A hysterectomy refers to the surgical removal of the uterus. Surgery is usually the last option when the other viable treatments have failed in alleviating the symptoms. Some hysterectomies remove the uterus, other include the cervix, while a radical hysterectomy will see the removal of uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
By far the most common reason for needing a hysterectomy is menstrual problems in an older woman. Other diagnoses may be cancer, pregnancy or childbirth difficulties, prolapse, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. The doctor you are seeing is the best person to ask why you need to have the hysterectomy.
There are two methods of performing the surgery; the vaginal and the abdominal hysterectomy. Without needing an incision in the abdomen, a vaginal hysterectomy patient will usually recover faster and will be less bothered by pain. Not all women are candidates for this method; it depends on the reason the surgery is required, the age and general health of the patient.
Some pain and discomfort are to be expected after a hysterectomy; this will be more severe after an abdominal procedure. Hospital staff will offer you medication to relieve any pain and you may have a catheter to help pass urine for a day or two.
For the first day or two after your operation, you will remain in bed but then will be helped to get up and walk around. This light walking is to reduce the risk of clots forming in the blood vessels of the legs. Patients who have had a vaginal procedure stay in hospital for about 3 or 4 days whereas those who have had abdominal surgery stay for 6 to 7 days.
You will continue your recovery at home for 6 to 8 weeks so that your body can heal and you can regain your strength. It is important to rest during this time and don’t do any heavy housework, stretching or lifting.
You can expect some symptoms during your recovery. Speak to the doctor if the normal vaginal discharge or bleeding continues for more than two weeks. It is quite common to have some menopause symptoms after your surgery, but these usually go away after several days. The symptoms you may experience are hot flashes and sweating, confusion and anxiety and feeling like crying unexpectedly. If these symptoms continue, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy.
Your hysterectomy should have no negative impact on your libido, in fact, many women report that it is enhanced. A common symptom in patients who have also had ovaries removed is dryness of the vagina, but you can get relief with taking estrogen and vaginal lubricants. Your body needs time to heal and so abstaining from sexual intercourse for about 6 weeks after your surgery is recommended.
Some women experience psychological and emotional symptoms after hysterectomy, including a sense of loss or feeling less of a woman, especially younger women. After a hysterectomy, most women feel so much stronger physically, that the symptoms don’t last for very long. Your doctor is the person to ask about any concerns you have about symptoms that seem to be staying with you. You should always consult a doctor when needing information on after hysterectomy, Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Supracervical Hysterectomy.
You need to get more active a few weeks after surgery by taking short walks each day. It is important to take it easy at first, but you can increase your time and distance every few days. Make sure to keep the exercise manageable and it will help you recover faster and more completely. You will need the full recovery time so it is important not to push yourself to recover sooner.
Warning this is not medical advise