Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsPossible Future SurgeriesLifestyle AdjustmentsNext in Hysterectomy GuideHysterectomy: Overview
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Possible Future Surgeries
Lifestyle Adjustments
Next in Hysterectomy Guide
Ahysterectomyis a common and generally safe surgery that entails removing a woman’s uterus. The surgery has many potential benefits (e.g., relief of symptoms like pain or bleeding).You may experience various long-term changes after hysterectomy as well. These can includesymptoms of menopause(if yourovarieswere also removed) and changes in mood or sex drive. Rare complications that may necessitate future surgeries can also occur.fizkes / Getty ImagesBenefits of SurgeryThe main benefit of a hysterectomy is the treatment of the underlying health problem, such as:FibroidsEndometriosisUterine prolapseAbnormal uterine bleedingGynecological cancerEndometrial hyperplasiaWith the surgery comes the relief of uncomfortable or unpleasant symptoms associated with the underlying condition, like vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain.In addition, research suggests that a woman who undergoes a hysterectomy, along with the removal of her ovaries andfallopian tubes, may have a lower risk of developing cancer.Conditions That Can Affect the UterusPreventive CareAfter your hysterectomy, it’s important to continue seeing your healthcare provider for your regular gynecologic and preventive care. Depending on the type of hysterectomy you have, and the reason it was performed, you still may need pelvic examsand cervical cancer screening.The American Cancer Society guidelines for cervical cancer screening after a hysterectomy include the following:Total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix): People can stopundergoing cervical cancer screenings (e.g.,Pap smearsandHPV tests) unless the hysterectomy was performed to treat cervical cancer or pre-cancer.Supra-cervical hysterectomy:People should continue to undergo regular cervical cancer screenings as this surgery does not remove the cervix.Possible Future SurgeriesWhile a hysterectomy is generally a very safe surgery, future surgical procedures may be indicated if complications (which are rare) arise, or if the hysterectomy was performed to treat cancer.What to Expect After a Hysterectomy: Scars and AftercareComplicationsShort-term complications, like a superficial skin infection orabscessformation (a collection of infected fluid), may require antibiotics or surgical drainage.Other complications that may require surgical repair include:Injury to the intestines or bladderFormation of afistula(an abnormal connection between two tissues)Pelvic organ prolapseVaginal cuff dehiscenceWith vaginal cuff dehiscence, the vaginal cuff—the incision site where the vagina was once connected to the cervix and uterus, which was sutured closed during a hysterectomy—separates.This type of complication, while very rare, is more common with a laparoscopic hysterectomy than an open procedure.Gynecological CancerIf a woman undergoes a hysterectomy for cancer, such as uterine orovarian cancer, she may need to have another surgery to check for cancer in thelymph nodeswithin the pelvis. This type of surgical procedure is called a lymph node dissection.Lifestyle AdjustmentsIn order to move forward with your life after a hysterectomy, there are a few lifestyle adjustments you may need to undergo.Menopause SymptomsIf you have not already gone throughmenopausenaturally and your ovaries are also removed when you have your hysterectomy, your body goes through what is known as surgical menopause.As a result, you will no longer menstruate and will experience symptoms of menopause, such as:Hot flashesNight sweatsInsomniaVaginal drynessSkin thinningDue to the loss of estrogen production from your ovaries, you will be at a higher risk for developing bone loss (osteoporosis). This means that you are at a higher risk for developing a bone break (fracture). You are also at an increased risk ofheart disease, which affects all post-menopausal women.To ease symptoms of surgical menopause and to lower your risk for developing osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may recommend hormone therapy.Hormone Replacement Therapy: What to KnowEmotional Well-BeingWomen who have undergone a hysterectomy (regardless if their ovaries were removed or not) are at a higher risk for developing depression.In addition to depression, some women may grieve their loss of fertility.This feeling of loss is normal, can be profound, and should not be discounted.If you are experiencingsymptoms of depression, like feeling sad most days and/or losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, be sure to see your healthcare provider. You may benefit from seeing a therapist, taking a medication for depression, or a combination of the two.Consider Joining a Hysterectomy Support GroupConnecting with other women who have undergone a hysterectomy may provide you with comfort and emotional support. Your healthcare provider or hospital may be able to recommend a local group.Sex Drive and FunctioningResearch shows that a woman’s sex drive after a hysterectomy tends to actually be the same or better, perhaps due to a reduction in symptoms like pain or bleeding. Every woman is different, however, and some women do notice a reduced libido after surgery.Besides a change in sex drive, some women experience physical changes that affect their sexual functioning, such as:Difficulty reaching orgasmDecreased vaginal sensationVaginal shorteningLoss of vaginal lubricationIf you are experiencing a loss of sexual desire or functioning after your hysterectomy, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and treatment plan. Your healthcare provider can discuss several therapies with you, including non-medication and medication options like:Sexual education and partner involvementPelvic floor physical therapyVaginal lubricants and moisturizersSex therapyLocal estrogen therapy, like Estrace (estradiol vaginal cream) or Estring (estradiol vaginal ring)Osphena (ospemifene), a prescription oral medication used to treat pain during sexual intercourse in post-menopausal womenImproving Your Sex Life After MenopauseA Word From VerywellMost women are happy with and do very well after their hysterectomy. That said, if you are worried about your long-term recovery, have questions, or are currently experiencing undesirable side effects, please do not hesitate to reach out to your treatment team.
Ahysterectomyis a common and generally safe surgery that entails removing a woman’s uterus. The surgery has many potential benefits (e.g., relief of symptoms like pain or bleeding).
You may experience various long-term changes after hysterectomy as well. These can includesymptoms of menopause(if yourovarieswere also removed) and changes in mood or sex drive. Rare complications that may necessitate future surgeries can also occur.
fizkes / Getty Images
Benefits of Surgery
The main benefit of a hysterectomy is the treatment of the underlying health problem, such as:
With the surgery comes the relief of uncomfortable or unpleasant symptoms associated with the underlying condition, like vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain.
In addition, research suggests that a woman who undergoes a hysterectomy, along with the removal of her ovaries andfallopian tubes, may have a lower risk of developing cancer.
Conditions That Can Affect the Uterus
Preventive Care
After your hysterectomy, it’s important to continue seeing your healthcare provider for your regular gynecologic and preventive care. Depending on the type of hysterectomy you have, and the reason it was performed, you still may need pelvic examsand cervical cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society guidelines for cervical cancer screening after a hysterectomy include the following:
While a hysterectomy is generally a very safe surgery, future surgical procedures may be indicated if complications (which are rare) arise, or if the hysterectomy was performed to treat cancer.
What to Expect After a Hysterectomy: Scars and Aftercare
Complications
Short-term complications, like a superficial skin infection orabscessformation (a collection of infected fluid), may require antibiotics or surgical drainage.
Other complications that may require surgical repair include:
With vaginal cuff dehiscence, the vaginal cuff—the incision site where the vagina was once connected to the cervix and uterus, which was sutured closed during a hysterectomy—separates.This type of complication, while very rare, is more common with a laparoscopic hysterectomy than an open procedure.
Gynecological Cancer
If a woman undergoes a hysterectomy for cancer, such as uterine orovarian cancer, she may need to have another surgery to check for cancer in thelymph nodeswithin the pelvis. This type of surgical procedure is called a lymph node dissection.
In order to move forward with your life after a hysterectomy, there are a few lifestyle adjustments you may need to undergo.
Menopause Symptoms
If you have not already gone throughmenopausenaturally and your ovaries are also removed when you have your hysterectomy, your body goes through what is known as surgical menopause.
As a result, you will no longer menstruate and will experience symptoms of menopause, such as:
Due to the loss of estrogen production from your ovaries, you will be at a higher risk for developing bone loss (osteoporosis). This means that you are at a higher risk for developing a bone break (fracture). You are also at an increased risk ofheart disease, which affects all post-menopausal women.
To ease symptoms of surgical menopause and to lower your risk for developing osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may recommend hormone therapy.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: What to Know
Emotional Well-Being
Women who have undergone a hysterectomy (regardless if their ovaries were removed or not) are at a higher risk for developing depression.In addition to depression, some women may grieve their loss of fertility.This feeling of loss is normal, can be profound, and should not be discounted.
If you are experiencingsymptoms of depression, like feeling sad most days and/or losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, be sure to see your healthcare provider. You may benefit from seeing a therapist, taking a medication for depression, or a combination of the two.
Consider Joining a Hysterectomy Support GroupConnecting with other women who have undergone a hysterectomy may provide you with comfort and emotional support. Your healthcare provider or hospital may be able to recommend a local group.
Consider Joining a Hysterectomy Support Group
Connecting with other women who have undergone a hysterectomy may provide you with comfort and emotional support. Your healthcare provider or hospital may be able to recommend a local group.
Sex Drive and Functioning
Research shows that a woman’s sex drive after a hysterectomy tends to actually be the same or better, perhaps due to a reduction in symptoms like pain or bleeding. Every woman is different, however, and some women do notice a reduced libido after surgery.
Besides a change in sex drive, some women experience physical changes that affect their sexual functioning, such as:
If you are experiencing a loss of sexual desire or functioning after your hysterectomy, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and treatment plan. Your healthcare provider can discuss several therapies with you, including non-medication and medication options like:
Improving Your Sex Life After Menopause
A Word From Verywell
Most women are happy with and do very well after their hysterectomy. That said, if you are worried about your long-term recovery, have questions, or are currently experiencing undesirable side effects, please do not hesitate to reach out to your treatment team.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Gaudet MM, Gapstur SM, Sun J, Teras LR, Campbell PT, Patel AV.Oophorectomy and hysterectomy and cancer incidence in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort.Obstet Gynecol.2014 Jun;123(6):1247-55. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000270.American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerLonky NM et al.Hysterectomy for benign conditions: Complications relative to surgical approach and other variables that lead to post-operative readmission within 90 days of surgery.Womens Health (Lond).2017 Aug; 13(2): 17–26. doi:10.1177/1745505717714657Lachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950Cronin B, Sung VW, Matteson KA.Vaginal cuff dehiscence: risk factors and management.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2012 Apr;206(4):284-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerSecosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically Induced Menopause—A Practical Review of Literature. Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug; 55(8): 482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Honigberg MC et al.Association of Premature Natural and Surgical Menopause With Incident Cardiovascular Disease.JAMA.2019 Nov 18. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.19191Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Danesh M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Moosazadeh M, Shabani-Asrami F.The Effect of Hysterectomy on Women’s Sexual Function: a Narrative Review.Med Arch. 2015 Dec;69(6):387-92. doi:10.5455/medarh.2015.69.387-392Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual Health in Menopause.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Sep; 55(9): 559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559Additional ReadingHilton P, Cromwell DA.The risk of vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistula after hysterectomy performed in the English National Health Service–a retrospective cohort study examining patterns of care between 2000 and 2008.BJOG. 2012 Nov;119(12):1447-54. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03474.xLachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Gaudet MM, Gapstur SM, Sun J, Teras LR, Campbell PT, Patel AV.Oophorectomy and hysterectomy and cancer incidence in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort.Obstet Gynecol.2014 Jun;123(6):1247-55. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000270.American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerLonky NM et al.Hysterectomy for benign conditions: Complications relative to surgical approach and other variables that lead to post-operative readmission within 90 days of surgery.Womens Health (Lond).2017 Aug; 13(2): 17–26. doi:10.1177/1745505717714657Lachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950Cronin B, Sung VW, Matteson KA.Vaginal cuff dehiscence: risk factors and management.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2012 Apr;206(4):284-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerSecosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically Induced Menopause—A Practical Review of Literature. Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug; 55(8): 482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Honigberg MC et al.Association of Premature Natural and Surgical Menopause With Incident Cardiovascular Disease.JAMA.2019 Nov 18. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.19191Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Danesh M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Moosazadeh M, Shabani-Asrami F.The Effect of Hysterectomy on Women’s Sexual Function: a Narrative Review.Med Arch. 2015 Dec;69(6):387-92. doi:10.5455/medarh.2015.69.387-392Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual Health in Menopause.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Sep; 55(9): 559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559Additional ReadingHilton P, Cromwell DA.The risk of vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistula after hysterectomy performed in the English National Health Service–a retrospective cohort study examining patterns of care between 2000 and 2008.BJOG. 2012 Nov;119(12):1447-54. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03474.xLachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Gaudet MM, Gapstur SM, Sun J, Teras LR, Campbell PT, Patel AV.Oophorectomy and hysterectomy and cancer incidence in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort.Obstet Gynecol.2014 Jun;123(6):1247-55. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000270.American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerLonky NM et al.Hysterectomy for benign conditions: Complications relative to surgical approach and other variables that lead to post-operative readmission within 90 days of surgery.Womens Health (Lond).2017 Aug; 13(2): 17–26. doi:10.1177/1745505717714657Lachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950Cronin B, Sung VW, Matteson KA.Vaginal cuff dehiscence: risk factors and management.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2012 Apr;206(4):284-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerSecosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically Induced Menopause—A Practical Review of Literature. Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug; 55(8): 482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482Honigberg MC et al.Association of Premature Natural and Surgical Menopause With Incident Cardiovascular Disease.JAMA.2019 Nov 18. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.19191Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Danesh M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Moosazadeh M, Shabani-Asrami F.The Effect of Hysterectomy on Women’s Sexual Function: a Narrative Review.Med Arch. 2015 Dec;69(6):387-92. doi:10.5455/medarh.2015.69.387-392Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual Health in Menopause.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Sep; 55(9): 559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
Gaudet MM, Gapstur SM, Sun J, Teras LR, Campbell PT, Patel AV.Oophorectomy and hysterectomy and cancer incidence in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort.Obstet Gynecol.2014 Jun;123(6):1247-55. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000270.
American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer
Lonky NM et al.Hysterectomy for benign conditions: Complications relative to surgical approach and other variables that lead to post-operative readmission within 90 days of surgery.Womens Health (Lond).2017 Aug; 13(2): 17–26. doi:10.1177/1745505717714657
Lachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950
Cronin B, Sung VW, Matteson KA.Vaginal cuff dehiscence: risk factors and management.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2012 Apr;206(4):284-8. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026
Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594
American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
Secosan C, Balint O, Pirtea L, Grigoras D, Bălulescu L, Ilina R.Surgically Induced Menopause—A Practical Review of Literature. Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug; 55(8): 482. doi:10.3390/medicina55080482
Honigberg MC et al.Association of Premature Natural and Surgical Menopause With Incident Cardiovascular Disease.JAMA.2019 Nov 18. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.19191
Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366
Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017
Danesh M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, Moosazadeh M, Shabani-Asrami F.The Effect of Hysterectomy on Women’s Sexual Function: a Narrative Review.Med Arch. 2015 Dec;69(6):387-92. doi:10.5455/medarh.2015.69.387-392
Scavello I, Maseroli E, Di Stasi V, Vignozzi L.Sexual Health in Menopause.Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Sep; 55(9): 559. doi:10.3390/medicina55090559
Hilton P, Cromwell DA.The risk of vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistula after hysterectomy performed in the English National Health Service–a retrospective cohort study examining patterns of care between 2000 and 2008.BJOG. 2012 Nov;119(12):1447-54. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03474.xLachiewicz MP, Moulton LJ, Jaiyeoba O.Pelvic Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery.Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol.2015; 2015: 614950. doi:10.1155/2015/614950
Hilton P, Cromwell DA.The risk of vesicovaginal and urethrovaginal fistula after hysterectomy performed in the English National Health Service–a retrospective cohort study examining patterns of care between 2000 and 2008.BJOG. 2012 Nov;119(12):1447-54. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03474.x
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