How long after surgery can you have sex?

Why can having sex be contraindicated after surgery?

Here are the main reasons why having sex immediately after surgery can be detrimental or painful.

🩸 Risk of bleeding.

After surgery, tissues and blood vessels can be fragile, increasing the risk of bleeding during intense physical activities like sexual intercourse.

🦠 Risk of infection.

Operated areas are often sensitive and can be prone to infections. Sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria into the operated area, increasing the risk of infection, especially if the surgery was near the genital area.

Now, I will focus on the surgeries that patients inquire about the most.

⚡ Pain.

Depending on the type of surgery you had, your movements may be limited. Finding a comfortable position can be difficult.

Let’s look specifically at which surgeries can cause this type of discomfort, and more importantly, how long it takes before you can have sex again.

🔴 Risk of complications.

Depending on the nature of the surgery, complications such as suture tears, dislocations, or hernias can occur if intense physical activity is resumed too soon.

🥱 Fatigue and stress.

Your body needs time to recover. Your energy levels may be limited.

You might also feel anxious about resuming sexual activity or have your mind elsewhere, which are completely understandable situations!

When to have sex after these common surgeries?

The table below lists the surgeries for which people most often wonder about when to resume sexual activity.

I have also included references to scientific studies on the subject, when available (quite often!). At the end of the article, you will find the links to each of them.

Surgery	Time to Resume Sexual Activity	Scientific Publication
Herniated Disc Surgery	After the surgery, some positions may be uncomfortable. It is often necessary to wait a few weeks before feeling comfortable enough. People resume sexual activity on average 26 days after lumbar herniated disc surgery.	Holmberg 2020, Akbas 2010
Hysterectomy	It is often recommended to wait about 6 weeks before resuming sexual activity to allow the uterus to heal completely and reduce the risk of infection. Some women experience less pain during sex compared to before surgery, up to 6 months after surgery.	Till 2022
Heart Surgery	Varies according to the complexity of the surgery, your recovery, and your health condition. For some heart surgeries, no abstinence period is recommended. For others, several weeks are needed to allow the heart to stabilize and recover.	de Marquiegui 1999
Laparoscopy	Usually quickly, right away or a few days after the procedure.	de Marquiegui 1999
Colposcopy	No specific restriction, as long as you feel comfortable and do not have significant bleeding or pain.
Knee Surgery (knee replacement, etc.)	Knee flexion will likely be limited or painful for a month or more. You will be quite uncomfortable during this period for sexual activity. People resume sex on average 2.5 months after knee replacement, with a range of 0 to 18 months.	Kazarian 2017
Hip Replacement	Sexual activity can be resumed once the incision has healed, after a few weeks. Limited hip movements may complicate sexual activity initially, but no movement is strictly prohibited with a hip replacement.	de Marquiegui 1999
Umbilical Hernia Surgery	Resuming sexual activity is usually recommended after about 4 to 6 weeks to allow the operated area to heal and reduce the risk of complications, as the abdominal area is involved during sex.
Uterine Fibroid Surgery	The recommended waiting period before resuming sexual activity can vary depending on the size and location of the fibroid, but generally a few weeks to a few months may be needed to allow the uterus to heal.
Appendectomy	It is recommended to wait about 2 to 4 weeks before resuming sexual activity to allow the operated area to heal and reduce the risk of complications.
Inguinal Hernia Surgery	Recommended to wait about 4 to 6 weeks before resuming sexual activity to allow the operated area to heal and reduce the risk of complications, as the abdominal area is involved during sex. Sexual activity generally improves after surgery as pain and swelling are reduced.	Cantay 2022
Prostate Surgery (prostatectomy)	Recovering sexual function (erection, ejaculation) after prostate surgery can take a few weeks to several years.	Manfredi 2022
Cyst Surgery	Depends on the size and location of the cyst, but generally a few days to a few weeks are needed to allow the operated area to heal.
Varicocele Surgery	Recommended to wait about 2 to 4 weeks before resuming sexual activity to allow the operated area to heal and reduce the risk of complications.
Cesarean Section	It is generally recommended to wait about 6 weeks after a cesarean section before resuming sexual activity to allow the uterus to heal and reduce the risk of infection.
Biopsy	No restriction usually.
Mastectomy	You will probably be uncomfortable for several weeks.	Tarkowska 2020
Laparoscopy	In most cases, sexual activity can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable, often a few days to a few weeks after the surgery.	de Marquiegui 1999
Curettage	It is generally recommended to wait about 1 to 2 weeks before resuming sexual activity after a curettage to allow the uterus to heal and reduce the risk of infection.

Is Your Surgery Not Listed Here? Or Are You Unsure if These Guidelines Apply to You?

Let’s now look at how to determine whether you can resume sexual activity after your surgery in YOUR specific case.

How to Determine If You Can Have Sex After Your Surgery?

First, know that if your doctor or surgeon has not discussed sexual activity with you (even if you didn’t bring it up), it’s likely because there are no major contraindications for resuming sexual activity.

If you have any doubts, you should discuss them with your primary care physician, your surgeon, your physical therapist, midwife, gynecologist, or any other healthcare professional you feel comfortable talking to about this topic.

As healthcare providers, we are typically trained to handle such questions professionally and provide you with the best possible advice.

Even though I understand that bringing up this topic can be uncomfortable!

What Precautions Should You Take Before Resuming Sexual Activity After Surgery?

Regardless of the type of surgery you had, here are some precautions you might consider taking before resuming sexual activity, at least for a few days:

✅ Find Comfortable Positions

Depending on the area that was operated on, some positions may be more comfortable than others.

✅ Avoid Friction or Pressure on Scars

If you have a scar, avoid friction or pressure on it. This could be painful or delay the healing process.

✅ Communicate with Your Partner

Don’t hesitate to let your partner know if you’re in pain or if you wish to stop.

✅ Delay if You Experience Pain or Discomfort

If you experience pain during or in the hours following intercourse, consider waiting a few more days or weeks before trying again.

Can You Have Sex BEFORE a Surgery?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases, you can have sex in the days leading up to a surgery.

Here are the rare situations where it might be complicated or contraindicated:

• You experience significant pain during intercourse.
• You have a serious infection or a health condition that increases the risk of infection.
• You have a serious cardiac or respiratory condition that temporarily contraindicates intense physical exertion.

💡 In the latter two cases, it’s best to consult with a trusted healthcare professional—such as your primary care physician, a specialist, midwife, or physical therapist—as the contraindication might not be absolute.