Any major surgery done on your partner can have a big effect on your relationship, and uterus removal (hysterectomy) is no exception. Hysterectomy is a sensitive surgery in nature, many males struggle with how to care for and interact with their partners following the hysterectomy surgery. There are many pros and cons of a hysterectomy and it impacts your partner’s mental status too. The best advice for husbands after hysterectomy is to continue treating their partners with love, respect, and care. To avoid any mistrust or major mistakes, follow these guidelines to maintain your relationship with your partner after the uterus removal surgery.
What is a Hysterectomy?
Let’s understand first why a hysterectomy is done. Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure that is to remove the uterus (womb). It’s an important treatment for many serious diseases and conditions and is considered a life-savior surgical procedure in many women. A woman no longer will be able to get pregnant after the operation.
Hysterectomy can be partial, total, or radical hysterectomy depending on which part of the uterus and adjacent organs are removed.
Why Hysterectomy is Done?
The hysterectomy is only recommended if other options of treatment have been unsuccessful. There are many reasons and causes for it but the most common indications for a hysterectomy are listed below.
- Heavy Periods or Vaginal Bleeding
- Fibroids cause heavy bleeding
- Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, if the infection spreads to the entire womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
- Prolapse of the uterus
- Adenomyosis
- Cancers including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the uterus and fallopian tubes
Types of Hysterectomy Surgery
Abdominal Hysterectomy
An abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed through an incision in the lower abdominal wall. It can be a laparoscopic or open abdominal hysterectomy.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
If surgery is done through a laparoscope with a small keyhole incision in the abdomen or vagina to remove the uterus is called a laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Vaginal Hysterectomy
It’s a surgical procedure to remove the uterus through the vagina. The surgeon detaches the uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and upper vagina before removing the uterus.
Also Read: Erectile Dysfunctions and Male Infertility
Pros and Cons of Hysterectomy
There are many advantages and disadvantages of removing the uterus. Your partner may experience some body changes after uterus removal including symptoms of menopause, hot flashes, and weight gain if hormonal changes occur after the hysterectomy. However, there are no rapid aging changes after a hysterectomy.
The hysterectomy is always preferred as a life-saving procedure when no other option for medical management other than surgery.
Pros of Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy prevents the recurrence of fibroids
- It’s the best solution to control heavy uterine bleeding
- Hysterectomy may prevent the further spread of cancer
- It’s the only treatment for cancer of the uterus, fibroid, and prolapse of the uterus
Cons of Hysterectomy
The following are the common problems after a hysterectomy:
- Hysterectomy is a major surgery that can lead to serious complications in a few cases
- Loss of fertility – It eliminates the possibility of pregnancy and having children
- Hysterectomy requires extensive recovery time
- Loss of sexual desire in some women
- Bladder and bowel complications
Symptoms of Internal Infection After Hysterectomy
Around 10% of patients may present with a high fever with chills and rigors, a faster heart rate (Tachycardia), and lower abdomen pain after a hysterectomy. These symptoms may arise days to after a week after the hysterectomy procedure. Infection can occur in the incision, the vagina, the urinary bladder, or inside the abdomen.
pictures of the stomach after hysterectomy
What is the Advice for husbands after hysterectomy
- The best advice for husbands after hysterectomy is, Don’t Let the Hysterectomy decision get in the way of your sexual life.
- A husband should learn about how hysterectomies work., this will help you and your partner to build confidence and trust in both of you. There is a lot of information floating around through different sources, so many husbands get confused. They do have so many doubts about their sex life after a hysterectomy but the reality is that sex life after a hysterectomy remains the same for the man.
- The hysterectomy usually does not affect the vagina itself, and the ovaries are also untouched. In that case, your partner’s hormonal level remains regular and no change in the sexual desire of your partner. You do not need to worry about your sexual life after your partner’s hysterectomy.
- There are very rare cases where it requires to removal of the cervix, upper portion of the vagina, and ovaries mostly in cancer. Which may trigger menopause but it doesn’t mean that you will not enjoy your life.
- You should not let these concerns derail your sex life. You don’t believe, sex after a hysterectomy can help you feel like things are finally getting back to normal in most cases.
- Do affirm your wife’s femininity, this can be the most important advice for husbands after hysterectomy of their partner.
- Don’t rush – It does not mean that you should rush into it as soon as the surgeon gives clearance to your wife.
- Just keep in mind – Your wife has just had major surgery, so vigorous penetrations can feel a little uncomfortable for your wife initially
- Talk to your wife, give her comfort and ask about how she feels, and discuss what works best for her
- Various hormonal changes can affect the natural lubrication and the sex drive of your partner. This does not mean your wife is no longer interested in you but it may take a little longer to get things started.
- Pay attention to the positive effects of the hysterectomy, it may help in treating dangerous diseases, and ease chronic pain. It also ends painful periods and gives peace of mind after the recovery from cancer treatment after a hysterectomy.
- If you will follow the advice for husbands after hysterectomy, you may find that your partner has a lot more energy for life after surgery and you both will enjoy your relationship most.
Where Does Sperm Go After Hysterectomy
After the hysterectomy, the remaining areas of your reproductive tract including fallopian tubes and ovaries are separated from your abdominal cavity and your sperm has nowhere to go. Sperms eventually are expelled from your partner’s body along with vaginal secretions. Moreover, if your partner hasn’t reached menopause, eggs formed in ovaries also dropped into the abdominal cavity and are absorbed there without any harm.
Hysterectomy Divorce Rate
Studies showed that when a female was diagnosed with cancer, the separation and divorce rate was almost 21% whether a hysterectomy was done due to cancer, fibroid, prolapse of the uterus, or any other reason.
