Are you concerned because you have been told you need a hysterectomy, and you have to decide what to do? You should be concerned, and you should not take this lightly, because this decision may affect your entire 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 well-being related? What emotional consequences can occur if a woman loses her “U”?
Hysterectomy Should Be a Last Resort
A hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) is a large-scale and complex surgery, and the risks and side effects should always be carefully considered. The possible side effects depend on a number of conditions, such as age, general health, whether or not a woman is in menopause at the time of the procedure, and the type of hysterectomy performed.
Every year in the United States alone, over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed, but only around 10% of them are actually medically necessary. Most hysterectomies are performed to alleviate symptoms that are associated with uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous and can almost always be eliminated without surgery using a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization.
Healthcare providers often claim that the removal of the uterus will not cause any problems for a woman other than losing her ability to have children, but this is not true, and recent studies have shown that a woman’s heart and cognitive health are linked to the uterus.
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? Is it dangerous?”. These and other questions are asked by women who have been offered surgery as a treatment to relieve the symptoms of many different gynecological issues. It is important that you do your own research and ask these questions because you need to know what to expect.
Hysterectomy Has Emotional and Physical Side Effects
Loss of Childbearing Ability
Any woman who has her uterus removed will never be able to conceive or give birth to children.
Hysterectomy Can Lead to Menopause
If the ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, estrogen is no longer produced, and the body begins to adapt to functioning without estrogen, and unpleasant symptoms can begin to occur in as little as a few days after surgery. To cope with the side effects of a hysterectomy, doctors often prescribe drugs that replace estrogen, which can cause additional side effects.
Reduced Libido or Complete Loss of Sexual Desire
Many women face issues with their desire to have sex due to changes in the hormonal balance after having a hysterectomy, which can result in the breakdown of intimate relationships.
Sexual Problems
Sexual dysfunction is also a side effect that many women experience after a hysterectomy. Some women complain of reduced frequency and intensity of orgasms and pain during intercourse. A decrease in estrogen levels can also cause vaginal thinning and vaginal dryness that can make sex painful. But hormone replacement therapy can help with both vaginal dryness and vaginal thinning. Sometimes, the vaginal canal is shortened due to the removal of the cervix, which can cause penetration pain or other issues.
Constipation
Some women report constipation after a hysterectomy because of different neurological, anatomical, hormonal, or other reasons, but this is usually a temporary condition and can be prevented by increasing the amount of fiber and fruits in their diet. Also, women sometimes report issues with excess gas.
Urinary Leaking
Urinary incontinence after a hysterectomy is common and one of the main causes of adult diaper usage. Also, in some cases, during surgery, the bladder can be accidentally damaged, which would necessitate a second surgery to repair it.
Does a Hysterectomy Cause Menopause?
A hysterectomy does not always cause the onset of menopause, and it depends on the circumstances and how your body responds to the surgery. If only the uterus is removed and the ovaries are left in place, your body may still make hormones, so it may not cause you to go into menopause right away. Sometimes, after the uterus is removed, ovaries that remain fail, which can bring on menopause.
The average age of menopause after a hysterectomy depends on whether the ovaries are removed or if they are left in place. If both ovaries are removed during the surgery, menopause begins right away, no matter your age. This is called surgical menopause, and it usually comes with stronger symptoms than if you go into menopause naturally.
How These Side Effects Can Affect a Woman’s Psychological Health
Psychological and emotional changes are often associated with the hormonal changes that take place as a result of the surgery. Women can experience nervousness, anxiety, fatigue, frequent mood changes, and depression.
Side Effects of Hysterectomy at Age 40
Having a hysterectomy at age 40 can cause your body to go through some big changes, which can affect your daily life. If your ovaries are removed, you may go into sudden menopause, which can cause hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. You might also feel more tired than usual and notice a decline in your sex drive or vaginal dryness. Studies have also shown that younger women who have their uterus removed face a higher risk of bone loss and heart and memory issues in the long term. Some women also face emotional issues or depression because after the removal of their uterus, they can no longer get pregnant and have a baby.
Side Effects of Hysterectomy at Age 50
At age 50, many women are already close to starting the natural menopause process, so the effects of a hysterectomy might not feel as sudden. If the ovaries are removed, menopause will start right away, which means you could feel symptoms like hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, or a drop in your sex drive. If your ovaries are left in place, you may not feel the hormonal changes right away. Some women also experience issues with their bladder or bowels because the uterus provides some structure and support for the bladder. If the uterus is removed for cancer, then there is no other alternative option. But if you are in your early 50s and still menstruating but suffering from symptoms of fibroids, then UFE is an option.
Side Effects of Hysterectomy at Age 60
By the time a woman reaches age 60, they are already likely to be in menopause, so the hormonal side effects of a hysterectomy are usually even less noticeable because their ovaries were probably no longer very active. The main issues they may face are changes to the stability of their nearby organs, like their bladder, which the uterus was supporting. It may take them longer to recover from the surgery, and their risks for complications may be increased. However, in this age group, the uterus is likely removed for cancer, and there are no other alternative options.
So, What Should You 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 a 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 imperative to ask an interventional radiologist for a second opinion.
You do not have to lose your uterus because of uterine fibroids. You do not need to lose your “U”. Consult with our board-certified specialists, Dr. John Lipman and Dr. Sima Banerjee, of Atlanta Fibroid Center at 770-953-2600 to know for sure if you are a candidate for UFE or make an appointment online.
