6 Side effects after hysterectomy surgery

Hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus which is usually performed when a woman has certain problems with her uterus. Yes, this removal is necessary in order to prevent complications from other diseases. A hysterectomy will be recommended if you have fibroids, endometriosis, or cancer. So, it's best if before doing a hysterectomy, first understand the various side effects that can arise afterward.

Side effects of surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy)

An operation to remove certain organs of course has side effects. Some people may experience psychological and physical effects during the process of recovering from the removal of the uterus.

1. Physical impact

In the recovery process, you may experience spots for a few days after surgery. This is perfectly normal and it is advisable to wear pads while this recovery process is taking place. In addition to the spots, here are some side effects of hysterectomy that you should pay attention to on the incision scar.

Feel pain
Swelling and redness of the skin
Itching and burning sensation
Numbness in your feet.

In addition, another side effect is feeling the symptoms of menopause. If you do a complete removal of the uterus, of course your ovaries are also removed.

2. Symptoms of menopause for several years

After a hysterectomy, of course, the permanent side effect that you experience is menopause. However, it turns out that the symptoms of this condition will continue to appear for several years for some women. This is caused by changes in the hormone estrogen in your body.

Feeling a sudden burning sensation
Dry vagina
Night sweats
Insomnia
Decreased sex drive
Feeling pain during intercourse.

3. Psychological impact

The uterus is one of the most important organs for women. With this operation, of course, your chances of getting pregnant are closed. Sadness and conflicting feelings about this condition are often side effects of hysterectomy.

Therefore, consult your doctor to find out if this is really the way you should choose to restore your health.

4. Sexual problems

After the operation, you are strongly advised not to have sex for 6 weeks. Some people experience different effects after this procedure. Some feel that their sex drive is actually increased or just normal. Some others actually experience a decrease in arousal, orgasm frequency, and actually feel pain when having sex.

A study revealed that hysterectomy had bad side effects in some women. They experience a drastic decrease in libido. However, most of them actually feel a positive impact on their sexual life.

In addition, quoted from Verywellhealth, a study in 2014, found that 10-20% of women experienced decreased sexual function during hysterectomy due to cases of benign tumor disease.

In the case of malignant tumors, the decline in sexual function is even worse. However, further research is still needed to determine the relationship between hysterectomy and sexual problems.

5. Side effects of anesthesia

During the operation, of course, you will be given anesthesia so you don't feel pain. Well, the effect that occurs afterward is an unstable mood, fatigue, or feeling tired for several days. You may also feel nauseous. Therefore, tell your doctor about these symptoms to be given a prescription of medication according to your complaint.