Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that is undertaken to treat certain problems with a woman’s reproductive system. It involves the removal of the uterus and is performed to treat conditions such as excessive bleeding, fibroids, cancer, and others.

In the treatment of cancer, for example, it may be required to remove the uterus. The other reproductive organs, namely the fallopian tubes, the cervix, and the ovaries, may also be removed so that the cancer doesn’t spread. The same may be performed to treat excessive bleeding.

A woman whose ovaries are removed immediately goes into menopause after the hysterectomy. In turn, this makes her incapable of bearing children.

But what are the effects of hysterectomy for a woman who’s already in the menopause stage? Will hysterectomy after menopause have different effects on a woman? Well, the effects of hysterectomy after menopause vary among women, with some women experiencing significant changes in their bodies and others not.

Complete hysterectomy is when the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are removed. Performing a complete hysterectomy on a woman in the peri-menopause or menopause stage makes the woman go into post menopause. During this stage, the woman’s body no longer produces estrogen and progesterone, which results in the increased level of testosterone in the body. This can cause some masculine features such as more hair growth on the upper lip and chin to appear.

In addition, women who have undergone a complete hysterectomy after menopause can experience more fat buildup on the hips, thighs, and abdomen. Moreover, it may be necessary for the woman to undergo hormone replacement therapy to relieve bouts of hot flashes and other vasomotor symptoms.

Although a woman who has undergone a hysterectomy after menopause experiences immediate psychological effects afterward, she usually experiences only mild bouts of depression, which are fleeting. It is seldom for a woman already in the post menopause stage to experience great psychological or physical changes. The ovaries are no longer functioning by this time, and their removal no longer has any effects.

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The speed of recovery after hysterectomy can differ among patients. The hysterectomy recovery period will basically depend on the type of hysterectomy performed, as well as the technique used for performing the surgery.

If for example the reason of hysterectomy surgery s due to cancer, the patient can expect a longer recovery period. Usually during this case, abdominal hysterectomy is needed because other part of the reproductive organ such as the ovaries are removed as well. Laparoscopy assisted hysterectomy surgery on the other hand, usually only takes about a week or shorter. Aside from physical healing, recovery also refers to emotional and psychological healing.

It takes about two months for a patient who have undergone abdominal hysterectomy to fully recover and resume to her daily routine while it only takes about 2 weeks for a patient to go back to her usual activities if the hysterectomy is only done through laparoscopy. The difference lies in the size of the incision. Laparoscopy requires smaller incision than abdominal hysterectomy.

If you’ve just undergone hysterectomy, here are some dos during the hysterectomy recovery period:

Ask you doctor for a medicine that you can take to ease pain.

Do not move too much.

Do move slowly.

Do seek medical care when you experience excessive bleeding, or if there is excessive pus from your either your abdominal and/or vaginal incisions.

Use heating pads when sleeping but don’t let it come to direct contact with your skin.

Do not bend frequently.

Avoid taking in aspirins.

Avoid eating dairy based foods.

Do eat healthy and regularly.

Take multiple vitamins.

Do drink plenty of water.

Here are the don’ts during recovery period.

After hysterectomy, do not carry on with sexual activity unless advised by the surgeon.

Do not lift things that weigh ten pounds or more for at least six weeks after the surgery.

Do not swim or bathe in tubs for at least six weeks after hysterectomy.

Do not resume house chore activities right away.

Until the doctor advised so, do not drive yet.

Do not climb the stairs.

Prohibit intake of alcohol-based drinks.

Are you in hysterectomy recovery period? Understand the reasons of post hysterectomy depression and anxiety.

Abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the uterus through an incision on the lower abdomen. The cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes may also be removed if the patient’s condition calls for it.

Though a woman may still engage herself in sexual activity after the surgery, he will no longer have menstrual period and can no longer bear a child. For those who are using contraceptives, hysterectomy procedure may become an advantage because of this. A woman will not age prematurely after hysterectomy either and the space that the vacated by the organs removed through hysterectomy will be occupied by the bowel.

Just take note thought if hysterectomy will be the only treatment that you may need for your condition or if you may need another treatment after the procedure.

Types of Abdominal Hysterectomy

Abdominal hysterectomy is composed of three different types of procedures. It includes: subtotal, total with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and total hysterectomy.

Subtotal abdominal hysterectomy is when only the uterus is removed and the cervix is kept. This procedure has its advantages which includes faster surgery procedure, shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, minimal possibility of organ damage and vaginal prolapse, and less chance of having fever. On other hand, a patient may still experience spotting after the surgery because of the remaining endometrial tissue in the cervix. Moreover, the patient is also at risk of having cancer from the cervix that is left in the vagina.

A total abdominal hysterectomy is when both the uterus and the cervix are removed, while a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is when the ovaries and the fallopian tubes are removed along with the uterus and the cervix.

When Abdominal Hysterectomy is Needed

Abdominal hysterectomy is needed for some common reasons:

Cervical Cancer Excessive bleeding of the uterus Fibroids Cervical cancer

What to Do Before an Abdominal Hysterectomy

It would help a lot if a patient will undergo hysterectomy in good condition and mind set. Here are some tips how to be prepared for the surgery.

Stop taking contraceptive pills at least 4 weeks before the hysterectomy surgery. It is also important to quit smoking cigarette at least seven days before the hysterectomy. Taking blood thinning medications should also be stopped. Settle necessary things at home and at work because you are expected to be away for few days for recovery period after hysterectomy.

Things To Be Done After Abdominal Hysterectomy

Here are things you can do right after the operation:

Take pain killers prescribed by your doctor to deal with the pain brought about by the surgery. If bleeding still persist at home with unusual smelly discharge, consult your doctor immediately. Refrain from using tampons and use sanitary pads instead for vaginal bleeding after the surgery.

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