Life after a hysterectomy will involve a few physical and emotional adjustments. These adjustments are expected and typically experienced after permanent body alterations.
At the height of it, many women can experience stress that deters their recovery, especially if they don’t have the strategies to meet these adjustments. Thus, effectively recovering from a hysterectomy in a way that maintains overall quality of life requires you to learn and practice these strategies.
Below are the best tips from our OB-GYN specialists, covering physical symptoms like hormonal shifts and the spectrum of emotions that come with this significant change.
Physical and Emotional Adjustments After Hysterectomy
Before we discuss strategies, we will first discuss what to expect after undergoing a hysterectomy. Following the procedure, your body shifts to adapt to the new changes, and you’ll find yourself experiencing different ways it functions moving forward.
Think of it as a process of getting to know your body again. It will take some unlearning the old and learning new ways of caring for it. Below is what you can generally expect to shift and adjust accordingly.
1. Surgical Menopause
This physical change occurs when ovaries are removed in the process. That’s because when the ovaries are removed, the hormones that regulate your menstruation can no longer be created, thus inducing menopause even if you’re not at menopausal age yet.
You’ll start experiencing common menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and a higher risk of osteoporosis. Managing this change will typically focus on preventing these symptoms from becoming disruptive. With the guidance of your OB-GYN, you can explore hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other forms of treatment for menopause symptoms.
2. Changes in Sexual Function and Libido
Hysterectomies may also impact sexual health in many ways. Factors like hormonal imbalances and changes in the reproductive system’s structure can lead to changes in libido and sensation.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t stay sexually active after hysterectomy. Many women still enjoy sexual relations after the procedure. However, it’s worth noting that these changes might impact your overall experience of intimate relationships.
Some women report their self-esteem lessening after a hysterectomy, as they believe that it makes them less sexually desirable. From a more physical perspective, hormonal imbalances can also negatively impact sexual desire, leading them to want sex less.
3. Weight Changes
Weight gain after a hysterectomy can result from a combination of hormonal shifts and lifestyle changes during recovery.
Following a hysterectomy, especially if it involves removing the ovaries, estrogen levels drop significantly. This drop impacts female metabolism and fat distribution, potentially challenging weight management.
Moreover, you will need to rest and limit physical activity post-surgery, slowing down calorie burn and contributing to weight gain. This combination of factors means that maintaining previous weight can be more difficult after a hysterectomy without adjustments in diet and activity levels.
4. Bladder and Bowel Changes
Bladder and bowel changes after a hysterectomy can stem from adjustments in the pelvic region as it heals and adapts to the absence of the uterus. During surgery, surrounding tissues and nerves supporting bladder and bowel function may experience temporary disruption.
These disruptions could lead to symptoms like increased urinary frequency, urgency, or, in some cases, mild incontinence. Similarly, some women notice constipation or difficulty with bowel movements due to reduced pelvic floor support or post-surgical inactivity.
While these changes are often temporary, practicing pelvic floor exercises can help restore strength and control, improving bladder and bowel function over time.
5. Emotional Changes
After a hysterectomy, women may experience a range of emotional changes, including feelings of sadness, grief, or a sense of loss. These emotions are valid, especially if you feel the surgery impacts your sense of femininity or fertility.
For some, the removal of the uterus can bring relief from chronic pain or discomfort, creating a blend of emotions that can feel complex and challenging. Additionally, if the ovaries are removed, the sudden drop in estrogen can intensify mood swings, irritability, and anxiety and even lead to symptoms of depression due to abrupt hormonal changes.
These emotional shifts are a natural response to both the physical and psychological adjustments that come with such a significant surgery, and seeking support—whether from a mental health professional, supportive family and friends, or women’s support groups—can provide valuable reassurance and aid in a more balanced recovery.
Life After Hysterectomy: How You Can Adjust
Hysterectomy offers a long-term solution for women experiencing disruptive reproductive issues like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and others. However, due to its permanent nature, you will need time to adjust to the changes it causes in your body to live a fulfilling life after surgery.
Practicing the strategies below can help you achieve this.
1. Maintain an Active Lifestyle
Gradually reintroducing physical activity after a hysterectomy offers several physical and emotional benefits during your adjustment period.
Even by simply starting with gentle exercises like walking, you can improve stiffness and promote circulation, which, in turn, helps speed up healing and recovery. Additionally, light stretching enables you to stay flexible, reducing post-surgical discomfort and strengthening core muscles that may have weakened due to surgery.
As healing progresses and with your OB-GYN’s approval, yoga and low-impact cardio can be introduced to build up your stamina. This will minimize stress and allow you to take advantage of exercise’s benefits in mood regulation.
Furthermore, regular exercise also helps you manage potential weight gain and enhance pelvic floor stability, which is essential for bladder and bowel health. Starting slowly and listening to your body can help ensure a safe and gradual return to activity that strengthens physical and mental resilience.
2. Diet and Nutrition for Recovery
A balanced diet plays a crucial role in recovery after a hysterectomy, supporting the body’s healing and helping to restore energy levels. Eating fibrous food like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can reduce the risk of constipation, a standard postoperative concern. It would help if you also increase your intake of high-quality proteins, essential to tissue repair and muscle recovery. Strive to eat lean meat, fish, beans, and nuts to achieve this.
For women experiencing hormonal shifts, particularly those entering early menopause, increasing their intake of calcium and vitamin D is essential to maintaining healthy bone density. These can be sourced from dairy products, fortified juices, and leafy greens.
Lastly, staying hydrated is essential to maintaining energy levels, supporting tissue repair, and metabolic function. Additional help from a nutritionist can provide more personalized guidance on dietary choices that align with your recovery and long-term health goals.
3. Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRTs can be an effective option for managing the hormonal changes many women experience after a hysterectomy, particularly if the ovaries are removed. By supplementing estrogen and sometimes progesterone, HRT can help ease disruptive menopause symptoms.
READ ALSO: Benefits of Hormone Therapy for Women
Additionally, HRT supports bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis, especially for women entering early menopause. Under a doctor’s supervision, HRT can be tailored to each woman’s needs, with ongoing monitoring to adjust dosage as necessary for optimal results.
Consulting a physician is essential to determine if HRT aligns with personal health needs, ensuring a safe and comfortable post-surgery transition.
4. Reclaiming Quality of Life and Sexual Health
Reclaiming quality of life and sexual health after your hysterectomy is a gradual process. Hence, it’s important to be patient with yourself, give yourself compassion, and communicate openly with your partner during this time.
Experiencing libido and desire varies among women, but if you’ve been particularly bothered about the change, various strategies can help. Pelvic floor therapy, for instance, helps ease physical discomfort as it strengthens and improves flexibility, thereby reducing pain.
Counseling or support groups can also provide emotional support, helping women navigate the psychological aspects of these changes. With tailored medical guidance and open dialogue, many women can fully enjoy intimate relationships, fostering a renewed sense of connection and well-being.
Building a Fulfilling Post-Surgery Life
Life after a hysterectomy offers renewed well-being, provided with care and thoughtful adjustments. Understanding the physical changes—from weight fluctuations to hormone shifts—and finding ways to support emotional health, like connecting with support networks, can make this transition smoother.
You can enhance comfort and quality of life by embracing an active lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet, and exploring hormone replacement options. Addressing any concerns with intimacy and self-image allows women to reclaim their sense of self fully.
For tailored guidance and compassionate support, Northside/Northpoint OB-GYN is dedicated to helping you thrive after a hysterectomy. Contact our team for a consultation to discuss any questions or personalized needs on this important journey toward a fulfilling post-surgery life.
