If you’ve had a hysterectomy or are getting one soon, you may wonder what will happen in bed after you recover. Furthermore, as the years pass, what will change between you and your partner – if anything? As a gal with a been there, done that perspective, here are essential things to know about sex after a hysterectomy.
Disclosure: This post is to provide general information regarding sex after a hysterectomy. If you have questions or need further advice, please consult your primary care physician or gynecologist to get the scoop. And lastly, don’t dive back into it until your doctor has given you the green light.
My Story
I remember the day I went to my gynecologist because of pain I was experiencing with my periods and, to be truthful, almost all month. He performed the normal routine exam and noticed that my ovaries felt larger than they should be. So, we both agreed, after the scan results came back, that an ovarian cyst surgery was the way to go. I felt confident in his skills, and although I was a little scared, I was finally happy to be rid of the pain.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks later, when I woke up after surgery in a hospital room – not in post-op, where I should have been given the go-ahead to recover at home over the weekend. Without the nurses telling me anything, my husband finally came into the room, and I asked what was going on.
He told me that between the time I scheduled the outpatient surgery and when it actually happened, a dermoid cyst had grown to the size of a softball on my right ovary and was overtaking my uterus. My doctor had to leave the operating room, and with photos of it in hand, my husband had to make the decision for me to receive a hysterectomy.
Yeah. Not what I had planned for the weekend. After a few days, I was released to spend weeks recovering at home. My whole body was thrown a curveball, and I was in instant menopause. I was placed on an estrogen patch due to my young age (this was nearly 15 years ago) and am still on it to this day.
I remember the changes I went through both mentally and physically – I had brain fog, my body felt completely different, I was sore, and the pain in my abdomen was nothing to balk at. So, as a lady that’s gone through all of the stages of menopause and has a smoking hot husband that adores me no matter what, I can attest that there’s a change to sex after a hysterectomy – but it’s still just as rewarding and fun.
There’s No Change in Sensation
There’s good news: your ability to enjoy sex won’t change, including the sensations and the big “O” – 13% of us even experience more intense ones after healing.
Having written that, if the nerves that offer the ability to climax are cut when your uterus is removed, you may experience less intense or no orgasms at all. Don’t panic: this is very rare.
No Sex Drive
The pain I felt from having the invasive surgery was reason enough not to want to hit the sack with my husband. But, with both ovaries removed, the lower amounts of estrogen and testosterone can also lower a woman’s sex drive.
Since I was placed on estrogen therapy from the get-go, I didn’t have to go through that stage. Honestly, once everything was healed, I didn’t feel the pain I felt almost daily below the belt, so it was a happy change for both my husband and me.
Dryness
This is something I did go through, even with estrogen therapy, until the dosage was corrected for my body. A decrease in estrogen can cause vaginal dryness, which is no fun even when you’re not having sex. Think of it as a constant feeling of having to pee combined with sandpaper. Ugh.
But, I did consult my gynecologist and was told that using a personal lubricant for dryness would help. It did. But, if that doesn’t help, ask your doctor about additional means, including estrogen creams and rings.
Improved Sexual Function
There’s more good news: problems with sexual arousal after a hysterectomy may be decreased. I remember mine being lower on days (or weeks) when I was in pain. However, after the pain went away, there was the freedom to enjoy it again.
On the flip side, the lack of sex hormones in your body may lower your ability to be aroused. You also may have the dreaded night sweats and hot flashes – not fun, especially when you’re out in public and have to explain yourself. Again, if this is problematic for you, have an honest talk with your gyno to find the best options for you.
Conclusion
There’s a good chance you’ll experience changes after a hysterectomy, but that can’t be all that surprising. The most important thing is to remember to take care of yourself and pay attention to your body. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and what one woman experiences may be totally different than yours. It’s your journey, hopefully one that will end with a positive outcome.
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