Hysterectomy Support Group

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial (also called supra-cervical). Although there are conservative alternatives, hysterectomy is performed for uterine fibroids, pelvic pain, pelvic relaxation, heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer.

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Effect on sex of different fibroid treatments?

Spiky
Spiky

I spoke to the Interventional Radiologist about my fibroids, and he told me I can still receive uterine artery embolization. Its appealing because it is not invasive, takes less than an hour, and there is almost no convalescence. However I found mentions on the internet that some women who have undergone this procedure experience loss of sexual sensation as well! (That was most of the reason I was avoiding hysterectomy).


I can still get myomectomy -- I haven't found any (published) instances of loss of sexual sensation associated with this -- but it is invasive and there are risks, including hysterectomy if the procedure doesn't go properly. So I am stuck trying to decide between two options with no sense of the risk I am posing to my sexual health, which is still very important to me.


If anyone here has had UAE or myomectomy, what was your experience of sex afterwards?

MaryContrary
MaryContrary
I had a total hysterectomy and my sex drive went up believe it or not. I did use estrogen patches for the side effects of mood swings and hot flashes but I got wet just as easy and horny too. I quit the patches about 5 years ago and stayed horny for a long time. It is only what is going on with my life now that has cooled things a bit. I can still have clitoral orgasms too. Just as strong as before. My fibroids were too big to keep and so painful.
Spiky
Spiky
Hi Mary - thanks for sharing your experience. I don't expect a loss in libido or arousal since I've never had problems in those areas, although I understand treatments are available if it does happen. Since I won't have anything removed I will still have my ovaries.
What worries me is that I have read many accounts of hysterectomy patients who lost the ability to have "vaginal" or internal orgasms after their procedure and this was very distressing to them. It wasn't until recently that I have been able to have internal vaginal orgasms and I am not ready to give them up. Clitoral orgasms are ok but since that was the only kind I could have for so many years, I prefer the sensation of orgasms inside-the-vagina now. I am worried that my orgasms are a very fragile source of pleasure and I'm afraid to do anything that might interfere with them. I am hoping for a fibroid treatment that has no effect on sex.
fighting4change
fighting4change
You are right to be very concerned, Spiky. Please see my response to your other post. Fibroids shrink after menopause so sometimes it is worth it to just wait it out versus doing a treatment that can leave you with permanent (life long) negative effects. UFE / UAE, hysterectomy and even ablation are associated with negative after effects. Myomectomy is supposed to be a restorative treatment since it removes only the fibroids. But it is major surgery and things can go wrong including an unnecessary hysterectomy. I know of women who were supposed to have a myomectomy but came out of surgery without their uterus for no good reason.

Best wishes to you in deciding how to proceed.
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