The Emotional Effects After a Hysterectomy

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, doctors perform hysterectomies on 600,000 women each year. A physically invasive surgery that requires extensive recuperation, a hysterectomy may also produce certain emotional effects in a woman that are perfectly normal results of this surgery.

The Facts

• A hysterectomy occurs when doctors remove your uterus surgically. In certain cases, your doctor may also remove your ovaries or your fallopian tubes.

Significance

• Removal of your uterus ends your chances of ever getting pregnant and giving birth. For many women, the irreversible nature of this surgery may cause feelings of loss and depression, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Benefits

• If you undergo a hysterectomy because of health problems such as endometriosis or excessive bleeding, you may experience emotional relief after your surgery since these problems will subside.

Menopause

• If your doctor removes your ovaries during your hysterectomy, you'll experience menopause, regardless of your age. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, emotional symptoms of menopause include sadness, mood swings and anxiety.

Considerations

• Know that it's normal for you to experience a range of emotions after a hysterectomy. Make sure you have someone you trust whom you can talk to during this potentially stressful time in your life.