pre-surgery worries...libido type questions???

Hello all,
A friend suggested this site to me...I am very "shy" when it comes to sexual matters...but I have to ask SOMEONE....I am having a vaginal hysterectomy in a couple of weeks...and me being the curious person that I am, I decided to watch a program on Discovery Health about lack of libido and such after surgery...now I am a bit terrified!!! I have never had that great a sexual drive as it is...do the majority of women experience loss of libido after a hysterectomy??? I am, as far as I know, only having my uterus removed...not sure about my cervix???...My uterus has prolapsed and I experience quite a bit of discomfort during sexual activity right now...It was my hope that this surgery was going to make things better for me in this department...now I fear that things will be worse....any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!!!
HUGS!
alittleworried

Hi and welcome!

if you're having a vaginal hysterectomy, there is almost a 100% chance that your cervix is being removed. Unless you have a very skilled surgeon, there is virtually no way to save the cervix with this procedure. (Ask your doctor about this, though.)

While it's true that some women have a loss of libido after a hysterectomy, many women (especially those who kept their ovaries) find that they have an increase in sexual desire due to fluctuating hormones and the fact that whatever problems they may have been having before surgery are no longer an issue.

Personally, my libido is just as strong, if not more so, than before my surgery. But again, this is something you need to discuss with your doctor.

Best wishes and s,

Lisa

Before my hyst I never wanted sex, just didn't feel womanly, now I want it whenever I can get it, good thing I'm married. THe more the marrier, and my hubby ain't complaining

Thanks Lisa....
I appreciate your help ) I am feeling some better now...I keep thinking that it HAS to be better without the pain...I have suffered with this for years before finally finding a doctor who offered to help me...
HUGS!
alittleworried

Thanks galvatron!!!!
I sure needed to hear this...I have been worried sick that I would lose my sex drive after surgery....it is nice to know that this does not always happen. I am hopful that, after surgery...I will no longer have pain during sexual activity...which will hopefully INCREASE my libido.....but I was really worried...guess that is what I get for watching Discovery Health...

alittleworried

Shyness has never been one of my virtues - LOL.

If you are having a vaginal then you won't have a cervix afterwards. The surgeon will make a vaginal cuff (basically stitches the cut ends of the vagina togethr and they heal as 'one')

Perhaps you have no libido now because before you consciously know you want sex your brain shuts down the thought because it knows it will be painful. Just a passing thought...

There are about 160,000 to 200,000 hysterectomies performed in the US each year (yes, YEAR)... in some cases there are post-op problems (loss of libido, hormonal probs, etc) but in most cases (or there would be such an outcry!) things are as good if not better with your body and in the sex department too.

I am 4 weeks post op and the urge is there - have 2 wait another 2 weeks to act on it. This is going to be the longest 2 weeks of my life - LOL.

The waitng and the what ifs are the hardest - once you've had surgery and get thru the first week --- you start looking ahead and realize that the pain and problems are gone. There is still the surgery pain but that has an end in sight compared to years of bleeding and clots and pain.

If you are able to keep your ovaries the chances for a full recovery increase (no mandatory HRT or surgical menopause) - it's one less thing to have to deal with.

When you're ready, ask for "Tigress in the Bedroom" tips .

I'm having similar concerns regarding my hysterectomy. I think what if sex isn't as good after and then I remember, "oh yeah, I can't even have intercourse as it is, anything would be better". My prolapses are so bad there is absolutely no "traction" in the vagina. I tell my husband he's getting an idea for what sex will be like when we're ninety.

Seriously though, I do wonder too if my orgasms will be as intense as they are now. I am hopeful after hearing stories from others that this is a needless concern.

Hi eager and others,

I think I saw that same Discovery channel show (Electric Orgasm?) and if I had seen that show before the surgery, ****, it would have messed me up. Before surgery I kept worrying about the what ifs--just my personality. The major "what if" for me was possible loss of libido and orgasm, or even a different orgasm. I felt kind of shallow for obsessing over this, but that how it is for me.
I am 4 weeks post-op (TAH/surprise LSO). Orgasms feel exactly the same as before the surgery. I thought I felt them internally, but evidently not since those structures including cervix are now gone. Yet, there it is. Splendid. Intense. Libido also the same, now that I am well into recovery. I have been on estrogen replacement and feel great on it. Hope this helps.

Thanks Sandy,
I am feeling a lot better since you have answered my post...of cousre, if so many women were having trouble there would be a huge outcry...I guess it is silly for me to worry...but it seems that my fears are normal....
Thanks for your Help,
alittleworried

Lassafever,
Yep, that's the show I watched...very interesting wasn't it? I should never have watched it though...until I watched that show I didn't really think about loss of libido or other sexual problems that can follow the surgery...I am glad to hear that you have had no trouble...it makes me feel at lot less worried...
Thanks!

alittleworried