Orgam-Do Cervix &/0r Uterus Help?

[KateRider]

I've been advised to have my ovaries removed due to cysts.  It's my option whether to also remove my uterus and cervix.  It is possible to keep the cervix and lose the uterus.    I heard there was a study that showed 20% of women had decreased orgasmic pleasure after losing their cervix.    I am leaning towards losing the uterus and keeping cervix in case I'm in the 20%.    
I am 51, married to HS sweetheart 30 years, and my orgasms can be off the charts, out of this world.   Not willing to take a risk on that if cervix and/or uterus are contributing!    Please advise, surgery for ovaries imminent!

[Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.]

  You'd be surprized how little research there is on this topic--but I would advise you to keep as much of your sexual equipment as intact as possible--IF IT DOESNT THREATEN YOUR HEALTH. The most important thing is what your doctor thinks is necessary for your safety. That said, I only have annecdotal research on this one, but some women do get used to the sensation of the penis bumping up against the cervix and would miss it if sensation changed. If however, it must be removed, I can also report that women can " train" themselves to have other erotic triggers and that the loss of the uterus and/or cervix can be recovered from. Remember that some, but perhaps not all, of changes in sensation are psychological as well as physical. So part of it will be you, leaning on what still feels good, and become readjusted to a new order of sensations. It can be done, and it sounds like that since you have enjoyed sex in the past, you will learn how to enjoy it in the future-- no matter what!

[Jennyfromtheblock]

Well KateRider,

If I was you, I think I'd keep my cervix, knowing in advance that it may cause sexual intimacy problems.  Are there any major cons to keeping it?  

[becks715]

If you need to have your ovaries removed why would you take the uterus too?  If that's your choice, I'm just curious as to why if there is no issue with it.  Did they say there possibly could be?  I mean if it's just ovaries that are the problem why not just have those removed?

[marriedlove]

Uterine contractions certainly do play a role in orgasm--they are part of the pleasure.  Clearly, many women who have had hysterectomies have gone on to enjoy very satisfying sex lives, so it's not as though you won't be able to orgasm anymore without a uterus, but don't listen to any doc who says that the uterus doesn't play a role at all:  it clearly does.  The cervix is the opening to the uterus (the neck of the uterus), so it's not as though those two aren't related!  Essentially, the cervix is part of the uterus.  If you can keep your cervix and uterus--if no health risk is involved--why not do it?  Orgasms are important!   ;-)

marriedlove

[jml1986]

If you are not having any problems with your cervix or uterus I think it is clearly your choice. I can say that I had a total hysterectomy this past July and I can tell you that since I had it done, my husband and I have had the best sex of our 26 years of marriage.

[marriedlove]

jml1986's experience is common, I think--many women feel so much better after a hysterectomy that they end up with better sex lives than ever.  On the other hand, I know that for me the uterine contractions of orgasm are very pleasurable.  If I didn't have to trade those away, I surely wouldn't.

Good luck to you.

marriedlove