The choice to have a hair transplant is often rooted in self-esteem. So, after proactively doing something to make yourself feel better, your sex drive may increase. That’s a good thing, right? Yes, and no.
Immediately after a hair transplant, you should refrain from intimate sexual contact with a partner for at least a week… maybe longer. So – while you may be more interested – it might be a good time to limit it to solo activities.
Is Sex Allowed After a Hair Transplant?
Yes, but not immediately.
After almost any form of major surgery, you are going to have restrictions. Depending on your personal health and the type of hair transplant you are having, that is likely to include sex. In fact, as this social media influencer found, there was a lot he had to give up temporarily for his hair.
The medical staff at the University of Pennsylvania says that you may resume most strenuous activity (including cardio exercise like sex) a week after your hair transplant. However, not all doctors agree.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggest that you wait at least three weeks after a hair transplant before getting sweaty: “Because strenuous activity increases blood flow to the scalp and may cause your transplants or incisions to bleed, you may be instructed to avoid vigorous exercise and contact sports for at least three weeks. Other doctors also advise that sexual activity be avoided for at least 10 days after surgery.”
That exception for sex at 10 days totally depends on your form of sexual activity. Anything that might cause increased touching of your scalp (or a significantly increased blood pressure) is better to avoid.
Having someone else touching your hair or tugging at it can cause irritation, infection, or damage to the fresh transplant. The consensus seems to be that sex is okay after 7-10 days… but be gentle about it.
And if you really need release prior to that? Try solo activity.
Can I Masturbate After a Hair Transplant?
Again, the key to safe sexual activity of any sort after a hair restoration procedure is to keep unnecessary touching of your scalp to a minimum and avoid sweating. While partnerless activity may not be your first choice, it is likely the best choice during that first week after the procedure.
Do Hair Transplants Affect Sex Drive?
Your hair transplant surgery itself is unlike to impact your sex drive, but the emotional impact of hair loss might. Before you get to the point where you are ready for surgery, you might find your desire slipping.
Hair loss can definitely impact our personal appearance and cause depression. That depression (and depression medication) can make it harder to find yourself in the mood for sex.
So, the solution for one might be a help for the other.
Does Viagra Help Hair Loss?
Yes. Research indicates that Sildenafil (the generic name for Viagra®) can actually help increase hair growth. The research was done in mice, but that tends to indicate a similar response in humans.
“Sildenafil enhances proliferation of hDPCs and up-regulates the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which are responsible for hair growth. Additionally, sildenafil up-regulates the levels of phosphorylated ERK and accelerates anagen induction by stimulating perifollicular vessel formation after topical application in mice,” according to the study results.
That means it helps transition the hair follicles into the growth phase and increase the blood supply to hair follicles while helping you get past that depression-related sex problem. Until you are ready for your hair transplant, Viagra might help keep you sexually active.
When You’re Ready to Regrow Your Hair, Call RHRLI
Our team here at Robotic Hair Restoration of Long Island can help you identify the causes of your hair loss and recommend the best course of treatment. We can start with non-surgical treatments and move on to surgical replacement when you are ready. Contact us today for a free consultation.