Odor/Discharge after Hysterectomy

Before surgery, I've always had a slight vaginal discharge which increases at ovulation time, etc.. (Not talking about periods, just "normal female discharge).. Sometimes I would use a mini-pad, etc.. As I think is common in most women, I noticed a SLIGHT female odor which would intensify closer to shower time. I was always self concious about any odor although my DBF always told me he LOVED it,, and actually found it an aphrodisiac! I guess this is normal in most women.. Don't know if the Discharge/female odor comes from Uterus or NOT.. SInce my surgery 1 1/2 week ago, I have only had 2 days of very slight spotting, and no discharge WHATSOEVER since... ABSOLUTELY NO SMELL, My DBF actually noticed this... I wonder if this female stuff returns or NOT since the Hysterectomy.. Do many of you have any trouble with natural Lubrication during sex since your Hysterectomy (when you did NOT have problems before Hyst???? )... Of course we haven't gotten close to that yet, as I am only 1 1/2 weeks Post-op. (But thinking about it for sure).. I only ended up with ONE ovary since surgery, so I wonder how the hormones will pick up too.... Kathie

Kathie --
I'm not sure when it (discharge and aroma) will return, or whether it will be quite the same with only one ovary, but I think it is closely connected to arousal/lubrication and not limited to cyclic monthly hormonal changes (although certainly there is a connection to the cycle). I hear that it takes a while for natural lubrication to resume for some people, but not everyone.

I wish I could tell you from experience, but it's going to be a while yet before my DH and I are cleared for sex. (My hyst was cancer-related and I had post-op radiation, so we're still waiting...)

How lovely that your DBF enjoys your natural aroma! I find it sad that our culture has invented things like "feminine deodorant." We are conditioned to be self-conscious about odor, when in reality we should only worry when a clean vagina emits a "fishy" or a "yeasty" odor as a sign of infection. A healthy, clean vagina, as your DBF knows, has a characteristic natural aroma -- and our hormonal cycles give us natural variations in mild discharges throughout the month.

I'm on my "soapbox" now ... Large corporations prefer for us to think of any aroma as "bad" (so we will buy their expensive douches and deodorizers) and to buy a different-sized pad for every day of the month. Their douches can actually create imbalances in our natural flora, triggering overgrowth of yeast organisms which then require treatment with the pharmaceutical companies' expensive creams or suppositories. We should ONLY douche when our gynecologists direct us to, and we should Never use deodorant products on the delicate areas of our vaginas! (Some gynecologists will allow you to douche after intercourse with a mild solution that's easy to make at home and administered with a re-usable douche bag. Most gynecologists will tell you NOT to buy pre-mixed drugstore douches excepting in certain medical conditions, and NEVER the 'floral' scented types.)

I, too, am looking forward to finding out what the post-op (and post-radiation, in my case) changes in my vagina, my natural lubrication, and my love life with my DH will bring.

While you're waiting, give your DBF lots of loving hugs and kisses.

=empresse

I am 6 weeks post op and have no discharge or odor...and I am LOVING it...I pray it never returns...

i have had no odor or discharge either. hi kathie!

Lucky you. Can't wait till I no longer have discharge from stiches disolving. I'm ready to get rid of the panty liners.

I am so glad you posted this! I thought I was crazy. After the surgery, I, too, noticed... no smell! I still have some discharge but it's very slight. But no smell, really. Unlike before.

Ugh! 4 weeks post-op, and I STILL am having drainage... and, for the first time in my life, it smells! I never had an odor before. I was told the smell is from the stitches dissolving, and the drainage is maybe from that or after-effects of the bladder suspension. Can't wait to stop the pantiliners, though.... I'm hoping my third trip to the store for them 2 days ago will be my last!