Hysterectomy - Recovering from a hysterectomy

After having a hysterectomy, you may wake up feeling tired and in some pain. This experience is normal after this type of surgery.

You will be given painkillers to help reduce any pain and discomfort. If you feel sick after the anaesthetic, your nurse will be able to give you medicine to help relieve this.

You may have a drip in your arm and a catheter (a small tube that drains urine from your bladder into a collection bag).

If you had an abdominal hysterectomy, you may also have a drainage tube in your abdomen to take away any blood from beneath your wound. These tubes will usually stay in place for one to two days.

Dressings will be placed over your wounds. If you have had a vaginal hysterectomy, you may have a gauze pack inserted into your vagina.

This is to minimise the risk of any bleeding after the operation and will usually stay in place for 24 hours. You may find it slightly uncomfortable and feel like you need to empty your bowels (do a poo).

The day after your operation, you will be encouraged to take a short walk. This helps your blood to flow normally, reducing the risk of complications developing, such as blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis).

A physiotherapist may show you how to do some exercises to help your mobility. They may also show you some pelvic floor muscle exercises to help with your recovery.

After the catheter has been removed, you should be able to pass urine normally. Any stitches that need to be removed will be taken out five to seven days after your operation.

Your recovery time

The length of time it will take before you are well enough to leave hospital will depend on your age and your general level of health.

If you have had a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy, you may be able to leave between one and four days later. If you have had an abdominal hysterectomy, it will usually be up to five days before you are discharged.

You may be asked to see your GP in four to six weeks, but follow-up appointments with the hospital are not usually needed unless there are complications.

It takes about six to eight weeks to fully recover after having an abdominal hysterectomy. Recovery times are often shorter after a vaginal or laparoscopy hysterectomy. 

During this time, you should rest as much as possible and not lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping. Your abdominal muscles and the surrounding tissues need time to heal.

If you live by yourself, you may be able to get help from your local NHS authority while you are recovering from your operation. Hospital staff should be able to advise you further about this.

Side effects

After having a hysterectomy, you may experience some temporary side effects, as outlined below.

Bowel and bladder disturbances

After your operation, there may be some changes in your bowel and bladder functions when going to the toilet.

Some women develop urinary tract infections or constipation. Both can easily be treated. It's recommended that you drink plenty of fluids and increase the fruit and fibre in your diet to help with your bowel and bladder movements.

For the first few bowel movements after a hysterectomy, you may need laxatives to help avoid straining. Some people find it more comfortable to hold their abdomen to provide support while passing a stool.

Vaginal discharge

After a hysterectomy, you will experience some vaginal bleeding and discharge. This will be less discharge than during a period, but it may last up to six weeks.

Visit your GP if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, start passing blood clots, or have an offensive-smelling discharge.

Menopausal symptoms

If your ovaries are removed, it is likely you will experience severe menopausal symptoms after your operation. These may include:

• hot flushes
• anxiety
• weepiness
• sweating

You may have hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after your operation. This can be given in the form of an implant, injections or tablets. It usually takes around a week before having an effect.

Emotional effects

You may feel a sense of loss and sadness after having a hysterectomy. These feelings are particularly common in women with advanced cancer, who have no other treatment option.

Some women who have not yet experienced the menopause may feel a sense of loss because they are no longer able to have children. Others may feel less "womanly" than before.

In some cases, having a hysterectomy can be a trigger for depression. See your GP if you have feelings of depression that won't go away. They will be able to advise you about various available treatment options.

Talking to other women who have had a hysterectomy may help by providing emotional support and reassurance. Your GP or the hospital staff may be able to recommend a local support group for you.

The Hysterectomy Association also provides hysterectomy support services, including a one-to-one telephone support line, counselling, and "preparing for hysterectomy" workshops.

Getting back to normal

Returning to work

How long it will take for you to return to work will depend on how you feel and what sort of work you do.

If your job does not involve manual work or heavy lifting, it may be possible to return after four to eight weeks.

Driving

Don't drive until you're comfortable wearing a seatbelt and can safely perform an emergency stop.

This can be anything from between three and eight weeks after your operation. You may want to check with your GP that you are fit to drive before you start.

Some car insurance companies require a certificate from a GP stating that you are fit to drive. Check this with your car insurance company.

Exercise and lifting

After having a hysterectomy, the hospital where you were treated should give you information and advice about suitable forms of exercise while you recover.

Walking is always recommended, and you can swim after your wounds have healed. Don't try to do too much, because you will probably feel more tired than usual.

Don't lift any heavy objects during your recovery period. If you have to lift light objects, make sure that your knees are bent and your back is straight.

Sex

After a hysterectomy, it's generally recommended that you don't have sex until any vaginal discharge has stopped and you feel comfortable and relaxed, or after a minimum of six weeks.

You may experience some vaginal dryness, particularly if you have had your ovaries removed and you are not taking HRT.

Many women also experience an initial loss of sexual desire (libido) after the operation, but this usually returns once they have fully recovered.

At this point, studies show that pain during sex is reduced and that strength of orgasm, libido and sexual activity all improve after a hysterectomy.

Contraception

You no longer need to use contraception to prevent pregnancy after having a hysterectomy. However, you will still need to use condoms to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).