Sex after THR

I hope not to offend anyone, but I'm trying to find out what is considered normal in resuming intercourse post op? I'm just not sure what is right and what is wrong, my oc gives very basic advise to be honest and I can't really ask her anymore, any advice would be appreciated as I'm still fairly young! I'm 5 weeks post op, thanks

I have to chuckle at this thread. Normally when a question is posed, I can come back in a couple hours and read half a dozen responses at least! Why are we all shy about sex??? I'd love to give you exact advice but it would really only apply to MY situation. I don't know what the oc (occupation theripist?) told you but she, too, may be shy. As far as physical limitations, I'd ask the doc. It would be very inconvenient, frustrating and painful to dislocate your hip while in a compromised postion. Unfortunately I don't have first hand experience with this situation since my THR 12 weeks ago, plus the fact that I'm 71 and a widow. Aw, shucks. But I'd guess for me I'd say to insist on a comfortable postion for yourself and don't get rough at 5 weeks! GrannaOnTheFarm

Are you Jackie male or Jackie female?

Hi Jacki K,

Good advice from dianne speak to your doctor or look it up on line, i should think that 5 weeks is well too early.

be careful as you dont want to dislocate your hip and have to have it re done.

There's no right time or wrong time just give yourself some more time to recover.

Good Luck.

Hi jackie

This is a very important topic with not very much information and I have found even the information on the net is wrong and out of date. I am in my late fifties and have no intention of giving up or limiting my sex life!

The first thing to say is that all those sites which give ticks or crosses on various positions are wrong. Without going into too much detail, every position is safe, as long  as you are reasonably careful.

having said that give it time and go with how your body feels. I am now nine months post op and feel very fit due to doing my exercises, going to the gym and walking a lot. It therefore figures that the fitter you are the more likely you are to feel like having sex. My advice is to take it slowly, listen to your body, keep as fit as you can. You can start having sex six weeks post op and build it up from there.

I am so glad you have brought this up Jackie as it was something I haven't even thought to ask about and I'm surprised my old man hasn't either but it's something I will ask about now xx

Info on sex post op is so victorian. At five weeks actual intercourse is going to be dodgy. Unless you can lie comfortably on operated side when spoons position(gently) would be tryable. Missionary with legs bent is going to be painful. What about having fun in other ways? You can be a trailblazer and report back or write the first book on this neglected topic. I think the professionals probably don't know. When I asked my surgeon what it was wise or not to continue with in general terms his reply was," use it but don't abuse it" . In other words, how long is a piece of string? I think that physios are probably the best people to ask on this subject. 

Thank you all for your comments, I am female, and I'm getting nowhere with this anywhere else so I thought, why not ask the people who are in the same boat! We have already tried spooning while laying on my operated side, not very comfortable! I guess the question I really want to ask is can I get on top? I'm not talking earth shattering stuff here, just gently but I don't know if I can adopt this position yet? A trailblazer I don't think I will be just yet but I do appreciate your comments! X

Hi Jackie

Yes you can. But it would wait a bit longer to do this. I am fine with this position now, but I guess it took about three months for me to feel safe. After all, if you can kneel down to look for something on the floor, why can't you kneel for other reasons. As I said before, a lot of the information on the net is out of date. Hip replacements are much safer than they used to be and are being done for younger people. My physio said a lot of the guidelines are being rethought and revised. As someone said earlier, I think a young up to date physio is the best person to ask for advice, but take it for me, with time you can use any position, as long as you are careful.

Thank you so much that was exactly my point about kneeling although I'm quite aware I'm not there yet x

Advice from a THR leaflet on do,s and don,ts says to wait 6 to 8 weeks. Remember to stay on your back.LOL.At 4 and a half weeks we managed by me bending over the edge of the bed. Where there is a will  there is a way. I was glad that I was still in working order after the brutal surgery.

Can't remember where I saw it, but I have seen a leaflet on advisable positions dependent on whether you are the 'patient' or not. I tried to research it before my op. 

When I find it I'll post the link for you on here. I hope it doesn't offend anyone, but life does and must go on post thr. 

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-11/26/hip-sexual-positions/viewgallery/330706

Hi Flossy

Remember that this advice is out of date. I got quite depressed when I read it. As I said before, all positions are ok, providing you listen to your body and are sensible.

 

Didn't realise that it was out of date, but of cour your body is your best guide. 

At 11 weeks I asked my doc if it was okay to get on my hands and knees to stain a small deck I had built. He said "sure, but I may want to wear knee pads and also make provisions for getting back up!" This advice may apply to having sex after THR! GrannaOnTheFarm <(~_~)>

Hi Jackie,

Five week is probably a bit too early but only you know your body.  Pillows placed in various places can help with support.  Probably best to wait a little longer and then find the most comfortable position for you and arrange those pillows!  Good luck.

I made the old man wait the six weeks...then we got inventive!  I was worried that the leg would be pushed and pulled about in the "heat" of it all...but on the side with a leg spacer or legs straight up works well.  Go with whatever is comfortable 

Thanks everyone, I'm probably giving the admin of this site a nightmare! But if I can't ask here where can I? Lol very grateful to you all for your input x

Jackie

gentler sex and judicious placement of pillows to stop you moving into the wrong position will help. on your back is ok if legs no too far apart, i hate ltubg in my operated side as still aore  so spoon the other side using pillows to stop me. even lying on your front is good. All this is has the rider of a gentler than usual approach from yoyr partner with less attacking angles. You may find you get the livemaking improved as a result ad you both have to be tuned into what your body is telling you.

There i knew there was an upside to THR :-)