Hysterectomy is the surgical procedure for removal of the uterus. It may also involve removal of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures of the reproductive part. After this procedure, the women cannot conceive the baby. To know more about Hysterectomy Complications and its types, read this blog.

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What is Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus. A woman may have a hysterectomy for different reasons, including:

1. Uterine fibroids which cause pain, bleeding, or other problems

2. Uterine prolapse, which is a sliding of the uterus from its normal position into the vaginal canal

3. Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries

4. Endometriosis

5. Abnormal vaginal bleeding

6. Chronic pelvic pain

7. Adenomyosis, or a thickening of the uterus

What are the Types of Hysterectomy?

There are five types of hysterectomy:

• Total hysterectomy  –  Where the uterus and cervix are removed

• Subtotal (partial) hysterectomy – Where the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left in place. At the time removal of the cervix is usually advised because it is a potential cancer site, some women feel that it serves a purpose during penetrative sex. If the cervix is remaining, regular cervical screening is still necessary.

• Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – Where the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are removed. This operation is complete if the woman has cancer of the ovaries or the uterus, or for chronic pain due to recurrent pelvic infection or recurrent endometriosis.

• Radical Hysterectomy – The most extensive version of the operation. It involves the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, upper part of the vagina, and associated pelvic ligaments and lymph nodes. This happens if the woman has cancer of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes or uterus.

• Hysterectomy with prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy – Most doctors now recommend removing the fallopian tubes at the time of hysterectomy due to research suggesting that early ‘ovarian’ cancers originate in the tubes.

What are Hysterectomy Complications?

The possible complications of a hysterectomy include:

• A reaction to the anesthetic during the operation, which may be due to allergy.

• Nausea and vomiting post-anesthetic or medication-induced for the first one to three days.

• Infection

• Internal hemorrhage (internal bleeding)

• The build-up of blood beneath the stitches (hematoma) or in the abdomen

• Internal scar tissue

• Blood clots (for example, thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)

• Difficulties with urination

• Injury to the bowel, bladder or ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder)

• Fistula (an abnormal hole between internal structures, such as the bowel and vagina)

• Vaginal vault prolapse (when the top of the vaginal wall sags or bulges down)

• Decreased sexual desire (or you may have an increase in sexual desire due to the treatment of your symptoms)

• Constant pelvic pain rare, and post-operatively usually show improvement

• Feelings of grief and loss if not counseled appropriately before the hysterectomy

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Do Hysterectomies Cause Weight Gain?

While a hysterectomy isn’t directly linked to weight loss, it may be related to weight gain in some people. More research is needed to fully understand the potential link between hysterectomies and weight gain. If you do have your ovaries removed during the procedure, you’ll immediately enter menopause.

What are the Side Effects of Having a Hysterectomy?

• Low impact fitness exercises e.g. walking, cycling

• Low resistance pelvic floor safe strength exercises

• Pelvic floor safe core abdominal exercises

• Progressive pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)

How Painful is a Hysterectomy?

After a hysterectomy, you might feel relief because you no longer have heavy bleeding or pelvic pain. But for some women, heightened sexual satisfaction occurs after hysterectomy perhaps because they no longer have pain during intercourse. You might feel a sense of loss and grief after hysterectomy, which is normal.

What to Eat After a Hysterectomy?

Eat foods which are high in protein like meats, fish, cheese and other dairy products. These foods will help your incisions (cuts) heal. Eat high fiber foods such as fresh fruit, leafy vegetables, and bran, and drink lots of fluids (water, tea, juice,). This will help prevent constipation.

Conclusion

For every woman, it’s a hard time to remove their uterus. As today we are giving some information about Hysterectomy Complications and its causes, and side effects.  This procedure is conducted by an experienced gynecologist, with the help of her, you can easily get relieved.

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