A woman may have a hysterectomy after deciding that she is done bearing children, does not want them in the first place, or has a medical reason to have her uterus removed. Like any other type of surgery, the body goes through many changes directly after a hysterectomy. There are some positive and negative side effects of a hysterectomy, usually depending on the reason for the surgery in the first place. Many women find that they enter surgical menopause, which means that this stage of life comes right after the procedure instead of naturally later in life. On the other hand, women whose painful problems in the reproductive area force them to have this surgery might find some relief by having the source of the issues removed.
This type of surgery may involve just removing the uterus, or it could include removal of the ovaries as well, referred to as a total hysterectomy. In both cases, menopause usually results, though the symptoms are typically worse after the latter kind of surgery. This side effect is due to the amount of female hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, drastically decreasing in the body. Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is available to reduce the effects, usually through a pill or patch.
Women experiencing early menopause frequently notice a change in their appearance after a hysterectomy, such as weight gain or sudden hair loss. Hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, and vaginal dryness are symptoms that women may feel after a hysterectomy, as well. Often, psychological changes also occur, from decreased sex drive and depression to anxiety and memory loss. In general, any side effects that usually occur during menopause can be expected after a hysterectomy, especially in younger women who have not yet gone through this stage on their own.
Some women have to get a hysterectomy in order to eliminate issues caused by their uterus. This may include cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, such as uncontrollable bleeding. On the other hand, some women opt for a hysterectomy to prevent painful menstrual periods. In either case, they may feel relieved that the issue is now gone, but sad that they had to resort to major surgery that renders them unable to have children. They will still likely be pushed into menopause after a hysterectomy, but the good news is that they should feel some physical relief once the pain or discomfort is gone.
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anon262967
Post 10 |
I am a poor woman in FL who is approaching 50 and had my tubes tied after my last child was born 20 years ago, except now for the past three years or more I have had unbearable chronic pelvic pain. Because my tubes are tied, no county health services are available to me. I have gone to planned parenthood and been tested for every gynecological disease and std under the sun and have none, yet cannot sit or stand, or even have sex due to debilitating, chronic, sharp pelvic pain. If anyone knows where I can get a hysterectomy performed, I sure would like one just to relieve the pain. |
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bagley79
Post 9 |
After a few years of spotty bleeding, my friend decided to go ahead with a hysterectomy. This was several years ago when they seemed to perform them more often than they do today.
Her doctor also told her that by keeping her uterus and continuing with the bleeding she was more apt to develop cancer than if she went ahead with the hysterectomy.
My mom was told just the opposite when she was having this type of bleeding. Her doctor told her that after she was done with menopause, the bleeding would stop and unless it caused her a lot of problems did not recommend a hysterectomy. She never did have the surgery and no longer has any bleeding.
I guess it comes down to each individual persons medical reasons and working closely with your doctor. I also think that it never hurts to get a second opinion before making such a big decision as having a hysterectomy. |
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golf07
Post 8 |
I would look at having a hysterectomy as a last resort to any problems I was having. Of course, if there was a real threat of cancer or something terminal, it would be a much easier decision to make.
I think it is much better for your body to naturally go through the changes of menopause rather than force it to start abruptly because of surgery.
This might be easy for me to say because I have never had very bad or long monthly cycles. Some friends I know really struggle every month with this, while mine is just more of an annoyance. I would rather deal with what I know and as things come, than have a hysterectomy and force my body to do through this change so quickly. |
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andee
Post 7 |
I have several friends who have had a hysterectomy before they would have naturally gone through menopause.
Although this was not an easy decision for any of them to make, once the surgery was over and they had recovered, they were glad they went ahead with it.
They don't have to worry about their monthly cycles anymore, but more than that, no longer have the pain and/or bleeding that led up to the surgery in the first place. |
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OeKc05
Post 6 |
I had a total hysterectomy at the age of 40. My ovaries had cysts on them, and though they were benign, they caused me a great deal of pain. My pelvic area and lower abdomen hurt immensely during my period. I knew that I did not want to have children at that age, so I figured that surgery was the best option.
I have been taking estrogen to avoid losing my femininity. I have a horror of what happens to older women when it becomes hard to distinguish their faces from those of older men. I know I may not be able to take estrogen forever, but I’m not ready to let go of my womanhood yet. |
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Oceana
Post 5 |
While seriously considering hormone replacement therapy after her hysterectomy, my mother discovered that the typically prescribed combination of estrogen and progestin can increase the risk of some serious conditions. She read about a clinical study that found that this form of HRT raises the chances of a woman developing heart disease, breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots.
However, she found out that since her uterus had been removed, she could take estrogen alone. Though a person going through natural menopause would be at risk for uterine cancer if taking pure estrogen, obviously my mother wouldn’t have to worry about that. |
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StarJo
Post 4 |
My friend’s mom had a hysterectomy because her periods were debilitating. She missed two days of work each month because the cramps were so severe, and her flow was so heavy that she had to change tampons once an hour.
Since her boss was female, she was very understanding about the missed days. When she took a leave of absence for her surgery, her boss told her to take all the time she needed for emotional recovery.
After the hysterectomy, she started having hot flashes. She grew some facial hair, and her face took on more of a masculine appearance. She started to look old. However, she said that the relief from her horrible periods far outweighed the consequences. |
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kylee07drg
Post 3 |
After giving birth to her fifth child at age 35, my friend had a hysterectomy. She would have just had her tubes tied, but the doctors found what they believed to be cancer on her uterus.
She became extremely depressed. I didn’t hear from her for months after her surgery. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. She had always placed her value as a person in her ability to have children and be a good mother. Now, that was taken away from her.
Eventually, her husband got her to focus on their newborn and place her joy in him. She distracted herself from a barren future by throwing all her energy into raising her new baby. |
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KaBoom
Post 2 |
@starrynight - One of my friends told me that her great-grandmother had a hysterectomy for some really ridiculous reason. Apparently her doctor talked her into it, but now days she probably wouldn't even be offered a hysterectomy. Oh, and, you guessed it, she was a poor woman with a lot of children!
Seriously though, a hysterectomy sounds like it would be life changing. Imagine having to get a hysterectomy for cancer or something like that? You could potentially got through menopause in your twenties! I hope women in that kind of situation are urged to get counseling because I think they probably need it.
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starrynight
Post 1 |
The decision to get a hysterectomy definitely shouldn't be taken lightly. It sounds like serious emotional changes occur afterward that the patient really needs to be prepared for.
I actually read somewhere that doctors used to do hysterectomies a lot more than they are done today. In less enlightened times, doctors would just do them to poor or "lower class" women who had a lot of children at some point after they gave birth and make up a reason.
Obviously this doesn't happen anymore, but I feel really badly for those women. It's one thing to get a hysterectomy when you're prepared, but to just wake up from having a c-section or something and hear "by the way, we took out your uterus too"? Horrible! |
