After a hysterectomy, will the patient have normal sexual function?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

Best person to ask is her doctor.

Not to mention the method of the hysterectomy, any complications, etc. plays a factor in how soon she can "resume". Which is why it's really not a good idea for any medical advice to be obtain from anyone other than that person's personal physician.

Fiona59 · Oct 12, 2005

What makes you thinks she won't? It's an old wife's tale that once it's gone you're no longer a woman.

If the ovaries are taken there can be hormonal problems (instant menopause comes to mind) but they can be dealt with. Lubricants, etc. overcome lady partsl dryness.

Sexual relations usually begin about six weeks post-op. It all depends on the surgery. lady partsl hys is a six week recovery period with the usual don't insert anything in the lady parts warning.

It all depends on the woman, her partner, and her attitude towards her body. It always bothers me when someone ties up her femininity with possessing a uterus or breasts.

Sex can actually be better without the uterus because that nagging fear of falling pregnant is permantly removed. (pardon the pun).

Janinern84 · Oct 12, 2005

What makes you thinks she won't? It's an old wife's tale that once it's gone you're no longer a woman.
If the ovaries are taken there can be hormonal problems (instant menopause comes to mind) but they can be dealt with. Lubricants, etc. overcome lady partsl dryness.
Sexual relations usually begin about six weeks post-op. It all depends on the surgery. lady partsl hys is a six week recovery period with the usual don't insert anything in the lady parts warning.
It all depends on the woman, her partner, and her attitude towards her body. It always bothers me when someone ties up her femininity with possessing a uterus or breasts.
Sex can actually be better without the uterus because that nagging fear of falling pregnant is permantly removed. (pardon the pun).

She asked me about lady partsl secretions during intercourse...would it be dry or would she still have secretions? I wasn't sure....bc i thought it was just horomones that did that....

Jolie, BSN · Oct 12, 2005

What makes you thinks she won't? It's an old wife's tale that once it's gone you're no longer a woman.
If the ovaries are taken there can be hormonal problems (instant menopause comes to mind) but they can be dealt with. Lubricants, etc. overcome lady partsl dryness.
Sexual relations usually begin about six weeks post-op. It all depends on the surgery. lady partsl hys is a six week recovery period with the usual don't insert anything in the lady parts warning.
It all depends on the woman, her partner, and her attitude towards her body. It always bothers me when someone ties up her femininity with possessing a uterus or breasts.
Sex can actually be better without the uterus because that nagging fear of falling pregnant is permantly removed. (pardon the pun).

I respectfully differ with your response. There has been some research which indicates that the uterus plays a role in the orgasmic response. One comment I have heard from a number of women post-hysterectomy is that the feeling of climax is less intense than it was prior to surgery. While that may not occur with all hysterectomy patients, I believe it is something they should be made aware of as they consider their treatment options.

Fiona59 · Oct 12, 2005

Everyone is entitled to their opinions.

I just know that sex got a hell of a lot better for me after my hys.

Sorry for the TMI, but its better to admit to why to have knowledge than depend on the opinions of those who haven't had the surgery.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

probably be better since the worry of unwanted pregnancy is gone. The secret is estrogen. If it is diminished then taking it orally is an alternative.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

Sorry for the TMI, but its better to admit to why to have knowledge than depend on the opinions of those who haven't had the surgery.

The knowledge really should be coming from this person's doctor, since they would know more about her health than we do.

Fiona59 · Oct 12, 2005

My first thought was why was the OP interested in friends mother's sex life?

But in general there is a lot of myths out there concerning sex after surgery. People like to ask questions in a non-threatening, annonymous arena.

My all time fav. question came from my mother regarding vasectomies, "do men still ejaculate after they have the op". No way would she have asked her doctor this one, and its the kind of question you want to know about but will only ask if you know someone who has had the surgery.

We all know that we are not here to diagnose or offer "real" medical advice.

mitchsmom · Oct 12, 2005

As with any drug or procedure, different people have different effects from them.

Here's the Google results for "sex after hyterectomy" - lots to see:

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-50,GGLD:en&q=sex+after+hysterectomy

sunny59 · Oct 12, 2005

I am trying to find out bc my friend's mom is getting one, and i tried to look it up, but no luck...
~Janine

Well . . . how was it before? :wink2: Seriously though, depending on the reason she is having it, perhaps it would be better. Her doc should be able to better answer her questions and concerns.

From a personal experience, I had to have one at 30, it took a while to get back up to speed so to speak, but no problems at all. Ovaries came out at 40, again no long term affects. Not to be to graphic here, but it took a while for the muscles to heal so that orgasm was not uncomfortable, lubricants help, but are not always necessary. Of course, before my surgeries I never imagined that there would be any problems, perhaps that is why there weren't any. oh yeah, I don't do HRT either.

Tell her not to overly worry about it and discuss it with her doctor before hand. It will be fine.

Sunny

zambezi, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2005

If your friends mom has a computer you can refer her to http://www.hystersisters.com. It is a non medical website, but there is lots of support for women in the pre and post hysterectomy periods. I know the site has been helpful for me...