There are some medical conditions in women that can be treated only by a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed. It may be necessary to perform this procedure for cases like fibroids, cancer, heavy bleeding, and other diseases that concern the reproductive system of a woman.

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 during a hysterectomy can no longer become pregnant, as menopause starts immediately after undergoing the procedure.

But how do women already in the menopause stage respond to a hysterectomy? Are there different effects of hysterectomy after menopause compared to having the hysterectomy before menopause? Well, it’s possible for women who have hysterectomy after menopause to either encounter considerable changes in their body or not.

A woman goes into post menopause after undergoing a complete hysterectomy where the fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries, and uterus are removed. At this point, the woman’s body ceases to produce progesterone and estrogen. This, in turn, increases the testosterone level in the body, causing some masculine features to manifest. These include an increased growth of hair on the chin and on the upper lip.

Other effects of a complete hysterectomy are the buildup of fat in the thighs, hips, and abdomen. The risk of osteoporosis also increases, and some women may continue to experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes, which may be treated with hormone replacement therapy.

Psychological effects are immediately experienced by a woman who has undergone a hysterectomy after menopause. However, the bouts of depression that she experiences are mild and short-lived. Women who undergo hysterectomy after menopause usually don’t experience many physical or psychological changes because the ovaries have stopped working by this time and having them removed doesn’t matter anymore.

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One side effect that women experience after undergoing hysterectomy is depression.

However, a lot of studies have shown an overall improvement in women’s moods after undergoing hysterectomy. Women tend to feel better psychologically, socially, and sexually after a hysterectomy, and this is regardless of whether they already suffered from depression before the surgery or not.

Of course, there are still some women who are bound to experience depression after hysterectomy. In these cases, the depression might be caused by any of the following:

* A woman tends to feel incomplete due to the loss of her uterus.

* A woman might feel that her health is more vulnerable after undergoing the surgery.

* Women tend to worry that the surgery will have a negative effect on their personal relationships.

* A woman’s sexual life is another area which a woman fears might change.

* A woman might feel saddened by the loss of her capability to bear children along with the loss of her uterus. This is whether or not she still wants to have children.

Depression after hysterectomy is usually just a phase that a woman goes through after undergoing the procedure. As her body heals, the depressed feelings also eventually go away.

However, you should still remain watchful if signs of depression after hysterectomy remain for a prolonged period of time. It may not fade on its own, especially when the depression has underlying biological and chemical causes. It should be noted that depression can be experienced by anyone regardless of age and race. Its duration, frequency, and treatment may also vary. It is then important for you to consult your doctor before things get out of hand.

Other causes for depression after hysterectomy aside from stress and disease are heredity, as well as a chemical and neurotransmitter imbalance in the bran. In addition, the removal of the ovaries during the hysterectomy can result in hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which, in turn, can cause depression after the surgery.

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Radical Hysterectomy is a procedure where the surgeon removes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, the pelvic tissue around the cervix, lymph nodes and channels, and the upper portion of the vagina. This is used for the treatment of cervical cancer or, if the cancer has spread beyond the cervix, the endometrium.

Compared to other types of hysterectomy, a radical hysterectomy calls for a longer period of stay in the hospital, and a longer period of recovery. Complications may also arise from the operation, such as damage to some internal organs.

Given the complexity of this procedure, it is then best to go into it prepared. Here are some things you should keep in mind if you’re about to undergo a radical hysterectomy:

Expect some side effects from the radical hysterectomy. These would include swelling in the feet and legs, as well as numbness in the upper legs, lower abdomen, and the area around the incision.

2. As the period of recovery will interfere with daily responsibilities in work and the like, contingency measures must be taken.

You will experience menopausal symptoms after undergoing a radical hysterectomy. These symptoms would include mood swings, night sweats, and hot flashes among others.

Menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats would manifest after operation.

Hospital stay may be extended, so be prepared for such an event.

Refrain from smoking or stop it altogether prior to undergoing a radical hysterectomy. Smoking thins the blood, which can prevent you from easily clotting.

Make necessary arrangements for duties and activities that will be affected during your period of recovery, as it may last around three months.

With the recovery period lasting around three months, make the necessary arrangements for the activities and responsibilities you won’t be able to perform during this period.

Note that a radical hysterectomy won’t stop you from being sexually active.

The good news is that this operation won’t prevent you from being sexually active.

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Recovery after hysterectomy depends on the kind of surgery performed on the patient, as well as the facility and technology used by the doctor. These things basically determines the speed of healing process the patient will have.

Recovery after hysterectomy is longer if it is done through abdominal surgery than laparoscopy. Abdominal surgery which is usually done due to cancer requires the removal of the uterus and other organs such as the ovaries. While laparoscopy is only done through a small incision in the abdomen which heals after only few days. Much more than the physical healing, is the psychological and emotional recovery which sometimes take even longer period.

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.

Here are some of the dos during hysterectomy recovery period:

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

Do limit movement.

Do move in slow pace.

Consult the doctor immediately if experiencing heavy bleeding or pus coming from either vaginal or abdominal incisions.

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

Refrain from bending too much.

Avoid taking in aspirins.

Limit intake of dairy products.

Have a regular healthy diet.

Take complete vitamins.

Drinks lots of water.

Here are the things that a patient should not do after hysterectomy surgery.

Do not resume sexual activity after the hysterectomy surgery until advised to do so by your doctor.

After hysterectomy, do not carry objects weighing ten pounds or more for at least six weeks.

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

Do not be hasty to carry on with your activities at home.

Until the doctor advised so, do not drive yet.

Do not climb through stair right away.

Avoid drinking alcoholic drinks too much.

Know the important things to do during posthysterectomy. Know when to resume sex after hysterectomy.