h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there

After this operation is it still possible to have sexual intercourse?

Does the clitoris still remain sensitive?

Is there any change in sexual desire/mood etc?

Can anyone please share?


Regards

Leroy.

Hysterectomy is removal of the uterus. That won't affect the clitoris. Sometimes they also have to remove the cervix and parts of the vagina, or the ovaries (depends on why the hysterectomy is being done). Removing the ovaries affects hormones, which can affect sexual desire.

Women report different things in terms of libido and sexual response after hysterectomy - it affects different women in different ways. For some women the womb is part of their sexual experience, so when it's gone that changes.

Unless the vagina is being removed, then yes women who've had a hysterectomy can still have intercourse. Whether the quality of sex is affected varies from woman to woman.

For some women a hysterectomy is a life saving operation or significantly improves quality of life that wouldn't otherwise be possible. But alot of women have had unnecessary hysterectomies. The need or not for the operation isn't always black and white, and some doctors practice more or less conservatively than others. There are also issues in places like the US where insurance and liability affect medical decisions.