Americans tend to be very reluctant to ask their doctors about sex. Maybe it is our shared Puritanical history or maybe people prefer the anonymity of the internet. An entire Reddit thread exists about the topic of sex after a hair transplant.
So clearly, people have questions. Let us address them directly instead of relying on feedback from strangers on the internet.
Why Should I Avoid Sex After a Hair Transplant?
Sex is a messy business. It impacts many of our bodies’ systems and makes rapid changes, especially in the cardiovascular system. Our blood pressure increases, especially as we near orgasm, to increase blood flow to the genital area.
The biggest issue with sex after a hair transplant is disturbing the healing scalp. The reality is that during sex, it is very easy for people to forget and touch, rub, pull or otherwise disrupt or irritate the surgical site.
Even though hair transplants are less invasive than other forms of transplants (like a kidney transplant), your scalp requires oxygen and vital nutrients for optimal healing. Sexual arousal can refocus those blood resources towards other parts of the body instead – stealing the things your scalp needs to heal.
Furthermore, most of us sweat when we are having sex and excessive sweating can be hard on your hair and scalp. The sweat itself can clog pores, making it hard for the newly transplanted follicles to stay healthy. It can increase the likelihood that you (or your partner) will touch the scalp, potentially irritating or contaminating the surgical area.
In some cases, rapid movement or playful hair-pulling might be a typical part of sexual activity. That sort of activity can be dangerous to the health of your hair transplant.
We advise patients to refrain from all sexual activity for at least a week after your transplant and then to take it easy for another week. That does not mean you cannot have sex during the second week after your surgery but do take care and remind your partner to be careful of the surgical area.
Masturbation and oral sex may seem like good alternatives, but during that first week any sexual activity can potentially delay the healing process. Extreme activity resulting in very high blood pressure may even lead to renewed bleeding. For the best outcome, we recommend waiting. Anticipation, after all, can be very sexy.
It is important to remember that a hair transplant is still a surgery, and your body needs time to recover. Stick to cuddling that first week and save the Netflix and chill for a little while longer.
Can a Hair Transplant Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
No, it cannot. However, some men have found that hair loss before a hair transplant may affect their sex drive.
Unfortunately, many men (and women) tie their self-esteem to their looks and hair can play an important role in that. That means when you are concerned about your hair loss, you may lose interest in sex. As a result, when you have a hair transplant you may find that emotional distress is decreased, and you suddenly have a sex drive again.
Does Viagra Help Hair Loss?
Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs focus on opening up the blood vessels to allow more blood to get to the penis, or vagina, creating sexual arousal. Some early studies have shown that sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra℗, may lead to healthy hair follicles and even decrease hair loss for those afflicted with androgenic alopecia.
However, because the evidence is early, and we want to talk about your entire body’s health, we ask that you talk to your hair specialist before combining Viagra℗ with hair loss medications or hair transplants. While it may seem awkward at first, your doctors have been asked all these questions before and are not judging you.
We understand the value of a healthy sex life in all forms of human health. Just please, ask us and not that random guy on social media.
Precision Hair Restoration Can Answer Questions about Sex and Hair Transplants
The simple truth is that your friends answering your sex questions are probably doing the same Google search you are. They may be getting good answers, or they may be finding answers spouted by someone with no medical expertise. When you have questions about how your sex life relates to your hair loss, Precision Hair Restoration is here with the answers. Contact us today.
