Post-surgery vaginal shortening

I had total hysterectomy last October as part of my treatment of ovarian cancer. SInce then my ability to attain sexual arousal is effectively zero. Since I am not sexually active, has taken this long to discover in shower the other night that my vagina seems to be significantly shorter. About 2-2.5 inches in depth. I was devastated! Have read at this site that vagina can stretch to accomadate, but that seems to be a bit of a stretch indeed. Was already feeling snorfleed and unsexual since surgery, now feel feeling mutilated. Any help or suggestions out there?

Hi There!

I hope this article is helpful to you:

Vagina - Shortened After Hysterectomy?

Not to get into here, but I understand that, from what I have read, in order for the vagina to "reach it's full length/capacity" a woman typically needs to be "fully aroused." If you did not accomplish this full arousal through self-stimulation, you may be worrying for nothing.

I'm sending massive cyber-hugs your way!

Maybe you should discuss this with your doctor - there may be something you can do to slowly stretch the vagina back to a normal length. Also you should discuss with your doctor the lack of sex drive there has to be something they can do for you - I've heard progestrone creme can help with that. Don't give up. Hugs to you.

I've heard of some women having their vaginas shortened due to fibroids, cervical problems and other things. From what I've read (and I'm no expert here) some of them had to take it slow and have patience to let their SO stretch the canal over time. There's also something the DR can prescribe that works over a period of time to help ~ can't remember what they're called but it's something you insert and work your way through various sizes to get things back to normal. I'm sure if you did a search you could find what it is. I would talk to your DR. It's hard enough surviving cancer and I applaud you. But having to deal with feeling "mutilated" and stressing over whether you can or can't have an orgasm or a happy sex life would worry the mess outa me too! Hugs to you. I hope you get some answers and some help to get things right again.

It is more common to have a shortened vagina if you have a vaginal hysterectomy. You don't say what kind yours was. This was one of the reasons I chose to have a supracervical hysterectomy--I didn't want them messing up that length. See if there is a difference when you are sexually aroused; if not, ask the doctor about the surgery--did they shorten the vaginal cuff for a reason? It's your body and you know if the vagina is different.

I once did an extensive (and embarassing!) search on the internet to find out *what is the measurement of the basic vagina*?

The answer: The length is 2-1/2 to 3 inches long (and stretches to accommodate). Snug enough for a tampon going in, yet stretchy enough for a baby coming out. Sexual arousal causes the vagina to relax and lengthen. My doc used the term *millimeters* to describe the small amount of shortening that would take place.

I hope this info help