The risks of hysterectomy for the majority of women are not something they have to be aware of and their hysterectomy will be a liberating experience. They will go on to lead perfectly normal lives after they have recovered. However, for a small number of women, the reverse may be true and we have listed a number of risks of hysterectomy and other possible hysterectomy complications which may be experienced by some women.
You can find more information about some of them by following the links provided.
- Hysterectomy granulation and post-operative bleeding
- Irritable bowel syndrome which is stress-related
- Stress incontinence or other urinary symptoms
- Damage to the urethra and bowel may be more prevalent if the cervix is removed due to their proximity
- Vaginal vault prolapse
- Back pain
- Depression after hysterectomy
- Loss of sexual feeling and function
- Post operative infection
- Haematoma (a collection of blood under the wound)
- Thrombosis (blood clot)
- Has been known to trigger arthritis, but the reason is unknown
- Incisional hernia after hysterectomy
Some other conditions may also re-occur, this might include, adhesion’s, pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis. These are probably because they are all triggered by oestrogen, which the body will continue to produce naturally if a woman retains the ovaries or if a woman takes HRT if her ovaries were removed. For all of these conditions, it is important to discuss with your doctor what treatment is available.