Hysterectomy Side Effects
Hysterectomies are one of the most common surgical procedures performed on women. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes parts or all of the female reproductive system to treat various issues, including various forms of cancer, endometriosis, heavy vaginal bleeding, or uterine tumors. A hysterectomy can be performed either through the abdomen or through the vagina, depending on how many part of the reporductive tract are being removed, which is determined by the need for the procedure. After the hysterectomy has been performed, a woman can no longer become pregnant and she will usually go through menopause quicker.
While a hysterectomy is a necessary procedure for many women, there are several potential hysterectomy side effects that could result from the procedure. Most of the major hysterectomy side effects come from the inherent risks that major surgerys bring. The hysterectomy side effects from the procedure alone are:
These are not fairly common, and a hysterectomy is considered to be a safe procedure for most women. Your doctor will inform you if you are at a high risk to experience any of these effects.
In addition to the surgical risks, there are several hysterectomy side effects that come well after the procedure. If the ovaries are removed along with the cervix, a hormonal adjustment will be made in the body. Depending on how much is removed, the hysterectomy side effects could result in an increase in the rate of osteoporosis and heart disease. The hysterectomy side effects can be adjusted if you are allowed to take hormone supplements, but this is not recommended by many doctors, since the hysterectomy side effect solution could result in an increase in the change for hormonal based cancers.
Along with those hysterectomy side effects, there will be a drastic lifestyle switch. Since the woman is no longer producing estrogen at the level it once was, depression, mood swings, loss of sexual desire, and emotional issues can be a hysterectomy side effect. A decrease in the enjoyment of sexual stimulation is also a hysterectomy side effect. All of these hysterectomy side effects will vary on the person and the amount of the reproductive tract that is removed. It can take anywhere from two weeks to six months for hysterectomy side effects to begin to manifest, and most women will experience hysterectomy side effects to some degree.
After the hysterectomy, most women will enter menopause earlier. Since the reproductive tract, or parts of it, have been removed, the woman can no longer get pregnant and will cease to have a menstral cycle. If you are planning on having children, you should discuss this hysterectomy side effect with you doctor to see if there is an alternative solution to the condition.
You should make sure you discuss all options with your doctor before having a hysterectomy in order to avoid hysterectomy side effects. Most of the reasons for a hysterectomy have an alternative, but they may not be as effective.
