provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
HomeHealth TopicSexual Health

How Long After Hernia Surgery Can You Have Sex?

Maggie Aime, MSN, RNMandy Armitage, MD
Written by Maggie Aime, MSN, RN | Reviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD
Published on November 19, 2024

Key takeaways:

  • Most people can have sex 1 to 2 weeks after hernia surgery, depending on the type of procedure and how well they’re healing. 

  • Having sex too soon can cause pain, strain on your incision, or lead to a hernia recurrence.

  • Hernia surgery rarely affects sexual function long-term. In fact, many people experience an improvement in sexual health after recovery.

Patient at a medical checkup and wearing a hospital gown.
SrdjanPav/E+ via Getty Images

It turns out that the painful bulge in your groin is a hernia, and now it’s time to get it repaired. A hernia happens when part of your intestines or other abdominal organs push through a weak spot in your muscles. 

Naturally, you might have plenty of questions about recovery. How long is the procedure? When can you get back to your normal activities? And, let’s be honest — you might be wondering how soon after hernia surgery you can have sex. While you’ll need a little time to heal, you'll likely be back to your normal routine, including sex, sooner than you think.

When is it safe to have sex after hernia surgery?

You might have to wait 1 to 2 weeks after hernia surgery to have sex, Paul Gittens, MD, a board-certified urologist and sexual medicine physician, told GoodRx Health. This waiting period helps make sure you don't have any pain, bruising, or signs of infection, he added. 

"We always tell patients to take it easy after hernia surgery. Don’t lift any objects over 10 lbs for several weeks," Gittens noted. You might feel sore and have some swelling for a few days after the surgery. Plus, anesthesia from the procedure may leave you feeling tired, so you might not feel like sex for several days.

Ultimately, the exact timing depends on a few things, including the type of surgery and your healing progress. You may recover more quickly from a laparoscopic hernia surgery, which uses small incisions and a camera. But healing from an open procedure with a larger incision might take longer.

Everyone recovers at a different pace. Some people might feel ready to have sexual intercourse after a week or two, while others may need more time. A good rule of thumb is to talk to your surgeon to determine when it’s safe to resume sex after hernia surgery. In some cases, you might have to wait until your follow-up visit to get the green light based on your recovery progress. 

GoodRx icon

Does the type of hernia or location affect when you have sex?

Yes, the hernia type and location can affect when you can have sex after surgery. Hernias can develop in various places, such as:

But inguinal and umbilical hernias are the most common, Gittens noted. After surgery for either type, you may experience discomfort. 

With inguinal hernias, which are more common in men, you might have some bruising in the groin area after surgery. Some people might also have swelling or bruising of their scrotum or penis in the first few days. You might need to wait a little longer before sex feels comfortable again after inguinal hernia surgery.

Umbilical hernias, on the other hand, are more frequent in women. After surgery, you might feel discomfort or tightness around your belly button, Gittens said. Since you tend to use your belly muscles during sex, you may need to give yourself extra time to heal.

Regardless of where your hernia is located, it’s a good idea to wait until you’re comfortable and pain-free before being physically active, including having sex, Gittens advised. Listen to your body, and talk to your surgeon if you’re unsure.

What are the risks of having sex too soon after hernia surgery?

The risks are generally low, according to Gittens. But having sex too soon after hernia surgery can cause issues like:

  • Increased pain: The surgical site might still be tender after surgery. Engaging in sexual activity before you’re fully healed could cause or worsen pain, or be uncomfortable.

  • Mesh complications: Surgeons often use a small, flexible, net-like material called mesh to reinforce the weak spot where the hernia occurred. In rare cases, if mesh was used in your hernia repair, very vigorous sexual activity might dislodge it, Gittens said. 

  • Incision reopening: Sex involves physical movement and muscle contractions, especially during orgasm, which could strain your incision. If your incision reopens, it could delay your recovery or lead to infection. This is more of a concern for umbilical (belly button) hernias than for groin hernias, Gittens added.

  • Hernia recurrence: Although rare, there’s a small chance your hernia could return. This can happen if you have vigorous sex right after a hernia repair, said Gittens.

Will sex hurt after hernia surgery?

Sex might hurt, especially in the early days after surgery. Pain and discomfort are often part of the healing process. This is due to your incision, inflammation, and nerve irritation from surgery. Moving around during sex may cause some of that discomfort, said Gittens.

Let your pain be your guide. If specific movements or positions feel okay, you can proceed. But if you experience pain or discomfort at any point, it’s best to change positions or stop and give your body more time to recover.

Try these tips to help make sex more comfortable after hernia surgery:

  • Start slowly. Take things slowly. This way, you can gauge your body’s response and make changes as needed.

  • Choose the right positions. Start with positions that don’t put direct pressure on your surgical site. This helps reduce discomfort and lets you ease into things without straining your incision or surrounding area.

  • Communicate with your partner. Don't suffer in silence. If something hurts, let your partner know. This can help you avoid discomfort. Plus, it might help your partner understand how to best support you.

  • Get creative. If sex is uncomfortable, try mixing things up with other activities, like sensual massages or mutual masturbation. There are plenty of ways to keep things exciting while giving your body enough time to heal. 

Does hernia surgery have any lasting impact on sexual function?

There usually aren’t lasting impacts on sexual function after a hernia surgery, according to Gittens. But if a nerve is damaged during inguinal hernia surgery, it could lead to numbness in your groin or scrotum. Fortunately, this is rare.

Some studies suggest that hernia surgery may even improve sexual function. In a small study, researchers gave men a questionnaire before inguinal hernia repair to assess:

  • Erectile function

  • Sexual desire

  • Overall satisfaction with their sex life

The researchers followed up with the same questionnaire 1 and 6 months after surgery. They found that most aspects of sexual function improved after surgery. 

Another study of 57 men found similar results. At 1 and 6 months after inguinal hernia surgery, researchers assessed:

  • Erectile function

  • Sexual desire

  • Intercourse function

  • Overall satisfaction

They found that surgery can improve sexual health, especially if pain and swelling from the inguinal hernia were an issue before the procedure.

The bottom line

You can usually have sex 1 to 2 weeks after hernia surgery. But it’s a good idea to check with your surgeon. Your hernia type and location may affect when you’re ready to have sex again, especially if there’s bruising or swelling. Having sex too soon may increase pain or cause complications at your incision site. 

Hernia surgery rarely affects sexual function long-term. The key is to listen to your body and take things slowly when you’re ready to have sex after hernia repair surgery. 

why trust our exports reliability shield

Why trust our experts?

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.
Lauren Savage, MA
Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.
Mandy Armitage, MD
Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MD
Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

References

American Society of Anesthesiologists. (n.d.). Hernia surgery.

Cantay, H., et al. (2022). What is the effect of inguinal hernia operations on sexual functions? Cureus

View All References (10)

Coste, A. H., et al. (2024). Umbilical hernia. StatPearls

Hope, W. W., et al. (2023). Incisional hernia. StatPearls

Horn, R., et al. (2024). Postoperative pain control. StatPearls

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. (2023). Overview: Hernias. InformedHealth.org

John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Inguinal hernia

MedlinePlus. (2017). Hernia

MedlinePlus. (2022). Femoral hernia

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Inguinal hernia

See, C. W., et al. (2020). Hernia mesh and hernia repair: A review. Engineered Regeneration

Sönmez, M. G., et al. (2016). Does inguinal hernia repair have an effect on sexual functions? Central European Journal of Urology.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Was this page helpful?

Subscribe and save.

Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.