It is generally safe to have sex 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. You should find that your hips are less painful than before and you have better movement. However, you need to restrict your bending during sex, just like other activities, and it may take time to feel comfortable with your new hip. Any time it feels painful, just stop.
The rule is to avoid excessive bending, twisting or crossing over the operated leg. For the first 12 weeks, lie down and be pampered by your partner. Then graduate to lying on your side for intercourse, and getting on top. Rather than using your hips for movement, use your legs. Use pillows for support and comfort.
Try not to spread your upper legs out to each side. Women especially need to ask their partners not to lie on top of their pelvis with their legs spread wide open. Rather, keep your knees up beside your partner.
Your knees and hips should be slightly bent, with your knees forward in front of your pelvis. Avoiding pushing your pelvis forward, avoid swayback and avoid moving your lower back and hips forward and back. This might be difficult for people who are used to "swiving" and reaching orgasm by pushing their pelvis forwards and upwards, but if you remain adaptable and experimental, you will find there is more than one way to enjoy intercourse and more than one way to come.
Begin your journey by re-establishing absolute trust and good communication about sex, including fantasies, desires and fears, with your partner.
We asked a surgeon how many people who have had hip replacement then go on to dislocate their new hip as a result of too vigorous sex, but she told us that nobody ever admits that it was sex that caused a subsequent dislocation!
Any questions on personal issues like these can be asked on our Sex and Disability Helpline:
Post: Tuppy Owens, BCM Box Lovely, London WC1N 3XX
Email: Email Helpline
Phone: 0707 499 3527 : The Helpline is open weekdays 11am to 7pm