Hysterectomy Complications

As with any major surgery, a hysterectomy can result in some hysterectomy complications and risks. Although the incidences for hysterectomy complications are low, it still helps to be aware of them in preparation for a hysterectomy.

Early menopause. Women who undergo hysterectomy without their ovaries removed are likely to go into the menopause stage around four years earlier than they normally would.

Blood Clots. Blood clots are common among hysterectomy complications as with most surgeries. Blood clots can form in the patient’s legs and lungs. To counter this, the patient wears stockings on the legs, or takes a blood thinner. Blood thinners may be taken from 3 to 6 months after surgery, depending on the severity of the blood clot.

Organ Damage. This is rare among hysterectomy complications, but one that can still occur. It is possible for some pelvic organs to be damaged during the hysterectomy due the proximity of these organs to the uterus. There are times when the hysterectomy is difficult to perform due to large fibroids or adhesions, and other organs in the pelvis may be unintentionally affected. Some of these include the tubes that connect the bladder and the kidney (ureters), the bladder itself, and the bowel. These damages can usually be repaired easily when they occur.

Infection. Despite taking preventive antibiotics, infections are hysterectomy complications that can still occur in the incision, inside the abdomen, in the bladder, or in the vagina. Infections occur in ten percent of hysterectomy incidents, but these can be cured with antibiotics. Rarely do these hysterectomy complications develop into an abscess.

Bleeding. Bleeding is another common complication among surgeries. Excessive bleeding may require blood transfusion, or may even result in the patient returning to the operating room.

Anesthesia-related complications. Hysterectomy complications can include those caused by adverse reactions to anesthesia. In particular, these can mean breathing or heart problems. Patients who have a lung or heart disease, are obese, or who smoke are more prone to these complications.

Aside from these complications after hysterectomy, other complications can include pelvic pain, constipation, weight gain, and reduced sexual drive.