Sleeping well after a hysterectomy is harder than most women expect. Your tummy is sore, turning over takes planning, you may wake up hot or needing the bathroom, and the pain medicine that helps during the day can leave your nights broken. The good news is that there is no single “correct” position you have…
“Swelly belly” is the nickname many patients use for the puffy, tight, bloated lower belly that often shows up after a hysterectomy. Your belly may look rounder than before, your waistband may feel tight, and you may wonder whether something has gone wrong. In most cases it is part of normal healing: the bowel slows…
Surgical menopause is the menopause that starts when both ovaries are removed in an operation called a bilateral oophorectomy. It often happens together with a hysterectomy, but it is not caused by the hysterectomy itself: taking out the uterus ends periods, while taking out the ovaries ends the body’s main supply of estrogen. Because that…
A hysterectomy is a good operation when it is the right one, but for most non-cancerous problems it is not the only choice. Fibroids, heavy periods, adenomyosis, endometriosis and prolapse can all be treated in ways that keep the uterus, and guidelines in the US and the UK ask doctors to offer these options before,…
Almost every hysterectomy for a non-cancer condition is “elective” in the medical sense: it is planned ahead rather than done as an emergency. What most people mean when they search for an elective hysterectomy, though, is something narrower: can you have your uterus removed because you want it out, even if a doctor does not…
A robotic hysterectomy is a keyhole operation to remove the uterus in which the surgeon controls the instruments from a console using a robotic system. It is often called a da Vinci hysterectomy, after the most widely used system. The name makes it sound futuristic, but the robot does not operate on its own: every…
Sitting sounds like the easy part of recovery, but in the first days after a hysterectomy, getting into a chair, staying there and getting back up can all feel awkward. The good news is that sitting does not harm your internal stitches, and a few simple habits make it much more comfortable. This guide covers…
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus (womb). It is one of the most common operations in women, but it is rarely the only option. Most hysterectomies are done for conditions that are not cancer: fibroids, heavy periods, endometriosis, adenomyosis and prolapse. For these, the NHS describes hysterectomy as something to consider when…
Being told you have an ovarian cyst after a hysterectomy can be confusing, and a little alarming. If your uterus is gone, how can something still be growing there? The short answer: if your ovaries were kept, they are still working, and working ovaries can form cysts. Most of these cysts are harmless. This guide…
Back pain is a common complaint in the weeks after a hysterectomy, and most of the time it’s part of normal recovery: the way you lay on the operating table, the way you hold your body to protect the incision, and the days of moving less than usual. It usually improves steadily as you heal….
Tubal ligation and hysterectomy are often mentioned in the same breath because both end the chance of pregnancy. They are very different operations, though. Tubal sterilization is a short procedure on the fallopian tubes, done mainly for birth control. A hysterectomy removes the uterus and is done to treat a medical problem such as fibroids,…
If your uterus was removed but your ovaries were left in place, you did not go into menopause on the day of surgery. Your ovaries keep making estrogen and progesterone, and they keep doing so until they wind down on their own schedule, which in the United States happens at an average age of 51.[1]…
Hysterectomy is a frequently performed surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed, typically to address uterine conditions like fibroids or endometriosis, or reproductive organ-related cancers. While it can provide relief from certain medical issues, it’s essential to comprehend its potential impact on the body, specifically with regards to hormonal changes and the possibility of…
In the ever-evolving field of gynecologic surgery, technological advancements have paved the way for innovative procedures that prioritize patient well-being and faster recovery. One such procedure, vNotes hysterectomy, has emerged as a groundbreaking technique in the realm of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. This blog  post explores the intricacies of vNotes hysterectomy, its advantages over traditional…
If fibroids are causing heavy periods, pain or pressure and medicines have not helped enough, the two operations you are most likely to hear about are a myomectomy and a hysterectomy. A myomectomy removes the fibroids and keeps the uterus. A hysterectomy removes the uterus, and the fibroids with it. Neither is “better” for everyone….
Yeast infections are a common concern for many women, and they can occur after undergoing a hysterectomy. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the connection between hysterectomy and such infections, delve into the causes and symptoms,  and discuss various treatment options available. So, if you’ve experienced a vaginal thrush after a hysterectomy or simply want to…
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) is a surgical technique that removes the uterus using small incisions in the abdomen and vagina. It combines the advantages of laparoscopy and vaginal hysterectomy, leading to less pain, faster recovery, Â and fewer complications compared to traditional abdominal hysterectomy. This article delves into the intricacies of LAVH, including the procedure…
Whether you still need Pap smears after a hysterectomy depends on two questions: was your cervix removed, and have you ever had cervical precancer or cancer? If the cervix was taken out and the surgery was for a benign reason such as fibroids, endometriosis or heavy bleeding, U.S. guidelines say you can stop cervical cancer…
Some pain in the first weeks after a hysterectomy is expected. But pain that seems to come from one side of the pelvis, that keeps coming back in a monthly pattern, or that appears months or years later is a different story, and it’s understandably worrying. If your ovaries were kept, they are still working,…
Heavy menstrual bleeding can significantly impact the quality of life for women, often requiring medical intervention for effective management. Two commonly considered treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding are Mirena IUD (intrauterine device) and hysterectomy. This case study aims to compare these approaches, discussing their effectiveness, benefits, Â and potential drawbacks, ultimately providing insights into the…
A hysterectomy removes the uterus, so you can no longer carry a pregnancy. That part is final. What it does not always take away is the chance of having a child who is genetically yours. If your ovaries were kept, they usually go on making eggs, and those eggs can be collected through IVF and…
A hysterectomy does not make you gain weight or lose weight by itself. The uterus has no role in metabolism, and removing it does not change how your body burns calories. What research does show is a modest tendency to gain weight in the years after surgery, a larger effect when both ovaries are removed…
After a hysterectomy, many women quietly wonder about the same things: when is it safe to touch myself again, will orgasm still feel the same, and what if something hurts? Self-stimulation (masturbation) is a normal, healthy part of sexuality, and for some women it’s a gentle way to reconnect with their body after surgery before…
Introduction The uncommon disease known as vaginal cancer affects the muscular tract that connects the uterus to the external genitalia. It typically affects women over the age of 60, and exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) or the human papillomavirus (HPV infection) may be the cause. As a consequence of vaginal cancer, the vaginal area may bleed,…
If you live with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and years of irregular or heavy periods, acne, unwanted hair or fertility treatment have worn you down, it is natural to wonder whether a hysterectomy would end it all. The short answer is no: a hysterectomy does not cure PCOS. PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition…
Being told you have “abnormal cells” on your cervix and need a LEEP can be unsettling, especially if someone has also mentioned the word hysterectomy. The reassuring part is that LEEP is a short, common procedure that removes the problem in most people with one treatment. Hysterectomy is rarely needed for cervical dysplasia, and guidelines…
I. Introduction Vaginal hysterectomy is a type of surgery that involves removing the uterus through the vagina. It’s a relatively common procedure that has been around for over a century. In fact, the first vaginal hysterectomy was performed way back in 1853! Over the years the technique has evolved, and now it’s considered a safe…
Most guides to hysterectomy stop at the six-week check-up. But many of the questions women ask come later: why am I still tired at three months, is it normal to feel low, what is in the space where my uterus was, and will this operation affect my health in five or ten years? This guide…
Hysterectomy is one of the main treatments for early cervical cancer, but it is not the only one, and it is not always the best one. Whether surgery is offered, and which kind, depends mostly on the stage of the cancer: how big the tumor is and whether it has spread. For some small tumors…
What Happens to Sperm After a Hysterectomy? One common question that many women have is where does sperm go after hysterectomy. The answer is straightforward: after a hysterectomy, the remaining areas of your reproductive tract are separated from your abdominal cavity. This means that sperm has nowhere to go and is eventually expelled from your…
Hormone Replacement Therapy Hormone therapy is often recommended after a hysterectomy to help manage menopausal symptoms and may have other health benefits. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a woman’s uterus. If a woman’s ovaries are also removed during a hysterectomy, she will experience menopause immediately. If her ovaries are…
If a hysterectomy has been suggested to you, you probably have a long list of questions. This page answers the 12 we hear most often, in plain language and with sources at the end. Each answer is short on purpose: where a topic needs more space, we link to a full guide. Every situation is…
Many women with endometriosis are told, at some point, that a hysterectomy will “fix it.” The truth is more complicated. Removing the uterus can help some people a great deal, but endometriosis grows mostly outside the uterus, so a hysterectomy on its own does not remove the disease.[1][2] What matters most is what else is…
What your scar looks like after a hysterectomy depends mostly on one thing: how the surgery was done. An open (abdominal) operation leaves one longer scar, keyhole surgery leaves a few small ones, and a vaginal hysterectomy leaves no visible scar at all. This guide shows what each type of scar usually looks like, how…
There is no single price for a hysterectomy. What you pay depends on how the operation is done, whether you stay in hospital overnight, where you live, and above all on your insurance. A woman with a good employer plan may pay a few hundred dollars, while someone without insurance can be quoted tens of…
A partial hysterectomy is surgery that removes the uterus but leaves the cervix in place. If your doctor has mentioned it, or you’ve just had one and are trying to understand what was done, this guide explains what the surgery involves, how it compares with other types of hysterectomy, what the research says about keeping…
Pelvic organ prolapse means that one or more organs in the pelvis has dropped from its usual position and pushes into the vagina. It can happen after a hysterectomy, and many women only hear about it once they notice a bulge or a heavy, dragging feeling. The good news: serious prolapse after hysterectomy is not…
Recovering from a hysterectomy is gradual, and it rarely goes in a straight line. This guide walks through what most women can expect from the first days in hospital to three months and beyond: how you’re likely to feel, what’s safe to do, and what helps. It’s based mainly on the recovery guidance of the…
If your surgeon has offered you a choice between a partial and a total hysterectomy, the decision comes down to one organ: the cervix. A partial hysterectomy (also called supracervical or subtotal) removes the body of the uterus and leaves the cervix in place. A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and the cervix together. Many…
Is hysterectomy related to obesity? There is a very important study due to the number of patients it included, published in the 2013 Journal of Obesity. It was a study published by Dr. Gibson of the University of Pittsburgh. She compared two groups, a group of women who had natural menopause and another group of…
The weeks before a hysterectomy are often a mix of relief that something is finally being done and worry about the operation and recovery. Good preparation will not take all of that away, but it does make a difference: being in better health before surgery lowers the risk of complications and can speed up recovery.[2]…
A laparoscopic hysterectomy is an operation to remove the uterus through a few small cuts in the abdomen, using a thin camera and long, narrow instruments. It is often called keyhole or minimally invasive hysterectomy. Compared with open surgery through a larger abdominal incision, most people go home sooner and get back to their usual…