Spot Bleeding: A Side Effect After Hysterectomy
What if after a hysterectomy you have spot bleeding? Does this mean you have some serious complications? Should you call the doctor? Many women find themselves asking these questions after a hysterectomy.
Hysterectomies are major operations that involve removal of the uterus and sometimes other female reproductive organs. They are performed to alleviate chronic conditions such as endometriosis, or in conjunction with tumor or fibroid removal. No matter the reason for a hysterectomy, the side effects can be much the same in any patient. One common side effect is light spotting in the days immediately after the surgery.
If after a hysterectomy you have spot bleeding, it is more important to notice the amount and frequency. In the surgery, doctors will be using stitches internally, so there may some brown spotting from the dried blood in those healing wounds. These internal stitches may also come out. If there are red spots, that indicates fresh blood. Fresh bleeding can be caused by the normal healing process after a hysterectomy, or it could indicate complications. One main distinction is small spots of blood compared to heavy bleeding. Small spots are more likely to be associated with a normal healing process, whereas significant bleeding indicates a serious complication.
Importantly, you should make sure to limit your daily movements and sexual activity in the first 8 weeks after surgery, or as instructed by your doctor. If you do experience some spot bleeding, your doctor will likely ask you about changes to your activity levels, your diet, and any medications you are taking. Your doctor will also want to know if the frequency of the spot bleeding has changed, and when it started. If the bleeding is normal, it will have decreased in frequency and amount as you’ve healed. There should be less blood that there was when you first noticed the spotting, for example. This will all help your doctor determine the cause of the bleeding.
Since bleeding can be a sign of big problem, if after a hysterectomy you have spot bleeding, it may save your health to check in with your doctor.