A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that takes out the womb. This hollow organ is where the development and growth of babies occur during pregnancy. This procedure is often performed to address serious cases of fibroids or endometriosis. It is also a life-saving procedure to address cervical or uterine cancer cases. Once this treatment is done, you will be unable to have a child and may experience a number of side effects. However, the benefits of the procedure can improve your overall quality of life. One question many patients who receive a hysterectomy have is how it will affect their sex life.
The Future Of Your Sex Life With A Hysterectomy
While the immediate effects on your sex life will be abstinence, this all changes once you heal. Following the healing process, you will be able both engage in and enjoy sex largely without hindrance. Having a healthy sex life is possible throughout our entire lives, and having a hysterectomy does nothing to change that. So let’s take a look at what to expect from your sex life once the healing is done.
There are three types of hysterectomy:
- Total Hysterectomy: The most frequently performed hysterectomy, this procedure removes the entirety of the uterus, including the cervix. In certain instances, the fallopian tubes and ovaries may also be removed.
- Partial Hysterectomy: This procedure removes the uterus and possibly the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The cervix, however, is left in place.
- Radical Hysterectomy: This form is most commonly done to address uterine or cervical cancer. It involves the removal of the cervix, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina.
Some discharge and light bleeding is common after the procedure, and you will no longer experience menstrual periods. It’s not uncommon to experience burning, itching, and pain around the incision site. Menopause symptoms may occur if your ovaries are removed. These include night sweats and hot flashes.
So what about your sex life? The majority of women who received this procedure indicated that their sex life was either unchanged or improved following the procedure. This is largely the result of the heavy bleeding and pain that resulted in the need for the procedure being finally gone. The biggest hindrance to your sex life may be a drop in libido in the event that your ovaries are removed. Estrogen and testosterone, both produced by your ovaries, are essential to your libido.
In some instances, the procedure may reduce your orgasm, or you may become anorgasmic after the surgery. This occurs if the nerves that enable you to climax are severed during the removal of the uterus. While uncommon, this is a potential result of the procedure.
Learn More From Your Physician
If you’re considering getting a hysterectomy, reach out to your physician. They’ll be able to provide you with greater insight into the potential effects of the procedure. What’s critical to focus on is that most women who receive a hysterectomy are able to return to a normal and enjoyable sex life following the procedure.
