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Table of Contents
When Can You Have Sex?
Easing Into Intimacy
Infection Risk
Other Reasons Sex Hurts
The timeline for returning to sex and intimacy after endometrial ablation is generally between two and four weeks. However, it varies based on the surgeon’s instructions and your physical and emotional health.
Endometrialablationis a type of outpatient procedure during which the lining of the uterus is burned. The surgeon performing the procedure will advise you to avoid penetration (whether from sex or period products) for at least two weeks following the process (or until your follow-up appointment) to allow for internal healing and recovery.
In this article, learn more about recovery, sex, and libido after endometrial ablation.
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After Endometrial Ablation, When Can You Have Sex?
Penetrative sex is typically not advisable for at least two weeks after endometrial ablation. This gives the cervix time to heal and prevent pain, infection, and complications.However, some hospitals and surgeons advise waiting up to three or four weeks.
Work with the surgeon performing your procedure to determine the length of time for which you should avoid penetrative sex. It may differ based on personal factors, so discuss this at your preoperative appointment.
Definition of IntimacyThough there is some overlap betweenintimacyand sex, they are not the same thing. Intimacy refers to a feeling of closeness between people. Intimacy has multiple dimensions, including emotional, physical, intellectual, experiential, and spiritual.
Definition of Intimacy
Though there is some overlap betweenintimacyand sex, they are not the same thing. Intimacy refers to a feeling of closeness between people. Intimacy has multiple dimensions, including emotional, physical, intellectual, experiential, and spiritual.
When Can You Have Sex After Surgery?
Easing Into Intimacy After Endometrial Ablation
Even after your surgeon gives you the go-ahead for intimacy after endometrial ablation, you may still have concerns or hesitations. This is perfectly normal. Endometrial ablation is an invasive procedure, and it is natural to feel physical and psychological discomfort in the days and weeks that follow it.
Outercourse Sexual Activity Overview
Dealing With Pressure From a PartnerSome people might feel pressure from their partners to “heal more quickly” and return to penetrative sex before they are physically or emotionally ready. Do your best to communicate your worries, concerns, and feelings with your partner, and explain the nature of the procedure. Ultimately, it is not OK for someone to pressure you into physical intimacy when you do not consent to it.
Dealing With Pressure From a Partner
Some people might feel pressure from their partners to “heal more quickly” and return to penetrative sex before they are physically or emotionally ready. Do your best to communicate your worries, concerns, and feelings with your partner, and explain the nature of the procedure. Ultimately, it is not OK for someone to pressure you into physical intimacy when you do not consent to it.
Infection Risk After Endometrial Ablation
Other post-operative recommendations for limiting infection include:
Signs that you may have an infection or another serious complication and should immediately seek medical assistance include:
Recovery After Surgery
Other Reasons Sex Could Hurt After Endometrial Ablation
If sex hurts after endometrial ablation, this could be due to other reasons beyond your surgery. Possible explanations include:
There is some research to indicate that pelvic pain can occur in up to 20% of people after endometrial ablation, and most commonly among those who had previous painful periods, endometriosis, are younger than 40 years old, use tobacco, or had a prior tubal ligation.
Speak with a healthcare provider if you havepainful sexor pelvic pain after your endometrial ablation procedure because it is not normal.
What You Need to Know About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Like other types of outpatient surgeries, you should expect a post-operative follow-up appointment with your surgeon or primary healthcare provider.
During this follow-up, you may take a physical examination, answer questions about recovery and any ongoing side effects or symptoms, and possibly take urine or blood tests. This appointment is also the time to ask questions or express concerns relating to intimacy or penetration after endometrial ablation.
Summary
Returning to intimacy and sex after endometrial ablation differs for everyone and depends on the healing process and emotional health. To prevent infection and promote healing, penetrative sex is typically not advised for at least two weeks following the procedure. Though you should avoid vaginal penetration through sex (or the use of period products), easing into intimacy after endometrial ablation is possible.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Washington Medical Center.After your endometrial ablation.Jose Nodarse, MD.Pre-operative & post-operative instructions.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, et al.the associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076Princeton University.Intimacy.Michigan Medicine.Recovering from your NovaSure endometrial ablation office visit.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.Thomassee MS, Curlin H, Yunker A, Anderson TL.Predicting pelvic pain after endometrial ablation: which preoperative patient characteristics are associated?J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):642-647. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2013.04.006
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Washington Medical Center.After your endometrial ablation.Jose Nodarse, MD.Pre-operative & post-operative instructions.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, et al.the associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076Princeton University.Intimacy.Michigan Medicine.Recovering from your NovaSure endometrial ablation office visit.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.Thomassee MS, Curlin H, Yunker A, Anderson TL.Predicting pelvic pain after endometrial ablation: which preoperative patient characteristics are associated?J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):642-647. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2013.04.006
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Washington Medical Center.After your endometrial ablation.Jose Nodarse, MD.Pre-operative & post-operative instructions.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, et al.the associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076Princeton University.Intimacy.Michigan Medicine.Recovering from your NovaSure endometrial ablation office visit.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.Thomassee MS, Curlin H, Yunker A, Anderson TL.Predicting pelvic pain after endometrial ablation: which preoperative patient characteristics are associated?J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):642-647. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2013.04.006
University of Washington Medical Center.After your endometrial ablation.
Jose Nodarse, MD.Pre-operative & post-operative instructions.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.
van Lankveld J, Jacobs N, Thewissen V, et al.the associations of intimacy and sexuality in daily life: Temporal dynamics and gender effects within romantic relationships.J Soc Pers Relat. 2018;35(4):557-576. doi:10.1177/0265407517743076
Princeton University.Intimacy.
Michigan Medicine.Recovering from your NovaSure endometrial ablation office visit.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.When sex is painful.
Thomassee MS, Curlin H, Yunker A, Anderson TL.Predicting pelvic pain after endometrial ablation: which preoperative patient characteristics are associated?J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):642-647. doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2013.04.006
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