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For the majority of women a hysterectomy will a liberating experience and they will go on to lead perfectly normal lives, however for a small number the reverse may be true and we have listed a number of the risks which may be related to having a hysterectomy:
- Irritable bowel syndrome which is stress related
- Stress incontinence or other urinary symptoms
- Damage to the urethra and bowel, this may be more prevalent if the cervix is removed due to their proximity
- Prolapse of the vagina
- Back pain
- Depression
- Loss of sexual feeling and function
- Post operative infection
- Haematomia (a collection of blood under the wound)
- Thrombosis (blood clot)
- Has been known to trigger arthritis, but the reason is unknown.
Some other conditions may also re-occur, this might include, adhesions, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis. These are probably because they are all triggered by oestrogen, which the body will continue to produce naturally if a woman retains the ovaries or if a woman takes HRT if her ovaries were removed. For all of these conditions it is important to discuss with your doctor what treatment is available.
Recommended Reading:
101 Handy Hints for a Happy Hysterectomy – £7.00 (paperback)or £4.99 (ebook). This is our own best selling book written by Linda, CEO of the Hysterectomy Association. Jam packed full of useful hints, tips and advice for every stage of your hysterectomy from planning to getting back to work.
- The Pocket Guide to Hysterectomy – £3.50 from The Hysterectomy Association. This is essential reading and tell you everything you need to know about hysterectomy, it documents everything on the website, plus additional information not available elsewhere.
