Are you concerned about having a hysterectomy? You should be because this decision may affect your future.
A hysterectomy can be necessary in certain cases (such as cancer), but there are instances when it should be avoided because a hysterectomy can be accompanied by a number of side effects. Today, we would like to talk about female psychological health, and how it can be affected by a hysterectomy.
Is women’s physical health and emotional wellbeing related? What emotional consequences can occur if a woman loses her “U”?
Surgical removal of the uterus is a large-scale and complex surgery. Its risks should always be carefully considered. Possible side effects depend on a number of factors, such as age, general health, whether or not a woman is in menopause at the time of the procedure, and the type of hysterectomy.
Healthcare providers often claim that the removal of uterus can’t cause any problems for a woman other than losing her ability to have children, but it is not true.
Warning: What Can Happen If You Remove Your Uterus
“Will I feel like a woman after surgery? Will I lose my sexual desire? Will I gain weight? Will menopause come immediately after surgery? It is dangerous?”. These and other questions are asked by women who have been offered surgery. And you should ask these questions because you need to know about what to expect.
Hysterectomy Has Some Emotional and Physical Side Effects:
Loss of childbearing function. Unfortunately, any patient who has her uterus removed is permanently deprived of the opportunity to have children.
Hysterectomy leads to menopause. Estrogen is no longer produced. As a result, your body begins to adapt to functioning without estrogen. Unpleasant symptoms can occur a few days after surgery. To cope with side effects of a hysterectomy, doctors often prescribe drugs that replace estrogen.
Reduced libido or complete loss of sexual desire. This can happen due to changes in the hormonal balance as a result of the surgery. Not all women face this problem but it happens quite often.
Sexual problems. Sex also may be different after a hysterectomy. Some women complain of reduced frequency and intensity of orgasms, and pain during intercourse. A decrease in estrogen levels can cause vaginal thinning and vaginal dryness that can make sex painful. But hormone replacement therapy can help both, vaginal dryness and vaginal thinning. The shortening of the vaginal canal caused by removal of cervix may cause penetration difficulties.
Constipation. Some women report constipation after hysterectomy because of various neurological, anatomical, hormonal or other factors. This is usually a temporary condition and can be prevented by increasing the amount of fiber and fruits in the diet. Also, women sometimes report gas issues.
Urinary leaking. Urinary leaking after hysterectomy is common and a leading cause of adult diaper usage. Also, in some cases during surgery the bladder can be accidentally damaged which would necessitate a second surgery to repair.
How These Side Effects Can Affect a Woman’s Psychological Health
Psychological/emotional changes are often associated with hormonal changes that occur as a result of surgery. Women can experience nervousness, anxiety, and even depression; these are frequent companions of patients who have had a hysterectomy. You can add fatigue and frequent mood changes to the list.
A surgery like hysterectomy is a big decision. It can have many psychological consequences.
“So What Should I do?”
The decision is entirely up to you. Even the best doctors cannot know for sure what could happen during the surgery or after, especially when it comes to hysterectomy. Everyone’s reasons for the procedure and recovery process are individual. However, you should definitely consider all risks and treatment options available to you. When it comes to uterine fibroids, a hysterectomy is not the only available solution, even if your doctor does not think that you qualify for UFE. It’s always a good idea to ask for a second opinion.
You do not have to lose your uterus because of uterine fibroids. You do not need to lose your “U”. Call Dr. John Lipman of Atlanta Fibroid Center at 770-953-2600 to know for sure if you are a candidate for UFE or make an appointment online.
#DontLoseUrU
