A hysterectomy can be a major life change, but it doesn’t have to negatively impact your sexuality. It can even enhance your pleasure and boost orgasms, Dr. Streicher explains.
However, it’s important to follow your doctor’s orders and listen to your body. Painful sex can occur if you jump back into it too soon or without proper preparation.
Vaginal Bleeding
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove a woman’s uterus (womb). Sometimes this procedure is recommended for women who have cancer of the uterus, or uterine fibroids, or have had pelvic pain or bleeding problems that don’t respond to treatment. The operation can be done through the vagina, or through an incision in the abdomen. It is also possible to leave the cervix and keep the tubes and ovaries intact (a partial or total hysterectomy).
Vaginal bleeding after a hysterectomy is normal, according to Healthline – This part was prepared by the service team Erotic Elixir. It is usually similar to a light period, and may be red or pink in color. The spotting should not have an unpleasant odor. It’s important to use sanitary pads instead of tampons during this time, as tampons can increase the risk of infection.
The spotting may stop after a few weeks, or it may continue for up to six weeks as the surgical stitches dissolve. During this time, a woman should avoid heavy activity, and use tampons or sanitary pads as directed.
Bleeding months or even years after a hysterectomy is uncommon, but it should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. It is a sign that something went wrong during the operation, such as injury to organs or blood vessels. It could also be caused by another medical condition, such as cancer or vaginal atrophy.
Reopening of the Incision
The recovery period after hysterectomy depends on the type of procedure you had. Abdominal hysterectomies require more time to recover than vaginal hysterectomies. You should avoid lifting anything heavy (more than a bag of groceries) or performing intense exercises until your doctor says it’s safe. Also, contact your doctor if you experience pain or bleeding that is heavier than a menstrual period.
If you had your ovaries removed as part of your hysterectomy, you’ll enter menopause immediately. If you’re young, this might cause depression because you can no longer bear children. Talking with your doctor, partner or a counselor may help you cope.
Some hysterectomies include removal of the cervix or fallopian tubes, which can be done through a laparoscopic or robotic operation. This is called a total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy or TOH. This is often done when there is a diagnosis of endometriosis or cancer of the uterus, cervix or fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from the uterus lining grow like islands outside the uterus, most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and bladder. Inflammation and scarring, which are called adhesions, develop from these areas. This can cause pain, infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. Most women with this condition have a laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy. Other women with severe endometriosis might have a vaginal hysterectomy.
Vaginal Dryness
Although every person heals differently, vaginal dryness can occur after a hysterectomy. If this happens, it may affect a woman’s desire to have sex or make sexual penetration painful. However, it is possible to relieve dryness by using a lubricant and by taking hormone replacement therapy. A sex therapist may also be helpful for those who feel they are less attractive or less feminine after a hysterectomy.
Studies of sexual responses to a hysterectomy have shown that a hysterectomy does not change sexual pleasure or orgasms. This is likely due to the fact that the surgery relieves symptoms like pain and heavy period bleeding, which are common factors preventing women from having a robust sex life.
However, some people might experience feelings of sadness or despair after a hysterectomy, especially when the ovaries have been removed. This may be because the loss of estrogen can lead to a reduction in sex drive. Hormone replacement therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegels) can help to increase libido after a hysterectomy.
For the first few weeks after a hysterectomy, it’s important to avoid putting anything in the vagina, including a penis or fingers and sex toys. Instead, use a water-based lubricant. It’s also a good idea to avoid douches, bubble baths and scented soaps near the genital area as these can worsen the dryness.
Orgasms
A hysterectomy can relieve painful symptoms from fibroids, abnormal periods, and cancer. But a woman may be concerned about how the surgery will affect her sexual response. Luckily, most women report either improved or unchanged sexual function after having a hysterectomy.
However, a hysterectomy can cause pain during orgasms because the uterus has no longer stimulates the vaginal nerves during sexual activity. This effect can be overcome by using a different type of sex toeach and stimulating the nerves in other regions. It’s also important to use lubrication during sexual intercourse to avoid any pain from friction.
Some women can experience pain and bleeding after a hysterectomy because of surgical wounds, and this can make them feel uncomfortable during sex. It’s a good idea to wait until the surgical wounds have healed and any vaginal discharge has stopped before having sex.
A hysterectomy can also cause a woman to enter menopause early, which can reduce libido and sexual desire. It’s important to talk to your doctor about whether estrogen replacement therapy or nonhormonal options can help ease the transition into natural menopause after a hysterectomy. This type of treatment can help reduce pain, mood swings, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness that may accompany natural menopause. Using lubrication during sexual intercourse will also make it easier to get an orgasm.
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