The Big O After Hysterectomy Or Menopause

[@SylvaPálová]

Women who’ve had hysterectomies may enter menopause almost 4 years earlier. The blood supply to the ovaries may be compromised during surgery by ligation, spasm, or thrombosis. Early menopause is known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as osteoporosis. Premature menopause can also increase the risk of dementia.Hysterectomy weakens the supports for the upper and mid-vagina, and can cause stress urinary incontinence. Removal or cutting of the ligaments supporting the cervix and vagina may predispose women to the development of vaginal vault prolapse. Furthermore, the effectiveness of prolapse repair can be compromised by the removal of the cervix and ligaments, which are used to anchor an effective repair.Studies regarding the effect of hysterectomy on a woman’s sex life can be confusing. Essentially, it depends on whether her symptoms that led her to consider hysterectomy were affecting her sex life in the first place. Women whose sex life was ruined by menstrual symptoms might find hysterectomy “liberating”, improving the sex life that they didn’t previously have. On the other hand, women whose sex life was not affected by their menstrual symptoms need to be aware that studies have demonstrated decreased libido and altered orgasm sensation, especially after total hysterectomy. Nerve damage during surgery may be a cause.For some women, uterine contraction is essential for orgasm. This could be lost after hysterectomy, leading to failure to orgasm or changes in the nature of them. Surgery may also change the anatomy of the top of the vagina, resulting in an altered sensation for women and their partners. Constipation following hysterectomy has been reported, and this may be a result of nerve injury.A recent Mayo Clinic study has shown that hysterectomy, even without removal of the ovaries, is associated with a 33% increased risk of coronary heart disease. The risk is increased by 250% if the hysterectomy is performed on women younger than 35 years of age.

[@LindaMalá-s7i]

My hysterectomy ruined my sex life.....