Will I Lose my Libido after Hysterectomy?

You can generally expect a lot of fluctuation in your libido throughout the first year or so of hysterectomy recovery. Much of this is caused by hormone changes, but there are other causes as well.

For the first two weeks or so, you will probably be so tired that intimacy won’t even cross your mind. After a few weeks, however, you might experience a strong surge in your libido. These urges may be difficult to fight, but fight them you must until your doctor gives you the OK to resume sexual activity (generally no earlier than six weeks).

What happens after those first few weeks is somewhat unpredictable. Some women are able to ease back into their intimate life, maybe with the help of some lubricant. But some women experience a decline in libido, and sometimes even a complete loss.

A decline in, or lack of, libido after your initial recovery could be attributed to a number of things. For one, it could be a hormone imbalance. Even if you kept your ovaries, they may be in shock after surgery, and it may take a while for them to resume normal functioning. If you had your ovaries removed, it may take a while for your body to adjust to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other treatments.

But aside from hormonal issues, some women are simply afraid or nervous about resuming intimacy. Will it hurt? Will it tear something? Will it be as good as it was before? These are all normal fears that can put a damper on your libido.

Generally, your libido should be back to normal after a few months. If your problems—hormonal or otherwise—persist longer than that, be sure to talk to you doctor about options to get you back on track. If your regular doctor doesn’t treat libido issues, consider seeking out a doctor who does.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support. Reprinted with permission: Will I Lose my Libido after Hysterectomy?

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