Health News resources and information

How long should I wait before resuming walking and tennis after having a hysterectomy?

Most women who have had a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy can walk short distances within a week and longer distances after about three weeks. For abdominal hysterectomy, add a further two weeks. From then on, be guided by how you feel. By all means play tennis if this does not unduly distress or tire you.

I had a hysterectomy with removal of the uterus and cervix two years ago when I was twenty-eight Am I still ovulating? What is happening to the eggs?

The ovaries should not be affected by removal of the uterus and cervix and so they are probably still releasing eggs. These pass into the abdomen where they quickly disintegrate. It is, however, not possible to give a categorical answer about what is happening to your ovaries. Even though they have not been removed, they may have been adversely affected by the hysterectomy, perhaps because of adhesion formation or perhaps due to some disturbance to their blood supply. Ovarian sex hormone production and release of eggs may diminish and menopause may occur four or so years earlier than expected.

If I have an endometrial resection, will I still have heavy menstrual periods?

After this procedure about 25% of women have no periods afterwards, 60% are having light or normal periods a year later, and 15% continue to have heavy bleeding. Within four years of an endometrial resection about 20% of women experience heavy bleeding again. Many of these women go on to have a hysterectomy.

Will I still be fertile after an endometrial resection or ablation?

Pregnancy is unlikely. If it occurs, however, the risk of complications will be above average.

Is there an increased risk of uterine cancer after endometrial resection or ablation?

There is no evidence of any increased risk at this stage. Follow-up studies to date have been reassuring although they have been of relatively short duration (covering a period of four to six years since the operation). In order to watch for any pattern of adverse effects and to study the outcome of treatment, consideration should be given to the establishment of a national register in Australia of women who have had an endometrial resection or ablation.

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 10:08 am and is filed under Women's Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.