Consequences of Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)

After the surgery to remove the uterus, also called hysterectomy, the woman’s body suffers some changes that can influence her life and physical and mental health, from changes in libido to sudden changes in the menstrual cycle, for example.

In general, the recovery after the surgery lasts around 6 to 8 weeks, but some changes can be maintained for longer, since one of the most important recommendations after this type of surgery is that the woman receives emotional support to learn to deal with all the changes, avoiding negative emotions that can lead to the emergence of a depression. Know the main symptoms of depression.

1. What happens with menstruation

After the woman’s hysterectomy has been bleeding during menstruation, there is no uterine tissue to be eliminated, even though the menstrual cycle continues to occur.

However, if the ovaries are also removed during the surgery, the woman may experience sudden symptoms of menopause, or the ovaries may not produce the necessary hormones. Therefore, to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes and excessive sweating, the gynecologist may recommend performing hormone replacement therapy.

See the signs that may indicate that you are entering an early menopause.

2. What changes in intimate life

Most women who underwent surgery to remove the uterus did not present any type of change in their intimate life, since the surgery is usually performed in severe cases of cancer and because many women can experience an increase in it sexual pleasure due to the absence of pain during intimate contact.

However, women who also do not find themselves in menopause when they undergo surgery may feel less desire to have sexual intercourse due to the decrease in vaginal lubrication which can cause intense pain. However, this problem can be mitigated with the use of water-based lubricants, for example. See home remedies to treat vaginal dryness.

In addition to this, due to some emotional changes, the woman can also feel less woman due to the lack of the uterus, being able to unconsciously alter the woman’s sexual will.

3. How is the woman feeling

After the hysterectomy, the woman goes through a period of mixing of emotions in the one who begins to feel relief for having treated the cancer, the problem that I am studying in the origin of the surgery, and for not having symptoms. However, this happiness can be easily replaced by the feeling that she is less woman due to the absence of the uterus and, therefore, provoke negative feelings.

Because of this type of surgery, it is recommended that women have psychotherapy sessions to learn to control their emotions, avoiding the development of serious problems such as depression.

4. Is there weight gain?

Some women may indicate an increase in weight after the surgery, especially during the recovery period, although there is no specific cause for this.

However, some theories that have been pointed out include the imbalance of sexual hormones, since male hormones are found in greater concentration in the body. When this happens, many women tend to accumulate more fat in the abdominal region, which also happens in the man.

In addition to this, as the recovery period can also be quite long, some women can be as active as before the surgery, which ends up contributing to the increase in body weight.