Hysterectomy is one treatment for many diseases and conditions. A hysterectomy may save your life if: • you have cancer of the uterus or ovaries, or • your uterus is bleeding fast and it can't be stopped. In most other cases, a hysterectomy is done to improve a woman's life.
One of the most common reasons for hysterectomy is the treatment of uterine fibroid tumors, which are growths of the uterus that may cause heavy bleeding, pain, or other bothersome symptoms.
About half a million hysterectomies are performed each year in the U.S. It is the second most common surgical procedure for women, after cesarean delivery (C-section). Most hysterectomies are performed between the ages of 40 and 50.
As well as the uterus, a hysterectomy may involve removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries or cervix. Around 55,000 hysterectomy operations are carried out in the UK each year. This means about one in five women will have a hysterectomy at some point.
You Won't Necessarily Go Into Menopause
The myth about hysterectomy Streicher hears most often in her medical practice is that a woman will go into menopause afterward. You won't have periods, and can't get pregnant after your uterus is removed. But that doesn't necessarily mean menopause.
A hysterectomy may save your life if: • you have cancer of the uterus or ovaries, or • your uterus is bleeding fast and it can't be stopped. In most other cases, a hysterectomy is done to improve a woman's life. But, it is not needed to save her life. This is called an elective hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy can lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction, prolapse, and incontinence as well as a 4-fold increased risk of pelvic organ fistula surgery. Other risks include certain cancers – rectal, thyroid, renal cell, and brain – as well as heart disease (#1 killer of women).
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus). You'll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation. If you have not already gone through the menopause, you'll no longer have periods, regardless of your age. It's more common for women aged 40 to 50.
The belly is often swollen after a hysterectomy which can lead to the mistaken belief of having gained belly fat after surgery. Internal lower abdominal and pelvic swelling can take a number of months to subside after a hysterectomy.
Myth 5: Hysterectomies make you age faster
“A hysterectomy does not directly affect the body's aging process,” Chang says. A hysterectomy won't affect how you physically age, but it can be emotionally challenging for some people to have their uterus, cervix or ovaries removed.
Continuing life changes
You'll no longer be able to become pregnant and will no longer menstruate. You may find that menopause symptoms begin suddenly after your procedure. We can support you through the changes of menopause with treatments like hormone replacement therapy.
Pain intensity, wish for more analgesics and most interference outcomes were significantly worse after CS compared with hysterectomies.
Research does suggest a link between hysterectomy and an increased risk of weight gain, but it affects some women more than others. Several factors can affect how much weight you gain after a hysterectomy, including what you do during and after the initial recovery period.
Surgical menopause
If you have a total or radical hysterectomy that removes your ovaries, you'll experience the menopause immediately after your operation, regardless of your age. This is known as a surgical menopause.
What fills the empty space after a hysterectomy? After you have a hysterectomy, your other organs move to fill the space. Your small and large intestines mainly fill the space once occupied by your uterus.
You may even have more sexual pleasure after a hysterectomy. This may be due to relief from chronic pain or heavy bleeding that came from a uterine problem. Relief of symptoms may improve your quality of life. You may feel an overall sense of well-being.
However, you can live a healthy life after a hysterectomy if you take steps to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress.
Most women reach menopause by age 51 or 52. Some women may experience menopause after a hysterectomy, regardless of their age. Understanding why this happens and what you can expect can help you prepare for life after the procedure.
For any woman undergoing a hysterectomy, these are all common, understandable questions. The intrusiveness of the procedure, along with changes in your hormones, does mean that some women will experience changes in their weight and physical fitness. Many of these changes need not be permanent.
After your hysterectomy
The average recovery time for a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy is 3 to 4 weeks. For an abdominal hysterectomy, recovery may take 5 to 6 weeks. It's important to look after yourself after your hysterectomy: Rest as much as possible for at least 2 weeks.