Period FAQs

can you have a period after a hysterectomy

by Colin Feil I Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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After a hysterectomy, a woman can no longer have children and menstruation stops. The ovaries generally continue to produce hormones, although in some cases they may have reduced activity. Some hysterectomies also include removal of the ovaries, so the supply of essential female hormones is greatly reduced.

Why would a woman bleed if she had a hysterectomy?

People who have had a hysterectomy can sometimes experience vaginal bleeding years later due to granulation tissue. Granulation tissue is scar tissue that forms at the top of the vagina when a person has a hysterectomy.

Is it normal to bleed like a period after hysterectomy?

It's typical to have bloody vaginal discharge for several days to several weeks after a hysterectomy, as the stitches (sutures) dissolve and the tissue heals. You'll likely need to wear sanitary pads during that time. Generally, vaginal bleeding after hysterectomy should be light.

Can you bleed a year after a hysterectomy?

It's possible that you experience vaginal bleeding months or years after a hysterectomy. This may be because of vaginal atrophy or another medical condition, such as cancer. Call your doctor to discuss any bleeding that occurs more than six weeks after your procedure.

Can you bleed without a uterus?

If your ovaries are still functioning, then you are still having monthly ovulatory cycles. The monthly cycle causes bleeding from the endometrial tissue that remains in your cervix. It is a common phenomenon in women with supracervical hysterectomy who still have their ovaries.

Is it normal to bleed 5 months after a hysterectomy?

Summary. Some bleeding after a hysterectomy is normal. However, the bleeding should lessen over time. Heavy bleeding can be a sign of a complication and can cause you to become anemic in some cases.

What replaces the cervix after hysterectomy?

The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus where it meets the vagina. During a total or radical hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the woman's whole uterus, including her cervix. The surgeon will then create a vaginal cuff in the place of the cervix.

Where does sperm go after hysterectomy?

Following hysterectomy, the remaining areas of your reproductive tract are separated from your abdominal cavity. Because of this, sperm has nowhere to go. It's eventually expelled from your body along with your normal vaginal secretions. You may still have some more questions about sex after a hysterectomy.

How does your body change after hysterectomy?

Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause. You may have hot flashes, a symptom of menopause, because the surgery may have blocked blood flow to the ovaries.

Can you have endometriosis after a hysterectomy?

Depending on the location and extent of endometrial lesions, this can result in pain and other symptoms. Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy to help treat severe endometriosis symptoms that have not responded to conservative treatment. However, endometriosis can recur following a hysterectomy.

Is it normal to have a foul odor after a hysterectomy?

You may have reddish to brownish discharge from your vagina for 1-2 weeks. Contact your doctor if the discharge becomes heavier than a normal period, has a foul odour (bad smell), or if there is heavy bleeding. Do not use tampons for 6 weeks. Do not have sexual intercourse (sex) for about 6 weeks after surgery.

How much does a uterus weigh?

The human uterus is pear-shaped and about 7.6 cm (3.0 in) long, 4.5 cm (1.8 in) broad (side to side), and 3.0 cm (1.2 in) thick. A typical adult uterus weighs about 60 grams.

Why am I peeing so much after hysterectomy?

This may result from a weakening of the pelvic floor or loss of normal function of the sphincter (the muscle that keeps the urethra closed). Although this would be more common after radical hysterectomy for uterine cancer, it may theoretically occur after vaginal hysterectomy as well.

How do you know if something is wrong after a hysterectomy?

As you recover from your hysterectomy, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience fever or other signs of infection, heavy bleeding (soaking through a pad in less than one hour), severe pain that does not respond to your medications, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, difficulty urinating ...

What happens if you overdo it after hysterectomy?

Both rest and minor activity are important after a hysterectomy. However, it's also possible to overexert yourself. Signs of overexertion include increased pain, vaginal discharge or bleeding, or drainage from your incision. If any of these happen, stop doing an activity and revisit it again in several days.

What is secondary hemorrhage after hysterectomy?

Secondary hemorrhage after hysterectomy is a rare but life-threatening complication that may require prompt medical and surgical intervention. Although the overall incidence of secondary hemorrhage is low, gynecologists do come across secondary hemorrhage of varying degrees of severity.

What is granulation after hysterectomy?

Vaginal vault granulation tissue occurring after total abdominal hysterectomy is a common postoperative complication. Clinical presentations include vaginal discharge which may be bloody or postcoital bleeding. Alternatively it may be completely asymptomatic. The usual treatment is cauterization with silver nitrate.

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