There is no consensus regarding the effects of hysterectomy on the sexual experiences of women. For some women, there is no change in sexual experiences after a hysterectomy, while for others low libido levels and a losing sense of femininity affect them significantly. So, what should you expect after a hysterectomy? What are the actual changes that you may go through? How do you cope with the changes along with your partner? What can sex feel like for your partner after a hysterectomy? Let’s find out the answers to all these questions and understand what you should expect in terms of sex after hysterectomy.

What Should You Expect After A Hysterectomy?

After you go through a hysterectomy and the following recovery process, life should be back to normal for you. The absence of a menstrual cycle can be a pleasing change for women, however, it also comes with certain concerns. In terms of your sexual health and wellness, a hysterectomy can have an impact on your mental health, which affects your sexual wellness.

These changes are absolutely normal and shouldn’t be a cause of panic. The physical changes associated with a hysterectomy can cause changes to your physical appearance as well. It is important to monitor your changes and talk to your doctors regarding them if you feel concerned. Doctors will also talk to you about these changes when you are recovering to help you prepare for them appropriately. But what are these changes that you may experience? Let’s explore that in detail.

What Are The Changes You May Experience After A Hysterectomy In Terms of Your Sexual Health?

Surveys from various patients and experts alike agree that there are four main changes that women experience after a hysterectomy in terms of their sexual health. The changes are namely: not feeling attractive, pain during intercourse, reduced sensation, and loss of libido. Let’s explore these changes in detail.

Not Feeling Attractive

A hysterectomy takes away a woman’s ability to bear children. This has a profound impact on the mental health of women who view themselves as less attractive sexually, since they don’t have the ability to bear children anymore. They also fear that their partners won’t be sexually attracted to them anymore because of the physical changes they went through. There is no definitive answer on how these feelings can manifest in women, but they are a common experience among women who have gone through with the surgery. These feelings cause anxiety and can also cause symptoms of depression among women. Depression in most cases reduces your libido, which is another important change that women experience after a hysterectomy.

Pain During Intercourse

This can be caused due to a variety of reasons. Lack of arousal, symptoms of depression, not enough lubrication, and low sex drive in general. It should be noted that doctors recommend patients to wait at least six weeks before engaging in penetrative sex. Once this recovery period is complete, the changes mentioned above can occur. It is important to know all the factors mentioned above can be treated medically and you can get back to pain-free sexual intercourse in no time. If you are to perform penetrative sex during the recovery period, it can lead to bleeding and infection in your vagina, which can extend the recovery period further.

Reduced Sensation

Reduced sensation is a common feeling that women experience due to a hysterectomy. This includes a significant reduction in the orgasm intensities and reduced sexual pleasure. It should be noted that a hysterectomy doesn’t take away a woman’s ability to have an orgasm as the labia and clitoris are still intact. However, for women who need uterine contractions to have an orgasm, they can experience difficulty in maintaining the same intensity in orgasm as before the surgery. This reduced sensation is something you can discuss with your doctors who can suggest ways and positions that help you treat your condition.

Loss of Libido

Loss of libido can be caused by symptoms of depression or also due to hormonal changes that are caused due to getting a hysterectomy. If your ovaries are also removed during the surgery, it can force your body into menopause, regardless of your age. This would lead to a reduced production of oestrogen, which leads to reduced sex drive/ loss of libido. Doctors can recommend hormone replacement therapy in such cases or can even offer dietary changes, which can help with your hormonal imbalances. It is important to note your symptoms and discuss them with your doctor to get appropriate symptom management measures.

How To Cope With These Changes With Your Partner?

Coping with the physical changes is going to be a journey that you and your partner need to go on together. It is not possible to go through these changes in a day. This is something both you and your partner need to understand. Rushing the recovery period will do no good, you need to be patient with each other and also communicate clearly with the other party.

Communication gaps during this period can often lead to a downward spiral for women leading to feelings of unattractiveness and symptoms of depression. Clear communication with a supportive partnership towards each other is one of the key elements that will help you cope with the changes. 

Also, doctors will in most cases inform you before the surgery regarding all the changes you may experience. It is important that you discuss them with your partner first hand and even avail counseling to make sure you make a healthy recovery both physically and mentally after the procedure.

What Can Sex Feel Like For Your Partner After A Hysterectomy?

Sex after hysterectomy for a man doesn’t necessarily have many changes. The sensation of penetrative intercourse doesn’t change for men even if their partner has gone through a hysterectomy. Two things can affect the sexual satisfaction of your partner after the hysterectomy.

• Vaginal Dryness: Vaginal dryness is one of the factors that can affect the sexual experience of your partner. This can easily be treated using lubricants available both over the counter and ones medically prescribed by doctors. Vaginal dryness may be caused due to hormonal imbalances in the body due to the procedure. Doctors can help you restore your hormonal balance with the right treatment, if you talk to them.
   
• Lack of Libido: If you have a lack of libido, you may not be interested in engaging in sexual activity, which may affect your partner. This may be caused by symptoms of depression and hormonal changes. If you are experiencing a lack of libido, talk to your doctors. They can help you with counseling, guide you to different resources, and even offer medications that can help you treat symptoms of depression.

The role of the partner when you are recovering from your hysterectomy is crucial. They need to be there for you to help you recover well. So, if you are reading this as a man and your partner is going through or has gone through a hysterectomy, be there for them. Support them physically. Don’t let their intrusive thoughts regarding body image and attractiveness win over. And most importantly, be patient with them and communicate clearly. These things will help your partner recover optimally while helping you create and nurture a healthy relationship between two people.

Conclusion

Sex after hysterectomy is one of those topics that you need to know about before going through the surgery. While the general experience of every woman can differ, the information presented here covers what you may go through during and after your recovery period. It is important to seek help when you are in need of it, and be transparent with your partner and doctors. To learn more about hysterectomy and the experiences associated with the surgery, check out MASSH. We specialize in minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, which offer a quicker recovery and lesser risks compared to other types of hysterectomy surgery. Check out our website to learn more about hysterectomy at MASSH or visit us today to consult our experts.