Life After a Hysterectomy

If you need a hysterectomy, it’s normal to have concerns about hysterectomy recovery and what to expect in the months and years ahead. The goal of any hysterectomy is to improve the woman’s health and overall quality of life. Life after a hysterectomy will have some differences, but the biggest change will be improvement of the symptoms or condition that created the need for surgery.

Short-term concerns after a hysterectomy

For most women, the most immediate concern is pain during the hysterectomy recovery phase. The discomfort can last three to six weeks, depending on the type of surgery performed. Some women experience difficulty emptying their bladder, but this should resolve within a few weeks.

Emotionally, the surgery can have an impact on women who are grieving the loss of being able to become pregnant. Our San Antonio OBGYNs are available to discuss any of these concerns with you, and can recommend helpful resources to help you get back to living a joyful life after a hysterectomy.

Long-term changes are part of life after a hysterectomy

After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have a period. Whether you go into “surgical menopause” and begin experiencing menopause symptoms depends on whether you have your ovaries removed during the hysterectomy. If only your uterus is removed, your hormone levels aren’t affected, and you won’t immediately go into menopause. If your ovaries are also removed, you will likely experience menopause symptoms.

It is important to note that menopause can result in bone density decreasing at a slightly faster rate, which can lead to osteoporosis later in life. This is why regular bone density scans may become part of your life after a hysterectomy.

If you do enter menopause early due to a hysterectomy, there are treatment options to slow the decrease in bone density, so be sure to discuss potential long-term health concerns with our San Antonio OBGYNs.

Impacts on sex life after hysterectomy recovery

People are often concerned about how a hysterectomy will affect their sexual desire and experience. The good news is that there is no direct correlation between hysterectomy and sexual desire. In fact, if you were experiencing pain prior to your hysterectomy, you may find you have increased interest in sex after surgery because you feel better.

Some women experience vaginal dryness, which can make intercourse uncomfortable. Our San Antonio OBGYNS can provide information and treatment options to make sex after recovery more enjoyable.

Within a few months, you can expect to be able to resume a full, active life after a hysterectomy. For more detailed information about the different types of hysterectomy and the procedure, visit our hysterectomy page.

Our San Antonio OBGYNs want you to fully understand hysterectomy recovery and what you can expect after surgery, and can provide answers to your specific questions and health concerns. Contact Legacy Women’s Health for an appointment with our San Antonio OBGYNs.