Recovering From Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy removes the womb; the cervix, ovaries, or fallopian tubes may also be removed depending on the operation. Recovery can feel different after abdominal, vaginal, or keyhole surgery. Tiredness, abdominal or pelvic soreness, altered bowel habits, and light vaginal discharge may occur while tissues heal. Your surgeon will explain what was removed and how the operation affects periods, fertility, and hormone symptoms.

The reason for surgery may include heavy periods, pelvic pain, fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, overgrowth of the womb lining, or cancer. Knowing the reason and surgical route helps make your recovery instructions specific.

Keep the incision or vaginal wound clean and follow the discharge instructions about bathing, dressings, medicines, and activity. Take short gentle walks as advised, avoid lifting or strenuous exercise until cleared, and prevent constipation with fluids, fibre, and prescribed remedies. Arrange help with shopping, childcare, and household tasks. Avoid vaginal sex, tampons, and swimming until your surgical team confirms healing is adequate. Attend follow-up so pathology results and ongoing symptoms can be reviewed.

Contact your surgical team urgently for heavy or increasing bleeding, worsening pain, fever, foul-smelling discharge, redness or pus at a wound, repeated vomiting, difficulty passing urine, or a swollen painful leg. Emergency help is needed for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or coughing blood. A small amount of discharge may occur, but a clear change from your instructions should be checked.

Which tissues were removed, and what should I expect hormonally? When can I drive, work, exercise, and have sex? How should I manage pain and constipation? When will pathology results and follow-up happen?