Hysterectomies are often a bad word in the life of a woman, as they feel their whole life will be completely different after the gynecological surgery. Their moods, body, and intimacy after a hysterectomy are significant components a woman takes into consideration when given the choice of undergoing the procedure.
But life after a hysterectomy doesn’t completely change your way of life. The surgery is beneficial to many women and certainly helps them with gynecological issues.
Intimacy after a Hysterectomy: How to Help Return to Your Sexual Activity
Many women feel defeated and concerned when their doctor recommends a hysterectomy surgery. Although this procedure is meant to treat a troublesome medical condition and should be a positive in a woman’s life, it can have some adverse effects on a woman’s confidence. Here are some hysterectomy recovery tips on how to improve your sex life, even after getting the procedure done.
Recovery period, or the waiting game
After your hysterectomy surgery, most doctors recommend you abstain from sexual intercourse for six to eight weeks. The inner and outer wounds need time to heal before you start sexual activity again. Having sex too soon after your surgery can cause bleeding and reopening the wound. Hysterectomy recovery varies depending on the woman, so the best thing you can do is listen to your doctor’s advice on how to take things slow.
Lack of feminine feelings
Some women experience a loss of femininity or confidence. Some may even feel a bit of grief while mourning the loss of their womb. Loss of fertility can be especially hard on young women who haven’t yet started their family. Also, post-hysterectomy weight gain and loss of sex hormones can cause changes in sexual desire.
Discomfort during intercourse
Often, women can experience painful sex after hysterectomy. After this procedure, estrogen levels drop, sometimes causing vaginal dryness. To alleviate this discomfort, use lubricants to facilitate sexual intercourse.
Coming to after a hysterectomy
Some women say orgasms feel different after hysterectomy. This feeling is mostly because of the changes in the vaginal wall and there will no longer be orgasmic spasms in the uterus anymore. However, side effects of hysterectomy surgery are different for each woman, so be mindful of what your body is telling you.
Time heals all wounds
When you are recovering from a hysterectomy surgery, the best thing you can do is take your time returning to sexual activity. Listen to your doctor’s advice, as he or she will know your condition best. Communicate with your partner when you do return to sexual activity about how you feel, what will make you comfortable, and if you’d like to stop. Lubricants work wonders while you start getting used to having sex again.
Not Your Mother’s Hysterectomies
At Nevada Surgery and Cancer Care, we perform state-of-the-art robotic hysterectomies to provide women with minimally invasive procedures and less time spent recovering. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our Gynecological Oncologist!