Sex after surgery: how to safely resume sexual activity
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Having surgery can be a busy time. Consultations, preparation, and expectations around recovery can all take up a lot of your time and attention as the day approaches. So, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most common questions we get from our patients is around having sex after surgery.
How long should they leave it? Will it be painful? Will I damage my new joint? This page tackles all the above questions and looks at how to safely return to sexual activity following a range of different surgeries.
After surgery, it’s important to wait until incision sites have healed. This is usually between two–six weeks depending on the procedure. Sexual activity should be resumed gradually, using supportive positions to avoid strain or pain.
Returning to sex can support physical healing, emotional wellbeing, confidence, and relationships. Always follow your consultant’s advice and prioritise comfort and safety during recovery.
Understanding recovery and resuming sexual activity after surgery
As with lots of different activities during recovery from surgery, you shouldn’t rush into immediately having sex again. Depending on the type of procedure you had, you might be experiencing some post-surgery pain and discomfort, so it’s best not to put too much strain on yourself too early.
The information below offers some tips around how to resume sexual activity safely, and highlights some general precautions you may want to take.
Tips for having safe post-surgery sex
If your surgery involved an incision being made, it’s a good idea to wait until this has healed. Depending on factors like the patient’s age, the type of procedure, and the size of the incision, healing time may vary but is typically around four-six weeks.
If you’ve had orthopaedic surgery, you may find that using pillows or rolled up towels to support the affected area is helpful. Remember to avoid any sudden movements and communicate with your partner. Any position that causes pain or discomfort should be stopped immediately.
General precautions before resuming sex
As mentioned above, you should wait until the incision site(s) have fully healed before resuming sexual activity. A good general rule is to wait until your first post-op check-up appointment. During this session, your consultant will check on how well you’re healing and will recommend whether or not you’re ready to resume sexual activity.
Depending on the type of procedure you’ve had, it might be a good idea to use positions that support or protect the affected area. For example, if you’ve had knee surgery, lying on your side or on the edge of the bed may help to reduce the strain on the affected joint.
Why sexual activity after surgery matters
The following are all reasons that point to the of importance of sex after surgery:
The benefits on physical and mental wellbeing – the benefits of sex are well-known and they don’t stop at increased levels of endorphins. According to a study from 2003, sex is considered a critical factor when it comes to wound healing. The study showed that sex after surgery improves healing rates, particularly in women.1
Reducing anxiety and boosting confidence – for some patients, surgery can have a negative impact on the way they see themselves. Resuming sexual activity can boost confidence, while reducing anxiety around physical imperfections and possible scarring.
Return to a normal life – Alongside getting back behind the wheel and returning to work, resuming sexual activity can be an important milestone in post-surgical recovery, not to mention feeling like you’re returning to your old self.
Strengthening of relationships – reconnecting with your partner on a physical level is important for emotional recovery and your relationship.
Guide to sex after different types of surgery
From the safest positions to recovery timelines, the sections below drill down into what you can expect from resuming sexual activity after some of the main procedures offered by Practice Plus Group.
Knee surgery
Depending on the specific procedure, knee surgery is generally considered to be a major operation, especially if you’ve had a knee replacement, revision, or ACL repair. As with any surgery, it’s important to give yourself enough time to heal. Knee surgery patients typically report being able to walk again (with the aid of crutches) between four and six weeks after their operation.
Typical recovery timeline after knee surgery
Before we get into sex after knee surgery, let’s first look at the expected recovery timeline. In the first few days, you’ll be able to return home and manage discomfort with painkillers provided by your Practice Plus Group medical team. You’ll be encouraged to get back on your feet as soon as possible, standing and walking with the help of crutches.
Within six weeks your physio classes will start and your pain should decrease. Range of movement will likely grow and any swelling should go down. Those with desk-based jobs will likely be able to return to work within this timeframe.
By three months post-surgery, most patients will experience significant improvements in their movement and mobility. Crutches may no longer be needed to get around and activities such as swimming and cycling will likely be encouraged by your consultant.
Before you resume sexual activity, it’s important to take extra care to get into and out of each position. Rolled up towels and pillows can be really useful to help you do this, as well as provide support to the affected area.
Among the safest positions to try after knee surgery are:
This depends on the type of knee surgery you’ve had but patients typically resume sexual activity between four-six weeks after their operation.
Can sexual activity damage my knee replacement?
Yes, if you’re not careful. You need to make sure your incision site(s) are fully healed and use safe positions. Be careful not to overexert yourself and if you experience any pain, you should stop straightaway.
While hip surgery is a major procedure, there’s no reason you can’t include sexual activity into a healthy recovery plan. As with any surgery, it’s important to wait until your incision wound(s) have fully healed before you resume having sex.
Healing timeline after hip replacement
Before we talk specifically about sex after hip surgery, let’s focus on what to expect more generally from the recovery process.
The days following your hip surgery will typically be spent in hospital and focus on gentle mobilisation. This is to reduce the risk of post-surgery complications like blood clots. Once you return home (usually after a few days), your physio sessions will begin. These sessions are designed to improve your range of motion, help regain strength, and encourage regular movement.
Between six and twelve weeks post-surgery, you should be able to resume light activities and even return to work if your job is desk-based. Any swelling should have significantly reduced, while mobility increases.
Safe sexual positions for hip surgery patients
Before we look at specific positions, there are a few things to consider to help protect your hip. Be careful not to bend the hip past 90 degrees and avoid twisting. Doing these will put stress on the affected area and, if you’ve had a hip replacement, could result in dislocation.
As with patients that have had knee surgery, it’s important to take extra care to get into and out of each position. Using pillows and rolled up towels can be useful to help support you as you do this.
Among the safest positions to try after hip surgery are:
Hip replacement patients typically resume sexual activity between four and six weeks after the procedure. This gives enough time for the incision wounds to heal.
Will sexual activity harm my hip replacement?
Possibly if not done safely. The recommended positions for hip replacement patients can be found in our Intimacy during recovery guide.
Are there recommended positions for comfort and safety?
Most ophthalmologists recommend waiting up to two weeks before resuming sex after cataract surgery. This is to ensure the affected eye has had enough time to heal.
Tips for resuming sexual activity safely
Patients will need to avoid any activities and intimate positions that could potentially cause increased eye pressure. As with resuming sexual activities following other types of surgery, patients need to listen to their bodies and stop immediately if there’s any pain or discomfort.
When to consult your ophthalmologist
You should consult your ophthalmologist in the event of any discomfort during or after sexual activity.
Can I have sex immediately after cataract surgery?
Most doctors recommend waiting up to two weeks before resuming sexual activity after cataract surgery.
Will sexual activity affect eye healing?
Strenuous activity can increase eye pressure which may interfere with or delay healing from cataract surgery. Be careful when touching your eyes or administering drops as sexual activity can increase the risk of contamination or infection.
How long until I’m fully healed?
In general, cataract patients can expect to be fully healed after six weeks.
Information about sex after hernia surgery and general expectations around recovery can be found in the sections below.
Recovery timeline after hernia repair
90% of hernia surgeries are day-case, which means the vast majority of patients are able to go home on the day of their surgery. Once home, patients will be able to manage any post-surgery discomfort with medication provided. Mobility will be limited but gentle movement should be the focus to prevent stiffness and improve blood circulation.
Most hernia patients will be able to return to light activities around a fortnight after surgery. In the two-four-week period following hernia repair, discomfort should subside as the incision site heals. Depending on the type and location of the hernia, patients may be able to drive again between two-four weeks post-surgery, provided they can perform an emergency stop without pain.
A word from our hernia specialist, Erika Birgiolaite:
“For most non-pelvic operations, once you are comfortable, mobile, no longer heavily sedated and your wounds are closed and dry, non-penetrative sex – including oral sex – is usually a reasonable early return to intimacy. It avoids direct friction over incisions and allows desire to re-enter the room without demanding that your abdominal wall prove its heroism.”
Hernia repair patients can typically expect to resume sexual activity one-two weeks after their surgery – depending on the type of procedure they had. For example, patients that had laparoscopic surgery may be able to resume having sex sooner than patients that had open hernia repair surgery. This is due to the smaller incisions made for the laparoscopic procedure.
In terms of resuming sexual activity after hernia repair surgery, remember to listen to your body. Starting with gentle movements is a good idea and If you feel pain you should stop immediately. Pillows or rolled up towels can provide support for your abdomen while positions that avoid putting pressure on the affected area should be prioritised. Oral sex can be a good option to explore – particularly in the early days – as it avoids impacting the affected area.
Consult your doctor if symptoms persist
Studies examining outcomes after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair report pain during sexual activity in around 10% of respondents, with smaller percentages describing ejaculatory pain. While in the majority of cases, early discomfort will settle down, if you’re experiencing persistent pain or worsening symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Our hernia specialist, Erika says:
“Side-lying positions often reduce core demand. Being supported rather than supporting your partner may decrease strain. Generous use of pillows is not a sign of fragility. It is strategic.”
This depends on the location of the hernia and the type of surgery you had. Patients that had a laparoscopic procedure may be able to resume sexual activity sooner than open repair patients due to the smaller incisions made. In general though, most hernia repair patients can be intimate again one-two weeks after surgery.
Could sex strain the hernia repair site?
Yes, if you’re trying to do positions that put pressure on or rub against the incision site(s). Try to find positions that don’t put pressure on the affected area. Oral sex is also a good option to explore when initially resuming sexual activity.
How to manage pain during post-surgery sexual activity?
Explore different positions, take pain medication, use pillows for support, and try oral sex while building up to full intimacy.
According to the NHS 111 Wales Gallbladder removal page,2 you can resume sexual activity after gallbladder removal surgery as soon as you feel up to it. The same source does however, warn not to place weight on your incision site wounds until they have fully healed, so face-to-face positions like missionary should initially be avoided.
Recovery timeline and activity guidelines
How long it takes to recover from gallbladder removal surgery depends on whether you had open or laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic patients will usually be able to return to work (if it’s a desk-based job) after around a fortnight while open surgery patients can expect a longer recovery time. It may take open surgery patients up to a month before they can return to normal activities.
Our gallbladder removal specialist, Erika says:
“If your surgery was abdominal wall repair, gallbladder removal, ovarian cyst removal or a groin hernia repair, the primary issues are different. Here we think about scar tenderness, core loading, nerve irritation, fatigue, and the subtle alarm systems of the nervous system.”
As with the advice for knee, hip, and cataract surgery patients engaging in sexual activity after surgery, the advice for gallbladder removal patients is as follows:
Use pillows or rolled up towels to support affected area and help move carefully between positions
Start with gentle movements and avoid exerting yourself too much
Clear communication with your partner can help avoid discomfort and pain
Stop immediately if you feel discomfort or persistent pain.
When to speak to your surgeon
You should seek medical advice urgently if:
You develop a fever
Your wound becomes increasingly red and irritated
You have excessive discharge from the wound
You experience heavy bleeding
You have worsening deep pelvic pain
You experience a new bulge after hernia repair or sudden severe pain during sex that does not settle.
How soon after gallbladder removal can I have sex?
As soon as you feel you’re ready but try to avoid face-to-face positions that put pressure on your incision sites.
Can sexual activity harm the surgical site?
Yes, particularly if you apply too much pressure to the affected areas. Avoid straining yourself and find a position that’s comfortable without putting pressure on the incision sites.
How do I know when I’m fully healed?
If you had open gallbladder removal surgery, you’ll usually be fully healed after around two months. Laparoscopic surgery patients can expect to be fully healed after around a month.
As laparoscopic procedures cover a wide range of different treatments, it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact time patients can resume sexual activity. For example, patients that have had laparoscopic endometriosis surgery can usually have sex between two-six weeks post-surgery. Meanwhile, hernia repair patients that have had their surgery via a laparoscopy may be able to resume sexual activity after a fortnight.
Our laparoscopy expert, Erika says:
“Studies examining outcomes after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair report pain during sexual activity in around 10 per cent of respondents, with smaller percentages describing ejaculatory pain. Most early discomfort settles. Persistent pain or worsening symptoms merit review.”
The recovery time and return to everyday activities following laparoscopic surgery is often reported to be faster than open surgery. Depending on the specific area of the body that was treated, laparoscopic patients can often return to work within one to three weeks of the procedure. Recovery time will also depend on the type of procedure carried out. Diagnostic or investigative laparoscopy generally offers shorter recovery times compared to laparoscopic surgery.
How soon can I resume sexual activity after a laparoscopy?
This depends on the type of laparoscopic procedure that’s been carried out. Investigative or diagnostic laparoscopic procedures often offer shorter recovery times compared to open surgery but aren’t always the most suitable option. Your consultant will be able to provide more details.
Will sexual activity affect the healing of my laparoscopic incisions?
Yes, especially if you and your partner are doing face-to-face positions like missionary. These can put pressure on abdominal incisions and affect the healing process.
Are there any positions or precautions to reduce pain post-laparoscopy?
Avoid face-to-face positions like missionary. Try positions like spooning or on the edge of the bed to minimise the pressure on incision wounds.
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Not yet found the information you’re looking for? Perhaps our dedicated FAQs can help!
Is it normal to worry about sex after surgery?
It’s entirely normal to worry about sex after surgery. After all, your body has undergone a major procedure and you may feel self-conscious about the way you look. It’s important to remember that sex can be an important part of the recovery process – both physically and emotionally.
How do I know if my body is ready for sexual activity?
You should wait until your incision wound(s) are fully healed. Another indication is pain. If you feel pain during sexual activity, you should stop immediately.
How long should you wait before having sex again?
This depends on the type of surgery you’ve had. If you’re not sure about when to resume sexual activity, please ask your consultant.
Is sex good for healing after surgery?
Yes, provided it’s done safely and without putting pressure on the affected areas, sex can be very beneficial to the recovery process.
What are safe sex positions after surgery?
This depends on the type of surgery you’ve had. For example, if you’ve had abdominal surgery (e.g. for a hernia), you should avoid face-to-face positions. Our Intimacy during recovery guide offers advice with regards to the safest positions to try after hip or knee surgery.
Can surgery affect libido or sex drive?
Yes. It’s entirely normal for your sex drive to be affected following surgery. Patients can feel self-conscious about their bodies and the way they see themselves. Resuming sexual activity can boost confidence, while reducing anxiety around physical imperfections and possible scarring.
When should I consult my doctor about sexual activity after surgery?
If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to resume sexual activity, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. He or she will be able to recommend the best course of action.
James Wood, Content Specialist
This article was co-written by Content Specialist, James Wood. Our Content Specialist, James, has been writing articles and blogs for Practice Plus Group since 2022. He has more than a decade of experience as a copywriter within a range of different backgrounds and works closely with medical professionals to deliver information that's easy-to-read and patient-focused. When he's not writing medical pieces, James is busy playing sports or pub quizzing.
