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.
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.
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.
for benign diseases unnecessary removal of ovaries should not be practiced.yes in my practice we try to conserve the ovaries while operating on benign ganaecological diseaes. cut off point of age is around 50 years and menopausal.also on table if the ovaries macroscopic picture also decide the removal.even in young borderline malignant ovarian tumours of early stages ovarian preservation is the concept.
As in all surgeries, there are certain risks involved in having a hysterectomy, even though it is a commonly performed surgery and considered to be one of the safest surgical procedures. Some possible problems include:
Infection
Bleeding during or after surgery
Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein, usually the leg)
Blocking of the bowels due to scarring from surgery
Blood clots around the wound
You may also experience anesthesia related problems and, as with all surgeries, there is a risk of death.
Doctors will encourage you to begin walking around as soon as possible after your surgery, normally within a day or two, to help prevent deep vein thrombosis. You will probably experience pain for the first few days and may have bleeding or vaginal discharge for up to six weeks. During this time, you will not be able to put anything into your vagina, including abstaining from sex, not using tampons and not douching.
You should be able to resume most of your daily activities in four to eight weeks after surgery.
You may find for the first few months after surgery you are more tired than usual and that you need to stop periodically through the day to rest. Allow yourself this time and take advantage of friends and family who are willing to help you in the first few weeks. Talk with your doctor about exercises you can do that can help to speed your recovery.
Depending on the type of hysterectomy you have, you body may or may not still produce estrogen. If your ovaries were removed during surgery, your body will stop producing estrogen and you may experience symptoms similar to menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and sleep problems. If your ovaries were not removed, your body will still continue to produce estrogen and you may not experience any hormonal changes.
Some women do not notice any difference in sexual response, while others report they enjoy sex even more, possibly because their previous health problem is no longer interfering with their sexual relationship. They may also be able to relax and enjoy sexual relationships without the possibility of pregnancy.
If you felt uterine contractions during orgasm, you will no longer feel those as you no longer have a uterus. If these contractions added to your sexual pleasure, you may feel less enjoyment from sex.
If your ovaries have been removed and you are no longer producing estrogen, you may experience vaginal dryness that interferes with sex. Using gels or lubricants can help to reduce the dryness and increase your enjoyment.
Some women may feel depressed after a hysterectomy. Some will have difficulty with no longer being able to have children or feel as if they have suffered a loss. Depression may last only a few weeks. If you find depression is lasting for several weeks or months, you should speak with your doctor.