What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus. There a several types of hysterectomy, depending on what’s removed:
- A partial hysterectomy removes the uterus but leaves the cervix intact.
- A standard hysterectomy removes both uterus and cervix.
- A total hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix, and one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Hysterectomies are performed through either the abdomen or the vagina. Some can be done laparoscopically or with robot-assisted technology. The approach your doctor uses can play a role in the side effects you might experience after surgery.
Read on to learn more about hysterectomy side effects.
What are the short-term side-effects?
Having a hysterectomy can cause several short-term physical side effects. Some may also experience emotional side effects during the recovery process.
Physical side effects
Following a hysterectomy, you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two. During your stay, you’ll likely be given medication to help with any pain as your body heals. A laparoscopic hysterectomy sometimes doesn’t require a hospital stay.s you recover, you’ll likely notice some bloody vaginal discharge in the days or weeks after the procedure. This is completely normal. You may find that wearing a pad during this part of recovery helps.The actual amount of time you’ll need to recover depends on the type of surgery you have and how active you are. Most people can return to their usual activity level about six weeks after an abdominal hysterectomy.
What are the types of hysterectomy?
An abdominal hysterectomy involves a surgeon making a single cut in your abdomen to remove your uterus. Your surgeon will then close the cut using dissolvable stitches. An abdominal hysterectomy is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep.
In a vaginal hysterectomy, your surgeon will make a single cut in your vagina to remove your uterus (and cervix, if necessary). You can chose to have the operation under general or regional anaesthetic. If you have general anaesthetic you’ll be asleep, so you won’t feel anything. If you have regional anaesthetic, you’ll be awake but the area will be completely numb, so you won’t feel any pain. Your surgeon will then close the cut using dissolvable stitches.
A vaginal hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus through the vagina. It is a way to take the uterus out through a cut in the vagina instead of a cut in your belly. The ovaries or fallopian tubes (other female organs) may also be removed when the uterus is removed.
The uterus (womb) is the muscular organ at the top of the vagina. Babies grow in the uterus, and menstrual blood comes from the uterus. If you were having menstrual periods before the surgery, you will no longer have them after the operation. Without your uterus you will not be able to get pregnant.