Hi, I'm 38 years old.& have one child, I have over the last few years had increasingly heavy periods & pain becoming more irregular as time goes on. I have had a scan which showed fibroids & a cyst on my ovary. I have read the various treatments both medical & surgical, but I am worried what effect these will have on our love life. Despite my gyne problems enjoy a good sex life. I have read about the normal side effects, & usual risks of surgery eg bleeding, infection etc but no one talks about what this means for sex, ..... Would anyone be willing to talk??
Well I had a total hysterectomy in April but for me I do not have a partner to have sex with so have no idea on that plus I am 63 yrs old. My surgeon told me there should be any problem if ever time comes for me to experience sex again in my lifetime. I have the feelings of wanting it but...you know the rest. I wish you good luck but if there is any cancer in there it is best to take it out and deal with the side effect as I bled for 2 months afterwards. I am still experiencing pain and it has been 6 months since the operation was done. I guess it affects a person differently it depends on your metabolism and how it works. Not every woman has the same mentral cycle either heavy or weak 3 days or 7. Just be safe
If you are concerned about sex side effects why not speak to your Gyna.... Initial sex after fibroids / cysts removal will depend on healing etc. less invasive keyhole is quicker, abdominal cut the hardest - vaginal if it can be done depending on fibroids also less invasive.... I'd recommend no abdominal incision if you can avoid it as longest tot recover from. Take least 6/8 weeks for things to heal depending on severity of op... After that you should be cleared for sex - again this Will depend on how you feel yourself about yourself after operations... Generally it's fine once all healed and no complications...
Also for fibroids you can be put on a Decaptyl injection which shrinks the blood supply to the Fibroids (over a period of few months) - this helps shrink fibroid a bit and prevent haemorrhaging bleedinh on the op table as blood supply cut off from fibroid.
Thanks for your help, hopefully should have an appointment next week, just awaiting some blood results .
Thank you for replying, I know its a very personal question. I hope your pain settles soon. Take care j
Hi Julia. I had a total hysterectomy in May and have not noticed any difference, even though I have a vaginal cuff. My doctor suggested I buy Replens as I might experience dryness, but that ended up not being an issue. We waited for 7 weeks and that point, it wasn't really painful, which I had been dreading so much. Probably not everyone would have the same experience though. You are welcome to message me if you have any questions.
Thank u for your message, that been quite reassuring, its hard to find how people feel about it & what effects it actually has on all aspects of life, there's loads of " technical" information, but harder to find experiences, so thank u, if its ok I'll keep in touch, I'm sure as time goes on then more questions & worries will pop up.
Well I hope all goes well for you... I was low in iron before my operation and got an iron infusion via drip as it boosts you immediately as opposed to iron tablets. Important to take Vit C to absorb iron...
Sure, no problem. I'd be happy to answer any question you may have. 
Morning, yes have started taking iron & just multi vits as was generally starting to feel a bit run down, so I suppose will just have to wait & see what comes next. Thanks for your support, I have to says I've never used discussion groups before, but have found this really good, & in some ways easier talking to people I dont know, maybe just not worrying about saying this which will worry them.....
I've read that a hysterectomy affects your sex life too . . . on more of an emotional/hormonal level. Is this what you mean julia76657? Because thats what I worry about too, it causing personal changes in my relationship with my husband.
It shouldn't really cause any changes in your relationship with your husband. Most say their sex life improves after a hysterectomy... I think it all depends on how you view / feel about yourself after a hysterectomy and deal with the operation and the hormonal changes that may come with it... Some people get a bit depressed after it (especially if they haven't been able to have kids)... And sex the first time after it can be a bit daunting but once you take it slowly initially and ease back into it, it should be fine. You may require lubrucating gel to help with vaginal dryness due to low estrogen after it (if you haven't gone through menopause)...
Hi sorry I haven't answered sooner, have been a bit down, I think I was meaning in all ways emotionally, & physically, I have just seen the consultant today who has now said following my scans I need a hysterectomy & removal of my ovaries . & fallopian tubes, unfortunately there is no option for keyhole surgery as the fibroids & cysts are too big. .... but you know since. I've been talking with my partner & told him what's worrying me, he's been so good, it's made it so much easier sharing it all. So maybe most of the worries have been because we didn't talk x
Hi how are u, well I've just seen the consultant today, he says I need a total hysterectomy & removal of both ovaries, he can't do it laproscopically due to the size of the cysts & fibroids, you know when I first wrote on here I was so worried, but having had virtually a month of bleeding & pain, it's almost a relief to know there is a end in sight . & my worrying about my partners reaction.... he's been so good, he came with me today,& has promised that he won't feel any differently, he just wants me well again