Hysterectomy
Recovery
Recovering from a hysterectomy takes time. You will stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days for postsurgery care. Some women stay in the hospital up to 4 days.
Abdominal hysterectomy. As soon as you feel strong enough, get up and around as much as you can. This helps prevent problems after surgery like blood clots, pneumonia, and gas pains. During the first 2 to 3 weeks it is important to also get plenty of rest. You will gradually be able to increase your activities. To help you heal well, avoid lifting more than 20 pounds during the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. For the same reason, this is also an important time to avoid vaginal intercourse.
As soon as you can move easily without pain or without using narcotic pain medicine, you can drive. Complete recovery usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Your return to a work routine will depend on how quickly you get back your energy and strength, and how demanding your work is.
Vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy. As soon as you feel strong enough, get up and around as much as you can. This helps prevent problems after surgery like blood clots, pneumonia, and gas pains. When you can move easily without pain, you can drive. To help you heal well, avoid lifting more than 20 pounds during the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. For the same reason, this is also an important time to avoid vaginal intercourse.
Recovery from a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy takes much less time than from an abdominal surgery. After a routine laparoscopic surgery removing the uterus but not the cervix (laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, or LSH), most women are able to return to normal activity in 1 to 2 weeks. About 4 to 6 weeks after the hysterectomy, see your health professional for a follow-up examination.
How effective is hysterectomy for improving my symptoms?
For many women who still have severe symptoms after trying medicines or other treatment, hysterectomy often brings significant relief.3 For example, a study of women with heavy menstrual bleeding reports relief at 6 months and 2 years after hysterectomy. This was compared to women who used medicine or other treatment. Along with getting relief from the bleeding, women tended to feel better emotionally and have improved sleep, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and overall health.4 Most women report improvement in physical symptoms (including pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, and physical and social functioning) after a hysterectomy.13 For more information about how hysterectomy may or may not help different problems, see:
- Hysterectomy and chronic pelvic pain.
- Hysterectomy and heavy, irregular menstrual bleeding.
- Hysterectomy and endometriosis.
- Hysterectomy and uterine fibroids.
- Hysterectomy and uterine prolapse.
What are possible long-term problems after hysterectomy?
For some women, pelvic pain, low back pain, or pain with intercourse that they had before surgery persists or returns after surgery.14 The success rate is lower for women who have had prior pelvic surgery or radiation therapy to the pelvis.
Pelvic weakness. After a hysterectomy, some women develop other physical problems that are related to weakness of the pelvic muscles and ligaments that support the vagina, bladder, and rectum. The weakness can cause bladder or bowel problems, such as cystocele, urinary incontinence, or rectocele.12Kegel exercises may help strengthen the pelvic muscles and ligaments. However, some women need other treatments, including additional surgery.
Vaginal dryness from low estrogen levels may develop if your ovaries were removed (oophorectomy). This can also develop gradually after a hysterectomy. If sexual intercourse is painful because of vaginal dryness:
- Use a vaginal lubricant such as K-Y jelly, Astroglide, or Replens, or a polyunsaturated vegetable oil that does not contain preservatives. If you are using condoms, use a water-based lubricant, rather than an oil-based lubricant. Oil can weaken the condom so that it breaks. Avoid petroleum jelly (for example, Vaseline) as a lubricant because it increases the risk of vaginal irritation and infection.
- Use a low-dose vaginal estrogen cream, ring, or tablet, which will reverse vaginal dryness and irritation by affecting only the vaginal area. If you are having other menopausal symptoms, talk to your health professional about systemic estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and other treatment options. For more treatment information, see the topic Menopause and Perimenopause.
Pain during intercourse may occur if your vagina was shortened during your hysterectomy. Changing positions may help make intercourse less painful. Talk with your health professional if you have any difficulty during intercourse after a hysterectomy.
How will I feel emotionally after my hysterectomy?
It is normal to have various concerns when faced with the possibility of having a hysterectomy. A woman's emotions are often based on her beliefs about the importance of her uterus, her fears about her health or personal relationships after a hysterectomy, and concerns about her enjoyment of sexual activities after surgery. If you are considering a hysterectomy, talk with your health professional about your specific fears and anxieties concerning the surgery.
Shortly after a hysterectomy, you may notice changes in your emotions. Studies have shown that most women reported better mood, quality of life, and sexual, psychological, and social functioning following hysterectomy. In one study, nearly three-fourths of the women who had problems with anxiety or depression before a hysterectomy were no longer depressed 12 months after the hysterectomy. Women who had been in therapy for psychological or emotional problems before having a hysterectomy had poorer outcomes than women who were not in therapy.4, 13, 3
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: August 25, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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