After a hysterectomy, some women may experience pain during sexual intercourse. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as vaginal dryness or nerve damage.
Fortunately, a hysterectomy doesn’t always affect sensation in the vagina or a woman’s ability to have orgasms. However, it is important to take things slow and listen to your body.
Causes
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus (womb). This can be done as a laparoscopic procedure or through an incision in the abdomen. Typically, the cervix and Fallopian tubes are removed as well. Hysterectomies are used to treat conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and uterine cancer. They can also help prevent future pregnancy. The surgery will impact a woman’s sex life in the short term, as it means she won’t have periods or be able to get pregnant.
Having a hysterectomy can also change the type of orgasms a woman has, especially if her ovaries are removed. This is because the ovaries produce the hormones that contribute to libido. In some cases, women have less intense orgasms following a hysterectomy, or even no orgasms at all.
Pelvic pain after sex is common in the weeks following a hysterectomy. This is because the surgery can disrupt blood flow to the pelvic area, leading to inflammation and irritation. Sexual intercourse can increase this pain, as the act of penetration can cause a strain on unhealed muscles and tissues.
Using lubrication and taking it slow can help to reduce the pelvic pain caused by sex after a hysterectomy. It can also be helpful to try different positions. Some women have found that pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can decrease this pain as well.
Treatments
Generally, it is best to wait until the scars have healed, and vaginal discharge has stopped, before resuming penetrative sexual activity. This usually takes at least six weeks. However, the timeframe varies from woman to woman depending on the surgical procedure and rate of recovery. Recommencing sex too soon can lead to complications and aggravate pain. Women should always follow the guidance of their surgeon when it comes to resuming intimate sexual activity after a hysterectomy.
Pelvic pain is often caused by nerves in the lower abdomen and pelvic region, which are stimulated during sex. It is also possible that the surgery itself may cause restrictions in blood flow to these nerves, leading to painful intercourse. In some cases, this may be due to a specific type of hysterectomy, such as a laparoscopic hysterectomy or robotic hysterectomy, where scar tissue can form and restrict the flow of blood.
It is also important to consider whether or not a hysterectomy was necessary. Typically, the decision to have a hysterectomy is made when the uterus becomes cancerous or is damaged during childbirth. However, a hysterectomy can be done for other reasons, such as heavy bleeding after childbirth or uterine fibroids. Removing the ovaries will not affect desire, but it can alter the levels of hormones in the body, which can have an impact on sexual function.
Prevention
Depending on the type of hysterectomy, it can leave you with thinner, drier vaginal tissues that might feel painful or raw during penetration. You might also have pain, bleeding, or itching at the incision site if your surgeon removed part of your uterus and/or cervix, or you might experience menopause symptoms like hot flashes if they removed your ovaries.
The best way to prevent painful sex after hysterectomy is to take your time and have patience with yourself and your partner as you resume sexual activity. Use a lubricant to make the process more comfortable and pleasurable for both of you. Be sure to always use a barrier method of contraception because some types of hysterectomies do not prevent pregnancy.
It is also important to communicate openly with your partner and try different positions and techniques to find what works for you. If you continue to have trouble, seek out counseling or therapy for both of you and your partner to work through any issues that might be causing you to avoid intimacy. Ultimately, the most effective and lasting way to prevent painful sex after a hysterectomy is to wait until your scars have healed and any vaginal discharge has stopped. Then you can re-introduce sexual activity into your life, provided you have medical permission from your doctor to do so.
Side Effects
Women who have had a hysterectomy often experience emotional and physical side effects for some time after the procedure. This is especially true if the ovaries were removed, as this causes a sudden drop in estrogen and other hormones and sends the woman into what is known as surgical menopause. This can lead to pain during sex and may cause a woman to feel less confident about sexual intimacy. This can be frustrating for both partners and should be addressed with a professional if it occurs.
Using lubrication can help to reduce pain during sex after a hysterectomy. However, it is important to communicate with your partner and go at a pace that feels comfortable for both of you. Using a barrier method of birth control is also essential if you are not in a monogamous relationship.
Despite the fact that painful sex after hysterectomy is very common, it does not have to be permanent. The majority of women report that the pain subsides and their libido returns after they have fully recovered from surgery. Taking the time to heal and following a doctor’s recommendation for resuming sexual activity will help you avoid any long-term issues with pain during sex after hysterectomy. Just remember to use a condom or barrier method of birth control to ensure that you don’t get pregnant in the future.
