A hysterectomy can raise a lot of questions, and how will this affect my sex life is probably near the top of the list. We’re here to answer that for you.
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Facing the possibility of a hysterectomy is a scary proposition for women.
But in some cases, it’s absolutely necessary and can be a life-saving procedure.
Doctors typically recommend them for things like:
Many women have questions about the procedure and what their sex lives will be like after a hysterectomy:
Below, we’ll look at precisely what you can expect after having a hysterectomy.
While all hysterectomies are different, the typical time before you can have sex again is 4-6 weeks.
Most women report having a more enjoyable and satisfying sex life after a hysterectomy.
No, under normal circumstances having a hysterectomy should not affect your ability to achieve orgasm through G-spot stimulation.
No, sex should not be painful after a hysterectomy, provided you wait the appropriate amount of time to heal fully.
Most physicians recommend waiting until all vaginal discharge has stopped and scars have healed before considering sex after a hysterectomy.
The general timeline for most women to recover and be ready for sex is around four to six weeks.
However, all women have their own experiences.
Depending on the procedure, it may take longer than six weeks to be comfortable trying sex again, and that is perfectly OK.
Wait until you are comfortable and ready for sex instead of trying to stick to a certain timeline.
If vaginal dryness and lacking arousal are getting in the way, please contact your doctor as treatment options are available including effective and safe local vaginal hormones.
For extra fun, you can consider adding moisturizers and lubricants. It may be worth trying something like
female arousal gel, sex toys, or even new positions to get back into the routine of sex.
Your sex life after a hysterectomy is likely to be a bit different, but that does not mean your sex life will be over.
Hormonal changes after a hysterectomy are normal. However, different types of hysterectomies can lead to different outcomes.
A total hysterectomy or a total hysterectomy with oophorectomy is most likely to have drastic effects on hormone levels.
And the drastic effect on hormone levels may mean changes in your sexual health.
Primarily, women experience symptoms like lacking libido and vaginal dryness associated with a drop in estrogen and testosterone.
However, sex should not be painful or uncomfortable with ample time to heal after the procedure and working with your doctor on safe and effective treatments.
There is no one clearly defined anatomical spot that is known medically as the g-spot.
Some have suggested we change the name to a G-Zone.
In small studies that exist, researchers have been unable to locate a clear "spongy" or apparent spot inside the vagina.
Some researchers explain that the G-Zone is actually just a part of the clitoral network.
In this case, in theory, the g-zone may not be affected with a hysterectomy because only the primary reproductive organs are removed, but nerve damage may explain changes in your sexual experience.
Large data studies indicate that the hysterectomy may improve sexual function.
However, that doesn’t change someone's individual experience with this surgery.
Depending on how you enjoy sexual pleasure, then hysterectomy could potentially impact this.
That’s why sharing what’s important to you with your doctor before surgery is essential.
If you are dealing with vaginal dryness, there are safe and effective local hormonal therapies that your doctor can prescribe, and extra fun can be had with a targeting lubricant during sexual activity.
Pro Tip: Nitric oxide booster like VitaFLUX from Promescent can help increase the natural lubrication of the vagina.
In fact, one review of a collection of studies found that most women stated their sex life improved or stayed the same after a hysterectomy.
For women who have previously dealt with issues like painful sex or heavy bleeding, the procedure can actually make sex more enjoyable.
Unless a radical hysterectomy is performed and the upper part of the vagina is removed, sex will be pretty much the same.
If you orgasm from clitoral stimulation, it is very likely that you will still orgasm after having a hysterectomy.
The nerves woven throughout the vagina associated with orgasm should remain intact.
However, it should be noted that some women have experienced anorgasmia (inability to orgasm or less intense orgasms) after having a hysterectomy.
Anorgasmia after hysterectomy can be due to a few factors, such as nerve disruptions when the uterus is removed or even changes in hormone levels.
In the event that a total hysterectomy is performed and the cervix is removed, this can affect the intensity of orgasms since the cervical nerves are stimulated during sex.
Painful sex after a hysterectomy should not be a concern as long as the proper time for healing is allowed and vaginal dryness is not an issue.
It is common to have some slight discomfort as you ease back into sex.
This discomfort should pass with time. And, the pain should never be so severe that you can't enjoy sex or have a fulfilling sex life.
This can be an indication that something is wrong and should be discussed with a physician.
There are local vaginal hormone therapies that can aid in tissue healing as well as pelvic floor physical therapist who can help with rehabilitation after surgery.
Women usually experience bleeding for six weeks or longer after a hysterectomy.
The bleeding after surgery tends to start out heavy and then get lighter as the days go by.
However, there can be variances depending on the type of hysterectomy performed.
Mild bleeding after sex may not be anything to be concerned about as long as you have waited long enough to heal.
The bleeding can be a result of general tissue changes after the surgery. However, any time excessive bleeding persists after sex, it is important to speak to your doctor.
Depending on the type of hysterectomy performed, recovery times can vary.
Abdominal hysterectomy surgery, meaning the reproductive organs are removed through the abdomen, tends to have longer recovery times.
This type of hysterectomy can take six weeks or more to recover fully.
Conversely, Laparoscopic surgery, in which the organs are removed through the vagina using robotic instruments, tends to have much shorter recovery times, typically three to four weeks.
It is possible to have no sex drive after hysterectomy if the ovaries are removed.
For the most part, however, women who have only their uterus or cervix removed don't have such detrimental effects on their sex drive.
A lot of factors can be involved with libido beyond the actual removal of the organs, such as the nerves affected during surgery and the age of the patient.
In any case, there are options to enhance sex drive after hysterectomy.
Some options are specifically available through a doctor, while others can be tried on your own and may prove effective.
Certain prescription medications may help with sex drive after hysterectomy. Below is a look at two options that can be discussed with your doctor.
Some women may be good candidates for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called menopause hormone therapy (MHT), after a hysterectomy, and this may help with libido.
HRT rebalances the estrogen and testosterone levels in the body.
There are several types of HRT, including intravaginal hormone gels, that are effective for helping with vaginal dryness and libido.
There are different types of hormones to take after menopause or removal of the ovaries, and each has a different list of risks and benefits.
Not all hormone therapies are the same, and many are quite safe for most women to take.
Consider working with a menopause-trained specialist in your area.
Female libido enhancers like Addyi (flibanserin) are a relatively new form of prescription medication specifically aimed at enhancing female sex drive.
This medication is typically يوصى به for women who have undergone a partial hysterectomy due to the risks of severe side effects.
Further, Addyi is considered off-label for women after menopause and may not be covered by your insurance.
It has been studied and works quite well in this patient population and is approved for use in menopausal women in Canada.
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Supplements are available over the counter to enhance female sex drive, and some can be quite effective.
Most supplements are designed to deliver a carefully selected group of nutrients or herbs that are associated with female sexual function.
For example, VitaFLUX for women is made with L-arginine, L-citrulline, zinc, magnesium, and other ingredients.
The combination MAY boost nitric oxide levels to encourage blood flow to the vagina, which can help with sex drive.
Certain foods may enhance female sex drive after a hysterectomy, including:
Some women have reported that certain foods have helped increase their sex drive, but no formal studies are available to support these claims.
However, here are the foods that women have reported having success with:
While a hysterectomy can be an alarming surgery to face as a woman, having a hysterectomy may not mean sex will completely change or stop.
The type of hysterectomy performed influences the precise outcomes regarding libido and sexual function.
And whether the ovaries are removed will have a significant bearing on whether sex drive and sexual function will be affected.
Also, waiting for the appropriate time to heal after a hysterectomy is especially important.
But, once you are healed and feel ready, easing back into sex is fine.
Sex can be enjoyable after a hysterectomy, even though some women may need a little added support.
If you are having trouble after your hysterectomy, please consider seeing a doctor who specializes in sexual medicine.
Our team has over a decade of experience in the sexual wellness field and are experts in sexual dysfunctions, like premature ejaculation. We help couples and individuals better understand treatment options available for different types of sexual needs and educate the public on all things related to intimacy. All of our authored content is medically reviewed for accuracy and reliability.
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
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