In gynecology, removal of the uterus is a common practice. Another name for this surgery is hysterectomy. It is carried out both in a planned and emergency manner. Women, regardless of age, are very sensitive to such a doctor’s decision. Let's try to figure out what are the consequences of the operation to remove the uterus.
Causes of Uterus Removal
This method of treatment, if indicated, is generally recommended for older women.
However, in some cases, it is indicated and younger. It is used in the absence of a result from other types of therapy and in the following conditions:
- infection during delivery;
- myoma;
- endometriosis;
- the presence of metastases;
- identified oncology;
- polyps in large numbers;
- prolapse, prolapse, compaction of the walls of the uterus;
- frequent bleeding.
Types of Surgery
The choice of technique depends on the existing diseases, tumor size, degree of damage, and some other factors. What types of operations are there?
- Laparotomy This is a cavity operation, which is indicated for severe pathologies. The consequences are manifested by complications in the form of bleeding, adhesions and discrepancies of sutures.
- Laparoscopy. Compared to the previous view, it is less traumatic. Complications are minimal.
- Transvaginal. Rehabilitation after such surgery is fairly quick. Consequences and unpleasant complications practically do not occur.
Uterus removal
In young women in the age category under 40, such surgical intervention is a rather rare phenomenon and is dictated by serious indications. Older women are often prescribed surgery to remove the uterus. There are always consequences for the body, but they can have different severity:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- tides;
- weakening of the muscles of the anus;
- chest pain
- urinary incontinence;
- swelling of the legs;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- dryness and prolapse of the vagina;
- disruption of the intestines.
Early physical activity (movement and walking) after surgery reduces the severity of negative consequences.
General consequences
Any surgical intervention is characterized by some changes in the body. General consequences of removal of the uterus:
- high likelihood of adhesions. To prevent, an early exit from the postoperative period is recommended;
- pain at the site of surgery. This is an inevitable process of healing sutures;
- infection. To prevent it, a course of antibacterial agents is prescribed;
- vascular thrombosis. As a preventive measure, bandage the lower limbs immediately before surgery.
All of the above consequences are temporary and do not affect the patient's life after discharge from the hospital.
Rehabilitation after surgery
Unpleasant consequences after removal of the uterus can be minimized if you follow the doctor’s recommendations and follow certain rules for a long period:
- To strengthen the bottom of the pelvis and muscles of the vagina, perform Kegel exercises, which are simple to perform and available at home.
- Alternate homework and leisure. Excessive physical activity and sports are not recommended. Preference is given to daily hiking.
- Water procedures should be taken in the shower. Refuse baths, saunas, baths.
- A few months after the operation, it is necessary to wear a bandage, which has a strengthening effect on the muscular skeleton. This is a good prevention of prolapse of the internal organs.
- Follow the diet recommended by the doctor, since due to hormonal failure, a sharp increase in body weight is possible. Limit fatty and sweet foods.
The duration of the rehabilitation phase depends on the type of operation.
Therapeutic diet
A woman who, after removal of the genital organs, adheres to a healthy diet, prolongs her youth, and also reduces the risk of developing severe consequences of removal of the uterus. The main requirements of the diet:
- intake of a sufficient amount of fluid;
- meals in small portions (150-200 grams) at least five times a day;
- the exclusion of products that cause constipation and gas formation: chocolate, coffee, strong tea, flour products;
- preference is given to products containing fiber, trace elements, vitamins and increasing hemoglobin;
- heat treatment is minimized.
Removal of the uterus after 50 years
The reasons for this operation are serious pathological conditions in the female genital area, which not only worsen the quality of life, but can also pose a threat to life. Of course, unpleasant consequences of removal of the uterus after 50 years are possible.
They are different and depend on the individual characteristics of the woman. Doctors with full confidence will not be able to say how the patient will feel after such a complicated surgical intervention. For many women, the removal of this reproductive organ causes stress, even to the point of depression. Others tolerate it quite calmly and find positive moments.
Complications after removal of the uterus
Depend on the state of health of the woman and the type of surgical intervention. Early effects of removal of the uterus after 50:
- bleeding;
- thrombosis;
- scar infection;
- peritonitis;
- adhesions in the peritoneum;
- pain in the lower back and lower abdomen;
- slight divergence of seams;
- constipation;
- scar infection;
- urine outflow with pain.
Careless or abnormal actions by the surgeon during surgery lead to damage to blood vessels, the bladder and intestines. As a result, fecal or urine incontinence appears, feces from the vagina, and urinary incontinence.
Long-term complications of uterine removal
The consequences of the removal of reproductive organs in old age may occur after a few years. The quality of life without these organs is declining. Consider the complications that occur most often:
- osteoporosis. Due to a disturbed hormonal balance, calcium and the body are washed out;
- neurosis. Often there are problems of an emotional nature that cause discomfort. In women, depression is detected, which is accompanied by frequent tantrums, nervousness, suspiciousness, anxiety, and anxiety. Periodically, apathy or fatigue, a sharp change in mood. Such patients require the help and support of loved ones, medical rehabilitation. Removal of reproductive organs causes a strong hormonal failure, as a result of which the psychological state worsens;
- cystitis. The cause of this disease is an injury to the genitourinary system during the operation;
- periodontal disease;
- early menopause. Removing the ovaries accelerates this process, as the production of estrogen stops. In women, the following symptoms appear: loss of strength, frequent mood swings, fatigue, vomiting or nausea, a sensation of heat throughout the body (hot flashes). This period begins quite abruptly, the body needs to quickly rebuild. In this regard, all symptoms are exacerbated. To alleviate the condition, the doctor prescribes hormonal drugs;
- vaginal prolapse;
- adhesive disease. It is believed that this is the most difficult and unpleasant complication. Adhesions consisting of connective tissue form in the abdominal cavity. They interfere with the normal functioning of internal organs. They cause sudden painful sensations that persist for a long time. Preventive measures are physical activity a day after surgery, physiotherapeutic procedures, and, if necessary, the use of antibacterial and hormonal agents;
- constipation. The consequence of removal of the uterus is some displacement of the bladder and intestines. A woman experiences the following problems: urinary incontinence or, conversely, difficulty urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, hemorrhoids, which is the result of frequent constipation;
- lymphostasis. This disease develops if during the operation the lymph nodes adjacent to the genitals affected by the cancer cells are removed. As a result, the process of lymph circulation in the blood vessels is disturbed and lymphatic edema is formed. The patient feels heaviness and pain in the lower extremities. The skin on them becomes a reddish hue.
Removal of the uterus with myoma
Consider the consequences of removing the uterus with myoma:
- When removing only one uterus, no special changes occur. The necessary hormones continue to be synthesized in the ovaries. Sex drive and the ability to experience an orgasm are preserved.
- According to some sources, there is information that such an operation brings the climax closer to several years, but this is not confirmed by anything.
- Postoperative bleeding.
- Pain during scar healing.
- Adhesive disease.
- Psychological instability, which is manifested by tearfulness, mood swings. Feeling unnecessary due to inferiority. Sweating, chills, flushing appears.
- Inability to have children. For women of childbearing age, this is one of the saddest consequences.
General consequences that occur when removing the uterus after 50 years
For certain serious health problems at this age, doctors recommend removing the uterus and ovaries. The consequences after removing them are not large-scale, when compared with a similar operation at a young age. After the loss of reproductive organs, half of the patients develop a whole complex of symptoms, which is associated with impaired functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous and endocrine systems, i.e. post hysterectomy syndrome. This complication develops as a result of a significant decrease in the concentration of sex hormones.
When the uterus and ovaries are removed after 50 years, this syndrome rarely develops, since at this age the body is already used and works with a reduced level of hormonal substances. Sexual attraction after removal of the uterus and ovaries at this age changes insignificantly. However, there are slight difficulties in obtaining satisfaction from sexual relations and vaginal dryness occurs. Women of this age category are not afraid of the loss of reproductive function. Many patients experience emotional problems. They feel inferior, which is manifested by weakness, increased irritability, mood swings and other reactions.
Inevitable changes
After such an operation, the woman’s life changes. Regardless of the age and extent of the surgery, the following consequences occur after removal of the uterus:
- emotional problems. According to doctors, modern women cope with this situation on their own. A reassessment of values and acceptance of an established fact;
- changes in sex life. Almost all women report significant improvement in this area;
- lack of menstruation;
- inability to have children;
- pelvic organs are redistributed (displaced). If necessary, the doctor prescribes a correction.
Reviews
The consequences of the removal of the uterus, according to most women, are as follows:
- quality of life improves:
- there is no heavy bleeding;
- menstruation is gone;
- the fear of becoming pregnant disappears;
- hemoglobin rises.
According to women, the consequences after surgery to remove the ovaries and uterus are more tangible and are manifested in the following:
- climax occurs almost immediately;
- problems with the cardiovascular system;
- the quality of sexual life is reduced;
- quickly gaining weight;
- in the absence of contraindications, hormonal drugs are prescribed.
The consequences of removing the cervix and the uterus itself are practically no different from removing only the latter. This is also confirmed in the reviews of women who underwent such an operation:
- sex life has not been affected;
- ovaries are functioning;
- hormones are produced;
- monthly periods are absent.
There are other reviews that note the following points related to the removal of the uterus:
- sweating increases;
- the cardiovascular system fails;
- the formation of bleeding hematomas in places where the ovaries and uterus were cut off;
- psycho-emotional state is unstable;
- the walls of the vagina fall out;
- the bladder and intestines with errors made during the operation, change their work;
- blood sugar concentration rises.
Severe consequences of removal of the uterus are quite rare. Having fulfilled all the recommendations of the attending doctor and having gone through the rehabilitation period, the woman will feel better, the quality of life after surgery will undoubtedly improve.