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- British Medical Journal: Hysterectomy and Sexual Wellbeing: Prospective Observational Study of Vaginal Hysterectomy, Subtotal Abdominal Hysterectomy, and Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
- British Medical Journal: Hysterectomy and Sexual Wellbeing: Prospective Observational Study of Vaginal Hysterectomy, Subtotal Abdominal Hysterectomy, and Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
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Emotional Effects of a Hysterectomy
You probably expect physical changes after a hysterectomy, but don't ignore the emotional ones. Generally, a hysterectomy won't cause emotional problems in an otherwise psychologically healthy woman. And because the surgery often eliminates a chronic source of pain, you may find that you feel happier. Still, some women do become depressed after the procedure. Don’t look for the “right” response; just pay attention to how you feel.
An End to Childbearing
Any major surgery can trigger depression, and a hysterectomy qualifies. After all, it represents an end to your childbearing years. Facing the reality of such as change may prove challenging. Even women with children--or those who never wanted any--may feel sad about this loss. Additionally, if you consider your femininity and your fertility inexorably linked, the loss of fertility could affect your self-esteem and your sense of yourself as "feminine."
- Any major surgery can trigger depression, and a hysterectomy qualifies.
- Additionally, if you consider your femininity and your fertility inexorably linked, the loss of fertility could affect your self-esteem and your sense of yourself as "feminine."
Menopause and Estrogen Loss
The Side Effects of a Full Hysterectomy
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A hysterectomy may cause a gradual decline in estrogen levels. If one or both ovaries remain intact, your body continues to produce the hormone but usually at a slower rate. With both ovaries removed, however, estrogen production stops and you enter menopause immediately, without the gradual transition most women get. Estrogen loss--especially a sudden one--can lead to mood swings, depression, crying jags, insomnia and irritability.
- A hysterectomy may cause a gradual decline in estrogen levels.
- If one or both ovaries remain intact, your body continues to produce the hormone but usually at a slower rate.
Pre-existing Issues
Your likelihood of experiencing psychological and emotional problems after the hysterectomy appear related to whether you suffered from such problems before the surgery. If you faced depression or anxiety before the surgery, you have a higher risk of facing them after surgery. Many women in midlife face major career and family changes. A hysterectomy--especially one that results in menopause--may exacerbate that stress.
- Your likelihood of experiencing psychological and emotional problems after the hysterectomy appear related to whether you suffered from such problems before the surgery.
- If you faced depression or anxiety before the surgery, you have a higher risk of facing them after surgery.
Treatment
How to Recover After a Hysterectomy
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Fortunately, many of your negative feelings may pass as you recover from the surgery. Give it time. If they persist, talk to your health-care professional. She can address your concerns or point you to the appropriate counselors or support groups. If the surgery removed your ovaries, resulting in menopause, your clinician may suggest estrogen therapy. She can also help determine whether your emotional changes relate to factors other than the surgery, such as a thyroid condition or clinical depression.
- Fortunately, many of your negative feelings may pass as you recover from the surgery.
- She can also help determine whether your emotional changes relate to factors other than the surgery, such as a thyroid condition or clinical depression.
Positive Changes
Of course, a hysterectomy can bring about positive emotional changes. Often, women who have endured chronic pain for years become pain free. And not having to deal with menstruation certainly has its benefits--especially if you experienced heavy bleeding and serious cramps. A hysterectomy can give you that enhanced sense of well-being that accompanies a good sex life. In fact, a Netherlands study reported in the British Medical Journal found that sexual pleasure often improves after a hysterectomy 1.
- Of course, a hysterectomy can bring about positive emotional changes.
- A hysterectomy can give you that enhanced sense of well-being that accompanies a good sex life.
Related Articles
References
- British Medical Journal: Hysterectomy and Sexual Wellbeing: Prospective Observational Study of Vaginal Hysterectomy, Subtotal Abdominal Hysterectomy, and Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
- Zhang Y et al. Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Nov; 96(45): e8443. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008443
- Stanford Health Care. Techniques: Our Approach to Hysterectomy.
- American Cancer Society. (March 2019). Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
- Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112
- Schindlbeck C, Klauser K, Dian D, Janni W, Friese K. Comparison of total laparoscopic, vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Apr;277(4):331-7.
- Einarsson JI, Suzuki Y. Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: 10 Steps Toward a Successful Procedure. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Winter; 2(1): 57–64.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
- Papadopoulos MS, Tolikas AC, Miliaras DE. Hysterectomy-current methods and alternatives for benign indications. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2010;2010. doi:10.1155/2010/356740
- Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D. Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study. J Affect Disord. 2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017
- Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C. Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Laparoscopic Hysterectomy.
- American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019). Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
- American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018). The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer
- Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ. Complications of hysterectomy. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594
- Forsgren C, Altman D. Risk of Pelvic Organ Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Oct;22(5):404-7. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833e49b0
- Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112
- Doucette RC, Sharp HT, Alder SC. Challenging generally accepted contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Jun;184(7):1386-9; discussion 1390-1.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
Writer Bio
Irene Blake has been a professional writer since 1989; she covers health and the business of health care for consumer and business markets. Her work has appeared in the "Christian Science Monitor," "Medical Device Daily," Healthywomen.org, NewsRx and "Consumer-Driven Healthcare." She holds a master's degree from a major Southern university.