Hysterectomy Side Effects – They Can Be More Than Physical

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes portions of or all of a woman’s reproductive organs. Thus it is not difficult to understand that this procedure will create a significant amount of physical strain on the body. However, in preparation for surgery, a women and her doctor should discuss not only the physical, but also the possible emotional and psychological effects.

Lets begin with one of the most obvious of hysterectomy side effects—menopause. This is a natural process that usually occurs in women between their early 40s and late 50s. What is happening physically is the ending of ovulation and menstruation brought on by a reduction in the production of certain hormones. When a woman has a hysterectomy, this process is brought on suddenly.

One of the most pronounced symptoms of menopause is the dreaded and ubiquitous hot flash. Some women are able to go through these episodes without any additional medical treatment while others receive hormone replacement therapy to control the episodes.

While hot flashes can be very uncomfortable, they are not the worst of the conditions that can be brought on by the drop in hormone levels. Osteoporosis, the weakening of bones, and coronary disease can also accompany the condition. This is why it is important to have regular examinations to identify potential problems at an early stage when they are more successfully treated.

Following surgery, as a woman experiences the sudden changes to her body and comes to terms with no longer being able to reproduce, even if she does not want more children, she may feel a major loss. Some women say they feel that they are somehow less than they were previously. These emotions can bring on anxiety and depression and both conditions may be exasperated by the change in hormone levels.

In conclusion, the following are hysterectomy side effects all women should be aware of, even though they probably will not experience them all.

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of interest in sex
• Sudden and unexplained mood changes
• Memory loss
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Dizziness
• Loss of bone density
• Coronary heart disease
• Hot flashes

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