You might be surprised to learn that one of the most common questions asked by our recovering hip and knee surgery patients is ‘How long after surgery can I have sex?’ To answer the question, and spare some blushes from shy patients, Practice Plus Group has launched a new intimacy guide catering to those recovering from surgery.
After joint surgery, one of the most common questions we’re asked is ‘When can I have sex?’ The answer will vary from patient-to-patient, although your physiotherapist or consultant will let you know when it’s okay. Our intimacy guide offers reassurance as to which sexual positions are suitable after hip or knee surgery.
Sex and intimacy guide – Practice Plus Group
Download our post-surgery sex and intimacy guide
Our downloadable guide, talked about by Dr Hilary Jones on ITV’s Lorraine show, features eight ‘lower-impact’ and ‘joint-friendly’ positions to ensure that recovering joints are protected as much as possible during any sexual activity. With illustrations and helpful tips, our guide offers practical advice for patients who are ready to resume lovemaking after surgery.
The guide provides recommendations for the best positions to try after each type of surgery. For example, ‘spooning’ face-to-face is fine after hip or knee surgery, though straddling a partner-on-top is ‘not advised’.
One of the most accessible moves for recovering joint patients is trying a seated position where couples can use pillows around the new joint for added comfort.
The reason it’s so important we reduce waiting lists for joint replacements is so people can get back to leading fulfilling lives free of pain and getting back to the activities they love: walking, playing with grandchildren, golf, and having sex.”
Catherine Farr, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
Catherine Farr, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, says: “It’s one of the most frequently asked questions.
“Of course, we’re very happy to answer anything, but we felt there were likely many other people who are too embarrassed to ask about sex, and that an easy-to-follow guide would really help everyone in this situation.”
The guide has been put together by our team of hip consultants and knee experts who say it’s essential to minimise risk to the new joint in the first few weeks and months after surgery and to only start having sex again post-surgery after getting the ‘all-clear’ from their hospital.
Recent research from Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group found that 1 in 10 Brits expect to have a healthy sex life in their 60s and beyond.
Catherine Farr, hospital director at Practice Plus Group adds: “The reason it’s so important we reduce waiting lists for joint replacements – which have been particularly badly affected by long waits – is so that people can get back to leading fulfilling lives free of pain.
“We felt there were likely many people too embarrassed to ask about sex, and that an easy-to-follow guide would really help everyone in this situation.”
Catherine Farr, Hospital Director at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet
“And they can get back to the activities they love: be that walking, playing with grandchildren, playing golf and yes, having sex.”
The guide is available for patients to download and draws on best practice from orthopaedic experts with example images to ensure patients can feel confident having sex again after surgery.
How long after surgery can you have sex?
This will depend on the type of surgery you’ve had and when you get the green light from your consultant or physio. For example, cataract patients won’t have to wait too long – between 7-10 days – whereas hip replacement patients will need to give it a while to make sure they’re fully healed.
It’s also important that you feel ready in yourself before having sex again. Ensuring you feel comfortable with the physical exertion of sex will make the experience that much more enjoyable. Make sure you’ve given yourself enough time to heal, at least initially.
Guide to sex after different types of surgery
Regardless of the type of surgery our patients have, one of the most common questions our consultants and nursing teams are asked is: when can I have sex again after surgery?
The sections below explore timeframes and expectations around having sex again after different types of surgery.
Sex after hip surgery
Sex after hip replacement surgery should ideally wait until the incision wound has healed. It generally takes a long time to recover from hip replacement surgery, and patients will need to restrict their movement. With this in mind, vigorous exertion in the days and weeks following their surgery should be avoided. Typically, hip replacement patients can have sex again around six weeks after their operation.
Sex after knee surgery
As with hip replacement patients, those that have had knee surgery will need to protect their affected joint for a good few weeks following their operation. The good news is knee surgery patients don’t have to wait until they’re fully recovered from knee replacement surgery to have sex again. They should, however, wait until they feel comfortable and ready. This is typically around 4-6 weeks after the surgery.
Sex after cataract surgery
The good news for cataract surgery patients is they won’t have to wait as long as hip or knee surgery patients. Cataract patients should wait 7-10 days before having sex after a cataract operation.
Sex after hernia surgery
Depending on the type of surgery, patients should be prepared to wait for a couple of weeks to have sex after a hernia operation. Recovery time from hernia surgery varies from patient-to-patient and consultants may advise against an immediate return to sexual activity depending on the patient’s age and general health, the type of hernia repair carried out, and whether there were any surgery complications.
Men that have had inguinal hernia repair surgery may experience some bruising and swelling of the scrotum in the days following their operation. While the risk of injury to the testicles is very low, due to the discomfort in the first few days, sex may be low on the agenda.
Tips for having safe post-surgery sex
First of all, make sure you feel ready. While pain or discomfort is normal, don’t be pressured into resuming sexual activity if the thought makes you feel physically or mentally uncomfortable. Cushions and pillows can come in useful for some extra support and comfort, so make sure you have plenty to-hand.
In the weeks following your procedure, it may be a good idea to start with oral sex and masturbation on the road to resuming full sexual activity. These are a good way of finding out how comfortable you might be when it comes to resuming sexual activity with a partner.
Ask the experts – sex after surgery FAQs
How long after knee surgery can you have sex?
Knee surgery patients can usually have sex again 4-6 weeks after their operation.
How long after hernia surgery can you have sex?
Hernia repair surgery patients can typically have sex again around a week after their operation. This may vary depending on the type of repair they had.
How long after cataract surgery can you have sex?
Cataract surgery patients can typically expect to have sex again 7-10 days after their procedure.
How long after bariatric surgery can you have sex?
Usually around 3-4 weeks after surgery. Women are advised not to fall pregnant for 18 months after their operation due the risk of malnutrition for the baby.
How long after laparoscopic surgery can I have sex?
Women should avoid having sex for around a month following a gynaecological laparoscopic procedure.
Can we have sex after gallbladder surgery?
Gallbladder surgery patients can resume sexual activities as soon as they feel comfortable and ready.
What is the best position for sex after knee replacement surgery?
According to our illustrated Sex positions after hip and knee surgery guide, the best positions to try after knee surgery are face-to-face, seated, and spooning. However, what works for some may not work for others, so some trial and error may be needed.
What are safe sex positions after hip replacement surgery?
According to our illustrated Sex positions after hip and knee surgery guide, the best positions to try after hip surgery are spooning and seated. Other positions may work depending on where you position yourself. Bear in mind that works for some may not work for others, so some trial and error may be needed.
Will I have a low sex drive after surgery?
Patients that have had invasive surgery with general anaesthetic may have a lower sex drive, especially in the first few days and weeks. This will likely be due to discomfort at the incision site and the aftereffects of the anaesthesia.
Is it okay to masturbate after surgery?
For the majority of patients – yes. In fact, masturbation is a good way of exploring how comfortable you might be resuming sexual activity with a partner.
Please note, laparoscopy patients should avoid masturbation for a couple of weeks after the procedure.
Will we need to take any special measures?
Yes, for most procedures. What those measures are will depend on the type of surgery you had. Our sex guide is available to download and provides a load of useful information on the different sex positions to try following hip or knee surgery.
