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.
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.
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.
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Yes, the hernia type and location can affect when you can have sex after surgery. Hernias can develop in various places, such as:
Near your belly button (umbilical hernia)
In your groin area (inguinal hernia)
In your upper thigh (femoral hernia)
In your upper stomach (hiatal hernia)
At the site of a previous surgical incision (incisional hernia)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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