Read- Hysterectomy Recovery Diet
Will hysterectomy change how sex feels?
A hysterectomy surgery will put the female’s sex life on hold for a few weeks. But, after healing and complete recovery, sex life can return back to normal. Most females state that their sex lives stay the same or improve after the procedure.
A female can experience low sex desire in case her ovaries are also removed in the surgery. This can have an impact on sex life. Consult your doctor in such cases as they can suggest hormonal therapy or other treatment options for this problem.
Can a female still have an orgasm after hysterectomy?
Some females report that they have less intense orgasms after surgery. This can happen as removing the uterus can cut the nerves that enable you to have an orgasm.
The cervix also contains some nerves which are stimulated during sex. If the female’s cervix is also removed during the procedure, the doctor may have cut these nerves. However, this happens in very rare cases.
Will sex feel the same after hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy does not affect sensation in the vagina. However, removing the ovaries will put the female into menopause, which can cause vaginal dryness make sex more painful. Using lubricants during sex or medical treatment like hormonal therapy can help relieve the pain and make sex pleasurable.
Also Read: Tips for Quick Hysterectomy Recovery
