Myth 5: Hysterectomies make you age faster “A hysterectomy does not directly affect the body's aging process,” Chang says. A hysterectomy won't affect how you physically age, but it can be emotionally challenging for some people to have their uterus, cervix or ovaries removed.
Does a hysterectomy cause rapid aging? Having a hysterectomy is a big change for your body. Depending on where you are in your menopause journey, this type of procedure can cause hormonal changes resulting in different side effects. A hysterectomy by itself usually doesn't affect your hormones and aging as much.
A hysterectomy operation puts tremendous strain on the body and this can affect the nervous and immune system leading to symptoms such as rashes and infections.
Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause. You may have hot flashes, a symptom of menopause, because the surgery may have blocked blood flow to the ovaries.
It's almost impossible to lose belly fat after hysterectomy through moderate exercise. It takes a large amount of exercise to incur an energy deficit and during your hysterectomy recovery your exercise capacity is reduced.
After a hysterectomy, you'll experience some vaginal bleeding and discharge. This will be less discharge than during a period, but it may last up to 6 weeks. Visit your GP if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, start passing blood clots or have a strong-smelling discharge.
Will I get facial hair or mood swings? Your voice, hair growth and mood aren't affected by your uterus or cervix. If you're perimenopausal or experiencing mood swings prior to your hysterectomy, you shouldn't expect much difference after the surgery.
Hysterectomy has a rare long-term risk of pelvic prolapse, which is the stretching or dropping of pelvic organs into an abnormal position. Women with many prior abdominal surgeries or a history of pelvic prolapse or pelvic relaxation may be at higher risk for developing pelvic prolapse again.
About half a million hysterectomies are performed each year in the U.S. It is the second most common surgical procedure for women, after cesarean delivery (C-section). Most hysterectomies are performed between the ages of 40 and 50.
In fact, for those who had a hysterectomy for bleeding, pain, and prolapse, there is often an improved quality of life and related sexual activity.
Long-term effects of hysterectomy on the pelvic floor that should be considered in surgical decision-making are: pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, sexual function and pelvic organ fistula formation.
Your Hysterectomy Recovery
If you had not gone through menopause before your hysterectomy, you probably will begin having symptoms of menopause -- hot flashes and mood swings. Your body is adjusting to changes in hormone levels. You may also have some changes in sexual desire and enjoyment, and vaginal dryness.
Some of the most common side effects of a hysterectomy are vaginal drainage (which may occur up to six weeks after surgery) and irritation at the incision sites. If your ovaries were removed at the time of your hysterectomy, you may experience menopausal symptoms such as: Hot flashes. Vaginal dryness.
If you also have your ovaries removed, you'll experience hormone production changes, particularly estrogen. When your hormone levels shift and cause a hormone imbalance, you may experience a buffet of symptoms. Three of these symptoms can lead to a fourth symptom, weight gain.
When your ovaries are removed (oophorectomy) during a hysterectomy, your estrogen levels drop. Estrogen therapy (ET) replaces some or all of the estrogen that your ovaries would be making until menopause. Without estrogen, you are at risk for weak bones later in life, which can lead to osteoporosis.
Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance
After a hysterectomy, the sudden withdrawal of certain hormones can take a toll on a woman's physical, mental and emotional well-being. Symptoms that are most common include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, sleeplessness, light bleeding and discharge, and vaginal dryness.
If a hysterectomy leaves 1 or both of your ovaries intact, there's a chance that you'll experience the menopause sooner than you would have if you did not have a hysterectomy. Although your hormone levels decrease after the menopause, your ovaries continue producing testosterone for up to 20 years.
Low energy occurs because of the loss of estrogen and because of the sleep disruptions. This reduction in energy levels can cause women to exercise less, which can lead to weight gain after a hysterectomy. Slower metabolism.
This overhanging fold of skin is usually caused by adherence of your hysterectomy scar to the deeper layers. A mini-abdominoplasty can reliably improve this deformity. A mini-abdominoplasty is associated with a shorter scar than a full abdominoplasty as well as a shorter recovery.
The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus where it meets the vagina. During a total or radical hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the woman's whole uterus, including her cervix. The surgeon will then create a vaginal cuff in the place of the cervix.
After a hysterectomy, it's even more important to take care of your pelvic floor—the hammock-like system of muscles that holds your pelvic organs firmly in place.
After a hysterectomy, the remaining abdominal and pelvic organs will shift slightly to fill in the space. This shift can cause incontinence as well as other problems. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles strong by doing Kegels and regular exercise can help prevent these problems.
Benefits and risks of a hysterectomy
If you have cancer, a hysterectomy may save your life. It can relieve bleeding or discomfort from fibroids, severe endometriosis or prolapse (sagging) of the uterus. But, you may want to look into options other than surgery for problems like these.