Every year, about 20 million hernia surgeries are performed worldwide with more than 1 million of them being performed in the U.S.¹ In addition to the commonly discussed lifestyle changes that follow hernia surgery—such as exercise and diet—hernia surgery may require you to wait before resuming sexual activity and follow certain precautions.^2,3 Read more to learn typical recommendations about resuming sexual activity after hernia surgery. Always contact your doctor to ask when it is safe for you as each person and each hernia surgery is different.
 

Most patients who undergo hernia repair surgery can return home the next day and can likely return to light activity after three weeks.² It's generally recommended that you wait to engage in sexual intercourse for a few days or up to a few weeks post-hernia surgery depending on:³

• The location of the hernia.
• Your age and general health.
• The type of surgery performed.
• If there were any complications during the repair.

Be sure to ask your doctor when it is safe for you to have sex following hernia surgery.
 

Having sex too soon after hernia surgery can be risky. This may cause issues like:⁴

• Pain: The surgical site may still be tender following surgery and engaging in sexual intercourse before you are healed may worsen pain.
• Mesh complications: Many surgeons repair hernias with mesh to reinforce the weakened area where the hernia occurred. It is important to follow your doctor’s guidelines, so the mesh has time to heal properly and to avoid rupturing the repair.
• Incision reopening: Due to physical movement and muscle contractions that occur during sexual intercourse, your incision may be more at risk of reopening. If this happens, your recovery may be delayed or the incision may become infected.
• Hernia recurrence: There is a small chance your hernia can return if you have sex right after a hernia repair.
   

Having sex after hernia repair surgery may take some adjusting to. Some things to keep in mind for your “first time” after surgery:⁵

• Speak up: Be prepared to discuss openly with your partner and stop if necessary.
• Prioritize comfort: Choose a position that doesn’t put weight or strain against the incision site.
• Be gentle: Lead with gentle movements and consider using a pillow to relieve pressure and discomfort.
   

If you experience any of these symptoms during sex after hernia surgery, it is important to seek immediate medical attention:⁶

• Fever
• Redness and swelling at the incision site
• Bleeding or foul-smelling discharge from the incision
• Worsening pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Difficulty urinating
   

Whether, and when, it is safe to engage in sexual intercourse after hernia surgery depends on several factors, including age, hernia location, type of surgery, and any complications during surgery. Having sex too soon after hernia repair surgery can be risky, so it is best to consult your doctor to understand if and when sex after hernia repair surgery is safe for you. To find a hernia specialist near you, visit our Surgeon Finder tool.

The guidance provided in this article follows general rules that should be discussed with your doctor. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute for medical advice. If in doubt, always consult your doctor.