One of the most common treatments for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy. Many women fear that after a hysterectomy they will lose their sexual desire. It has been reported that some women experience a decrease in the intensity of orgasm after a hysterectomy. But is it true?
There are several reasons why a woman may fear that a hysterectomy will reduce her sexual pleasure:
1) A hysterectomy can shorten the vagina, and some women said they don’t lubricate, which can cause discomfort.
2) Removing the ovaries during surgery (total hysterectomy) can cause a sharp drop in female hormones (estrogen), which can lead to vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.
However, in the largest study of its kind ever, a 1999 study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found the opposite. The sex life of the study participants improved positively after the hysterectomy. The majority of the 1,101 women who participated in the study were followed up 2 years after the hysterectomy. Overall, the frequency of sex after surgery has increased.
The study also found that:
1) Increased sexual activity after hysterectomy
2) Increased orgasm rate – 72% had an orgasm after the operation versus 63% before the operation.
3) Stronger orgasm – the women in the study reported a strong orgasm almost 15% more often after the operation.
4) Less Pain During Sex – Women in the study group who experienced pain during sex increased from 41% before surgery to 15% 2 years after surgery.
All of this is good news for women who fear the side effects of a hysterectomy on their sex life. The study finds that hysterectomy causes sexual problems. Researchers in the study attribute the improvement in sexual interest to relieving pain and discomfort from complications of the disease before surgery. The absence of vaginal bleeding and the elimination of the possibility of pregnancy may also contribute to improvements.
It is also important to note that not all hysterectomy procedures are the same, so there are different effects on the sexual function of a woman who has had a hysterectomy procedure with her ovaries removed or removed. another which was not. . Before making a decision, ask your doctor about the full effects and the selection of procedures available.