The article Total Hysterectomy Can Kill The Joy Of Sex is a bit dry and academic, but it still made for a good read. Apparently, removal of the cervix after a hysterectomy can inhibit the sexual experience for women. Sometimes doctors remove a healthy cervix during hysterectomy in the event that the organ may become cancerous in the future. I don't agree with surgically removing perfectly healthy organs because they might become cancerous sometime in the future.
I didn't know that in some hysterectomies, the ones where the cervix is removed, the top of the vagina is rolled down like a toothpaste tube and then sealed. Scar tissue will eventually grow in that area, which keeps it sealed. The problem with this is that some women who have had shortened vaginas spoke about painful intercourse.
There are other very interesting points made in the article. I highly recommend my readers take a look at it.
The article The Effect Of Hysterectomy On Sexual Functioning, which appeared in the Annual Report On Sex Research, described the physiology of orgasm in women:
The uterus and cervix play a role in the physiology of orgasm. Orgasm appears to be a neurological genital reflex. A biphasic motor response results first in contractions of the smooth muscles of the fallopian tubes, uterus, and paraurethral glands of Skene. The second phase consists of contractions of the striated muscles located within the pelvic floor, perineum, and anal sphincter. The sensation of orgasm is probably caused by the sensory stimuli from the contractions of the internal genitalia (i.e., uterus, cervix, vagina) that reach the brain. The conscious recognition of these sensory impulses is believed to be the experience of orgasm (Hasson, 1993; Segraves & Segraves, 1993). As a consequence, it is conceivable that surgical removal of the uterus can affect orgasm.
One possible reason for a woman's difficulty with sex after hysterectomy could be because of "surgical damage to the pelvic autonomic nerves during total hysterectomy." This damage "partially disrupts the nerve supply to the blood vessels of the vaginal wall, which is responsible for the neural control of the lubrication response." Some women have experienced a lack of lubrication after a hysterectomy. Surgical damage to the pelvic autonomic nerves may be the reason for that problem.
In addition, changes in hormone levels may affect a woman's sex drive. According to The Effect Of Hysterectomy On Sexual Functioning,
"physiological ovarian failure that takes place in postmenopausal women results in marked decreases of estrogen and androgen levels. The physiological decrease in estrogen levels is thought to be the cause of sexual dysfunctions in women, such as reduced vaginal lubrication and dyspareunia [painful intercourse] (McCoy, 1994)."
Opposing views are out there about how hysterectomy affects a woman's sex drive and sexual experiences. According to Women's Health,
"many women fear depression or other emotional changes following hysterectomy, but research shows no increase in depression occurs after hysterectomy. Some women are afraid they will lose their desire for sex, this too is untrue and your sex life should remain as pleasurable, if not more pleasurable once you are free of the cause of your hysterectomy."
Regarding a woman's loss of sex drive after a hysterectomy,
"data supported by extensive research indicates that neither aging nor hysterectomy affect sexual desire negatively. Despite the physical changes and problems that aging or a hysterectomy may bring about, most studies show that people continue to have satisfying sexual experiences throughout their life. Research results indicate that sexual desire before and after either menopause or hysterectomy is likely to remain unchanged and may even be enhanced."
Women's Health also pointed out that "removal of your ovaries may cause a decrease in sexual desire which can improve with the use of estrogen." Your gynecologist may prescribe an estrogen cream or you may purchase one over the counter if dryness is a problem. Don't use petroleum jelly. You risk vaginal infection, and petroleum jelly can damage condoms and diaphragms.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Joanie
I can personally vouch for increased libido and enjoyment after a hysterectomy. They removed the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in my case. The first 6-8 months after the hysterectomy were tough, but after that, I felt better than ever.
Women need to talk with their doctors and partners and determine which option is best for them. Many factors must be considered, but ultimately, the overall health of a woman is the deciding factor.
2 - FRANK
Thanks Joanie, I needed your encouragement. My wife had a complete hysterectomy in Nov. '05. We're sitting at just under 6 months now. Sex has been painful for her, which causes her desire for sex to go straight south. I am obviously very concerned. But have found a little more strength from your comments in knowing it should get better. Thanks again
3 - Stacey
Hello, I had a hysterectomy in 1998. I have not been the same since. I have been small all my life & my family is also small. Of couse, now I weigh more. Before the hysterecomy, I was crazy about sex. It is a shame that we have the hysterectomy to feel better, but we loose our well-being (mind, personality, spunk & ect). when the Doctors put you on hormones, it either breaks your skin out, oily hair, may cause breast cancer, your not suppose to be on too long, possible weight gain & the list goes on. So, what are we suppose to do. Why can't we have the same thing/amount of whatever that was in our ovaries that will help us ladies be happy,love sex & have our well-being back. I have been so depressed for so long. And yes I am on a anti-depression rx. thank God.I can't remember the sisters names that are Doctors in California that help us in his matter. Will someone let me know. And will someone help me?
4 - Annamarie
I just had a historectomy three weeks ago. I am scared to death that it will effect my sex life in a way that it will effect my husband. Is this normal to feel this way? Will it be the same for him, or will he feel a change? please help
5 - David
Well I found out yesterday that my wife is going to have have a hysterectomy next week. It rattles me and her since I am in Iraq as a civilian contractor. I will not be able to be there for her when she wakes up either. I know she is scared as to the final results of what changes she is going to go thru. I am trying to find out as much as I can to help her deal with it. She is worried about her sex drive after it. She is really worried since I am due back home next mth.. Thanx for sharing everything.I will keep cking this blog for more info.
6 - ssh
5 months back my wife had ahysterectomy. Before this we enjoyed sex lot. but after the operation till today she does not feel like having sex.She is saying her sexual felings are lost.Can't she revive her her sexual appetite. Really Iam little worried.My age is 43 and her's 42.
7 - Sierra
I had a hysterectomy 6 months ago and my libido is through the roof. I don't know why and I guess that should be a good thing, but I think my husband is having trouble keeping up with me. I guess my problem is on the other end of the spectrum, but maybe those having problems just need to give it a little more time.
I think my increase in libido is because I don't have to take birth control pills now (which can lower your sex drive.)
8 - Anonymous30
I just had a hysterectomy November 6,20006 and my sex drive is through the roof and I mean through the roof. I know that I have to wait 6-8 weeks to have sex, but it's like I can't stop thinking about sex. Sometimes just thinking about sex makes me wet but I guess that is a good thing right.For all of you women having intimatcy issues my heart goes out to all of you and I hope things get better for you.
9 - Babysis
I had a hysterectomy back in Sept 06, and I have had a great boost in my sex life. I think my thing was more of me being scared thtinking it was going to be painful. So I would say to those who say it's painful try to clear your mind and relax.
10 - Lilianr
I had mine too on 6 October and have masterbating almost every nite . My libido increased but my husband seems to be avoiding me .may be not interested.
11 - Tammi
Unfotunately, the whole hysterectomy discussion is clouded by many factors and because we don't compare apples to apples. The starting point should be normal female function and how the surgical procedure hysterectomy (in its various forms) alters and/or diminishes this function. That is how you want to decide whether to have a hysterectomy or not, that is what you need to keep in mind when the procedure has already been completed.
So, when a woman reports that she has just had the surgery and sex drive or whatever is through the roof - take into consideration what this may be in reference to. Previous to the hyst, she may have had conditions that prevented normal sexual function, while the hyst does not restore normal sexual function - it can remove the previous condition. So if like me, you are someone without a pelvic/reproductive condition affecting your normal sexual function - hysterectomy can only dimish your function after surgery.
Doctors do not explain the multilevel damage that has to occur in order to perform procedure. The removal of organs that are part of a system and the lost of their fuctions (known and unknown), the structural alteration to the pelvis, damage to nerves/ligaments/blood supply and other connective tissue that serve the entire pelvis, the shortening of the vagina and turning it into a closed scarred pocket. Does any of this sound sexually enhancing and last but not least the derrangement of hormonal production and balance.
I know the doctors don't bother to mention any of this, they say it will all be fine and from this blog, there are many women who will echo those sentiments. But if you really think about it, and you start the discussion from normal female function - is this surgery enhancing or diminishing, I think you will have your answer.
For the husbands out there, I implore you to go to the ends of the earth and find alternatives to surgery. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone and no amount of hormones, antideppressants, hope, or lies will change this fact. While you can always leave your wife for another woman (as many men do), if you generally care for the wife, listen critically to how the medical community frames this discussion and choose another path. I recommend all women to check out the www.hersfoundation.org before making a decision you may regret the rest of your life.
While I didn't choose this surgery, it was performed on me nevertheless, so my regret is in seeking medical attention. I've lost my family, my career, my education, and my future. Not depressed, these are just the facts.
Take care all.
12 - wendy
i had the opperation 4 yrs ago now , every thing taken away . (what is every thing )well it is what they say every thing , your feelings , your self asteem . every thing you were before you are not again , your sex live , is a waste of time as you have no feelings there any more . you become very self consiouse of the scare , well i qess what im saying is if you DONT NEED IT THEN DONT HAVE IT DONE .
13 - wendy
well i had the opperation done 4 yrs ago /the docter came and told me he had removed ever thing , OK whats every think ?well it is just what he said it is ,(every thing )your feelings , your sex drive , your whole live becomes different . well having your bits taken away that makes us different from a man isnt a good boost to us now is it?you dont get told what is realy going to happen to you after . so IF you dont need to have it done then dont , as it should only be done in life threatning cases i think .that just my oppinion ,
14 - Mary
My partner just had a total hysterectomy right after Christmas and I'm told you have to wait 6wks before sex. She was never one to really be hot for a lot of sex and I usually would wait for her cue since I'm told I'm 'obsessed'. What do I do if the cue doesn't come in 6 wks or more? She is not happy about hormone therapy since she has breast cancer in the family. If she doesn't take anything, where does that leave sex? What less is out there?
15 - Kara
I am 28 years old and I have a hyst. planned for Jan. 19th. I am so scared that it will affect my sex life and desire. I love my husband and we are in love. Sex is good for us and it is an important part of our marriage. I have read comments saying that for some it is better and for the others is a very negative change. I don't know what to think. My doctor suggests that he removes everything. I have very bad scar tissue from having 2 c-sections and multicystic ovaries. I live in pain 80% of the time. I am so torn of what to do. I really need some kind of encouragment. Everything I read seems to make me even more scared. I question my decisions constantly and feel like my life is being taken away.
16 - husband
My wife had a hysterectomy in Feb of 06. She is 41 y/o. Since the surgery, she has created two email accounts to exchange ilicit sexual desires with two different men. She acted upon some of those desires with one of them. Now from a husbands perspective, I have never lost interest in sex and probably think about it the same as when I was 17. My wife did say one thing to me that is the only thing I can make sense of. Her sex drive has increased dramatically. This makes sense to me. So for you woman or men worried whether or not sex would continue after the surgery I offer the previous info. For you men out thier I say this, better watch your wives.
17 - CharlotteKate
Kara-I had a total hysterectomy in September 06 when I was 28. I had a rare form of cancer, no pain or anything, but my doc's said I needed to get rid of it all to have the best chance of the cancer not coming back. The surgery was hard (it was my second one in seven weeks) but I am really getting better. On the sex front, I feel a lot better now and have no problems with sex. In fact, I may have more sensation and enjoy it more now even though I did not think I was missing out before. I was really super scared after the surgery that things would not work out, that my vagina would be too short, it would hurt, etc. It all worked out ok. Talk to your doctor about this now to ease your mind. Make sure you trust your doctor and his/her surgery skills. If you do, then rest easy. You should not be living in the pain you are in....it will be better after surgery. Lots of posts here and on the web in general are scary and from people who are not coming from the same place as you and me, a place where a hysterectomy is necessary and absolutly the right thing to do.....don't listen to that stuff. I know how scary it is, but the surgery is what will relieve your pain. I wish you all the best.
18 - Jodi
I was scared into having a radical hysterctomy by a doctor that immediatley decided that it could be Cancer and by my well meaning, but take over everything family. The doctor just basically literally cut and ran. Took out Everything. I never saw him again. My family pressured me very hard and the doctor scared me So bad. Cancer is a very scary word. I was 41 at the time. I wasn't given enough information, my suggestions were dismissed, I was made to feel scared to death that it was Cancer...even though another doctor (who I believed) did not think it was anything more that Fibroids and Endometriosis. That was exactly what it turned out to be. There are other ways to treat this. I deeply regret this decision. It was made out of fear and pressure. Instant menopause. Bad. Please don't let this happen to you. Go for other opinions and trust your self. Please don't let anyone railroad you into this.
I can understand if a woman was in a Lot of pain before a hysterectomy, sex would naturally be better. But I was not in That kind of pain and I lost the wonderful uterine contractions that I had. Sexual feeling definitely went down hill. Sex basically feel like a "blip" right now. I also feel more depressed and empty that I can possibly ever say. Why don't doctors tell you this? Maybe going on HRT will change some of this-Please God.
Please, Please, Please unless it really seems like a life-threatening situation-Think it over and don't let Anyone pressure you into getting it. Get other opinions. Seconds and thirds if need be. Also, any decent man would not leave their wife/lover over this though-They would try to work with her and other doctors to get help.
19 - Donna :o)
Hi to everyone!! Just found out a few weeks back that I have a uterine fibroid the size of a grape fruit. The location of the fibroid is dead center of the uterus. My OBGYN Dr., whom I do trust, said that she could not remove the fibroid without taking the whole uterus. Well that caught me off guard. I just turned 36 and do not have children. I have had problems conceiving in the past. Have also had back problems and low energy. I do feel that the uterine fibroid is a contributing factor to all the above.
To try to make a long story short. I've been doing a lot of reading up and research on the hysterectomy procedure and fibroids. (That’s why I ended up at this website. LOL) There is a partial hysterectomy and full hysterectomy as I am sure you all know. The cervix is almost always removed along with the uterus. I have been referred to a Specialist. Like someone has already said once it's done it's done. KNOW GOING BACK!!! I've been emotional about it all. Loosing my female parts, wondering how it will affect the intimate details of my life, and coming to terms with maybe never bearing children. I don't know what is going to happen. I go to the Specialist in a couple of weeks. A day at a time and I am trying to trust God in it all.
In closing I would like to thank everyone for their sharing as it has helped me and I would like to post a question for the Men. It is an intimate question and a concern that I have. I am concerned for my sexuality, but for some reason, more concerned about the sexuality of my partner. Does the cervix play a role in sexual feeling for men? Men when you have made love to your wives after a hysterectomy and the cervix has also been removed is there a difference in feeling for you? Maybe it seems like a weird question. Sorry. This is just a deep concern for me.
Thank you for listening and I feel that any feed back would help me with any decision I will be making regarding my health in the coming days. Would appreciate any and all in put anyone may have. God Bless!!
20 - Shannon
Hi, I am 32 years old and have been in pain for almost 2 years. My doctor mentioned to me about having a hys. I am very scared and don't know what to do next. All I know is that I am tired of hurting. I want to be sure that I am making the right choice by doing this. I remembering suffering for 5 years and everytime I went to the doctors they old me I had one thing and gave me medicine and that wasn't the problem. It was when Imet someon with the same problem and I went back to my doctor and told him want to test me for and he finally found the problem and that's why I afraid because what if I have something else going on and they have not found the correct problem and this hyst could be the least of my problems. HELP ME. I need help before feb 13, 07
21 - Ree Ree
To Donna , posted Feb 6, 2007 13:15 pm
Im 56 years old had it done a few years ago ...
DO NOT DO THE PROCEDURE DO NOT DO IT ! PLEASE YOU CANT BELEIVE HOW COMPPLICTED THIS SURGERY AND THE AFTER EFFECTS ARE HORRIBLE DO NOT DO IT PLEASE..
GO TO DR HUFNAGEL WEBSITE AND GET THE FACTS. IF YOIU WANT TO SCREW UP YOUR SEX LIFE , THIS IS A WAY TO DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT.!!! YOU CAN GET THE FIBROID REMOVED ANOTHER WAY AND PRESERVE THE UTERUS !!! THE UTERUS IS WHERE IT IS AT DURING SEX ! CAN YOU GROW ANOTHER UTERUS !!1 IT IS AN ORGAN ! CAN YOU GET A UTERUS TRANSPLANT ?!! HELLO!! I WISH I NEVER DID IT AND THE SURGEON WHO DID IT DID A GREAT JOB BUT DID NOT TELL ME THAT MY SEX LIFE WOULD BE SEVERELY AFFECTED ...
22 - aimee
To number 15. Do not be scared of hysterectomy. I had mine 2 weeks ago and I am wonderful. I feel 100% better then what I have felt like in the past year. I had complete hysterectomy due to dysplasia on cervix & ovaries. Also, abnormal mentrual cycles and we my family history of reproductive cancer and the pre-cancerous changes on my uterus and cervix this was the best option for me. Don't be scared, you will get through this. I am also around the same age as you. I am 29 years old.
23 - Ray
Hi, everyone; My wife had a complete hysterectomey in 2002. Since then she has no interest in sex whatsoever. She took premarin right away after the procedure but it didn't stop the hot flashes or mood swings. Her personality changed drastically. Instead of asking her doctor about possible solutions, she insisted that the problem was with me. None of the gynecologists we spoke to found her behavior unusual. Two of the three gynecologists agreed that she should not take hormone replacement. When she was off of the hormones, she stopped caring about her appearance or cleanliness at all. Though she is now back on HRT, she seldom bathes, wears clean clothing or even brushes her hair or teeth. She is no longer the loving, caring woman I married. All that's left is the listless husk of a person that cares little about the world around her and even less about the husband who married her.
24 - Jim
For #19 and others like her. I am a 56 year old male, and my soon to be wife is 57 years old. She had a complete hysterectomy 5 years ago due to having a large fobroid tumor on her uterus. That was before I had met her. Just for the record, I am a man who has been married three times before, and I have had sex with many beautiful women over the years. The sex with my 57 year old fiancee is the BEST I have ever had! She is very wet, sexy, multi-orgasmic, and has an amazing appetite for making love. We enjoy it for hours, and it's always wonderful for me. I don't know what her doctors did differently, but the sex is great! She had two children when she was in her twenties. She claims that the hysterectomy hasn't changed her at all. She does use the estrogen patch, but that's all. I just wanted to post this to let those know that really need to have a hysterectomy, that it can work out great for the man in your life.
25 - lisa
I had a hysterectomy 6mths ago. I feel better, were I don't have pain everday,cancer or bleeding. I still think about sex, want sex, untill it's time. Alot of times it hurts, the odd time it doesn't. I had sex about 4 wks ago, it was great the next day I had alot of pain like I tore. Then I got a yeast infection, I have reactions to latex. Then I got vaginitis. So now no sex.That has to be one of the most painful things I've ever had. Is this common, vaginitis? After removal of uterus and cervix.