Let's Talk About Fibroids And Sex

Thursday, May 5th, 2022

Can I Have Sex With Fibroids

If you’re experiencing the debilitating effects of uterine fibroids, including painful sex and low libido, we want you to know that you can still have a healthy sex life and relationship. Although many women with fibroids deal with undesirable symptoms that affect things in the bedroom, there’s help available. Along with openly talking to your partner about what’s going on, we recommend looking into fibroid treatment options. You might be surprised to learn that a low-risk, non-surgical outpatient procedure called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) can help alleviate your symptoms and quickly get you back to enjoying a fulfilling sex life.

Does Fibroids and Sex Affect My Partner?

Just like with any other aspect of dating, marriage, and sex, communication can help you navigate a relationship. It’s not always easy to open up about a sensitive issue when you have fibroids. You may feel nervous talking about the situation, self-conscious about your body, or worried about your relationship. Many women report that their loss of libido from fibroids caused strain on their relationships, even when their partner was supportive.

Remember these tips when you’re talking to your partner about uterine fibroids and sex:

Establish your needs
Learn about fibroids and explain them to your partner
Practice open communication during sex
Don’t get frustrated
Listen to your partner
Do your research

Pain with Fibroids During Sex

Fibroids can cause pain during sex, with the most significant issues related to fibroids located near the cervix. If you experience pain during sexual intercourse, you should seek a diagnosis from your doctor. Pain during and after sex can be resolved with the right treatment.

Take the symptoms quiz if you think you may have fibroids

Heavy Bleeding After Sex

Uterine fibroids can cause heavy bleeding between periods, and even after sex. If you notice spotting or bleeding after having sex, you may want to be checked out by your doctor.

Sex During Pregnancy with Fibroids

Most of the time, it is safe to have sex during your pregnancy as long as your doctor has approved it. However, during pregnancy, hormones can cause fibroids to grow, which may increase the risk for pain during sex while you’re pregnant. It’s best to consult your OB/GYN to determine if sex is safe with fibroids during pregnancy.

Other Effects of Sex with Fibroids

Related issues that can impact sex and relationships include:

Sex drive:

If you’re wondering, “Can fibroids affect libido?” the answer is yes. Along with pain during sex and heavy bleeding, a decreased sex drive can also be related to hormones. Most individuals with fibroids have an excessive amount of estrogen in their system, which can cause a loss of libido.

Abnormal periods:

Fibroids can cause heavy, prolonged periods. These periods can last more than 10 days and frequently come with painful cramping. They can also cause irregular bleeding that makes sex uncomfortable or even impossible.

Fatigue:

Other health issues associated with fibroids can also interfere with your sex life. Symptoms such as fatigue, often triggered by anemia, along with nausea and headaches, can reduce the energy needed to have a fulfilling sexual and romantic life.

Frequent Urination:

It probably goes without saying that feeling the urge to urinate frequently can make sex unappealing.

Body Image:

Another problem relating to sex and fibroids is low self-esteem and issues with body image. Fibroids can cause bloating and an enlarged abdomen, which may lead to feeling uncomfortable or unattractive.

In a National Survey conducted by the Journal of Women’s Health, 22% of participants said fibroids negatively affected their feelings of femininity and body image. This ultimately interfered with their intimate relationships. When polled, many pointed out that their disinterest in sex was a painful issue to discuss with their partners.

Treat Fibroids and Have a Healthy Sex Life

Although many believe that hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the only available treatment for uterine fibroids, this simply isn’t true. Our fibroid specialists offer a less painful, non-surgical alternative that can effectively shrink the fibroid tumor(s), improve your symptoms, and preserve the uterus. Our interventional radiologists specialize in Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), a non-surgical treatment for fibroids done by our fibroid specialist.

The interventional radiologists at USA Fibroid Centers are reputable, reliable, and come highly recommended. During a UFE procedure, our fibroid specialists use an advanced ultrasound method called fibroid mapping to locate your fibroids. Treatment takes between 30 to 45 minutes. It’s performed under light sedation, so you feel calm and comfortable the entire time.

What to Expect:

Our experts make a small incision in your upper thigh or wrist.
Embolic material is injected through a tiny catheter into the uterine artery to block blood flow to the fibroids.
Once cut off from blood flow and nutrients, the fibroid(s) will shrink and eventually die.
The injected material remains permanently in the blood vessels at the fibroid site, making it unlikely that the fibroid will regrow in the future.
After UFE, all you’ll need is a small bandage on your incision.

UFE Can Improve Your Fibroids and Sex Drive

According to a French research study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s Annual Scientific Meeting on uterine fibroids and sex, the vast majority of individuals with symptomatic fibroids saw improvements in their sex lives and significant symptom relief a year after Uterine Fibroid Embolization. Nearly 80% of survey participants a year after treatment reported improved sexual function in pain, desire, arousal, and satisfaction.

A major impediment to resolving uterine fibroids and intercourse problems is a simple fact that many are too embarrassed, shy, or hesitant to discuss their fibroids and sex drive, or fibroids and painful intercourse at all. However, there’s no doubt that the sex life can improve after fibroid treatment. On the other hand, fibroids and painful intercourse can become more intense if left untreated. Fibroids can continue to grow, and symptoms often become more difficult to live with.

If your fibroids are getting in the way of a fulfilling sex life, don’t wait any longer to get help. Most major health insurance plans cover UFE, and our specialists are passionate about providing patients with superior care and avoiding unnecessary fibroid surgery. Learn more about Uterine Fibroid Embolization by scheduling an appointment online.

Can I Have Sex After Treatment?

Once you’ve recovered from treatment, you should be able to enjoy a normal sex life. If fibroids impact intercourse with your partner, you should notice improvement as the fibroids shrink.