Hysterectomies are common. Like, incredibly common. In the United States alone, roughly 600,000 people go through this surgery every single year. It’s often pitched as a "fix-all" for debilitating fibroids, endometriosis, or heavy bleeding that makes life unlivable. But here’s the thing: while the surgery solves the primary problem, the side effects of removing uterus aren't always a straight line.
You wake up. The pain from the fibroids is gone. That’s a win. Yet, three months later, you’re wondering why your joints ache or why sex feels fundamentally different. It isn’t just about "no more periods." It’s a systemic shift.
The uterus isn't just a "baby box." It’s an endocrine organ, a structural support, and for many, a core part of their physical identity. When it’s gone, the body recalibrates. Sometimes that recalibration is noisy. Sometimes it's a whisper.
The immediate aftermath: Beyond the surgical site
Most people expect the gas pain. Surgeons use carbon dioxide to inflate the abdomen during laparoscopic procedures, and that gas often gets trapped, causing a bizarre, sharp pain in your shoulders. It’s annoying. It passes. But the internal "rearranging" takes longer.
Think about your anatomy. The uterus sits right between the bladder and the rectum. When you remove it, there is a literal void. Your bowels and bladder don't just sit there politely; they shift into that new space. This is why many women report a frequent urge to pee or a "heavy" feeling in the pelvis for weeks. It’s your internal organs finding their new neighbors.
The pelvic floor connection
Your pelvic floor is a hammock. The uterus is one of the main anchors for that hammock. Once the anchor is gone, the structural integrity of the pelvic floor can change. This is a side effect of removing uterus that often goes unmentioned until a patient complains about pelvic organ prolapse years later. Dr. Marwa Ahmed, a specialist in physical medicine, often points out that without the uterus, the vaginal vault needs extra support. If you aren't doing pelvic floor therapy post-op, you're basically leaving that hammock to sag.
The hormone "glitch" (even if you kept your ovaries)
This is the big one. Many surgeons will tell you that if you keep your ovaries (a partial or total hysterectomy vs. a radical one), you won't go into menopause.
That’s... mostly true. But it’s not the whole story.
The ovaries get a significant portion of their blood supply from the uterine artery. When the uterus is removed, that blood line is severed. The ovaries have to rely on the ovarian artery alone. For some, this causes a "shock" period where the ovaries essentially go dormant for a few months. For others, it leads to ovarian failure years earlier than nature intended.
📖 Related: Why the 45 degree angle bench is the missing link for your upper chest
A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that women who underwent hysterectomy—even with ovarian conservation—had a nearly two-fold increased risk of premature ovarian failure.
You might experience:
- Sudden night sweats two weeks after surgery.
- Intense mood swings that feel like PMS on steroids.
- "Brain fog" that makes you forget why you walked into a room.
- Skin changes, specifically dryness or sudden adult acne.
It’s a glitch. Your endocrine system is trying to figure out the new plumbing.
The "phantom" period and sexual changes
Can we talk about sex? Honestly, it's the part people are most scared to ask about.
The side effects of removing uterus regarding intimacy are highly individual. For some, sex is better because the pain is gone. No more bleeding for 20 days a month means more spontaneity. That’s the dream.
However, the "uterine orgasm" is a real physiological event. During orgasm, the uterus contracts. If the uterus is gone, that specific internal sensation vanishes. Some women describe their orgasms as feeling "shorter" or more localized to the clitoris.
Then there's the vaginal cuff. If the cervix was removed (a total hysterectomy), the surgeon sews the top of the vagina shut. This creates a "cuff." It takes a long time to heal. If you rush back into intercourse, it can be painful or, in rare and scary cases, cause a dehiscence (the stitches tearing open).
Lubrication and the cervix
The cervix produces a lot of the mucus that keeps things moving smoothly. Without it, vaginal dryness can become a permanent guest. It’s not just an "old age" thing; it’s a direct result of the altered anatomy and potential hormonal shifts.
👉 See also: The Truth Behind RFK Autism Destroys Families Claims and the Science of Neurodiversity
Long-term health: The cardiovascular and bone link
We used to think the uterus was inert if you weren't pregnant. We were wrong.
Recent data from the Mayo Clinic’s "Oophorectomy and Hysterectomy Study" suggests that removing the uterus before age 35 carries a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Why? Because the uterus and ovaries are part of a complex feedback loop that protects the heart.
Even if you’re 45, the sudden loss of uterine signaling can impact your bone density. It’s not as dramatic as losing the ovaries, but it’s a factor. The body likes stasis. It likes the parts it was born with. When you remove a major organ, the "domino effect" can reach your arteries and your femur.
The psychological "void"
Don't ignore the head-game.
For some, a hysterectomy is a celebration. Good riddance to the "crime scene" periods. But for others, there is a profound sense of grief. It’s a loss of fertility, even if you were done having kids. It’s a marker of aging.
Post-operative depression is a documented side effect of removing uterus. It isn't just "blues." It can be a deep, chemical depression triggered by the drop in hormones and the physical trauma of surgery. If you find yourself crying over a laundry detergent commercial three weeks post-op, it’s likely your biology, not just your emotions.
What "Recovery" actually looks like
Recovery isn't just the six weeks until you're cleared for work.
- Weeks 1-2: You are a professional napper. Your only job is walking to the kitchen and back to prevent blood clots. You will feel "swelly belly"—a literal distension of the abdomen that makes you look four months pregnant.
- Weeks 3-6: You feel better, so you overdo it. You pick up a heavy laundry basket. You regret it immediately. Your body reminds you that internal stitches take months, not weeks, to fully dissolve.
- Months 3-6: This is when the real side effects of removing uterus settle in. The hormones have leveled out (or haven't). The pelvic floor has adjusted. You start to see what your "new normal" looks like.
A note on "The Mini-Period"
If you had a partial hysterectomy and kept your cervix, you might still have a "mini-period." The cervix is made of uterine tissue. If the surgeon leaves a bit of the lining, you might still see light spotting every month. It’s rare, but it happens, and it catches people off guard.
✨ Don't miss: Medicine Ball Set With Rack: What Your Home Gym Is Actually Missing
Navigating the new landscape
If you are facing this surgery, or have already had it, you need an arsenal of tools.
First, get a pelvic floor physical therapist. Do not skip this. They can help you retrain the muscles that now have to hold your bladder and bowel in place without the uterus's help.
Second, monitor your lipids and blood pressure. Since we know there’s a cardiovascular link, be proactive. Don't wait for your annual physical.
Third, check your Vitamin D and Calcium levels. Your bones are now under more stress because the hormonal landscape has changed.
Fourth, talk to your partner—or yourself—about sex. Use the lube. Try different positions. Acknowledge that it feels different, and that different doesn't have to mean "bad."
The side effects of removing uterus are manageable, but only if you stop treating the surgery like a simple "plumbing repair." It’s a total renovation. Treat your body with the patience a major renovation deserves.
Practical Next Steps for Post-Op Success
- Schedule a Pelvic Floor Eval: Wait until your surgeon clears you (usually 6-8 weeks), then book an appointment. Even one session can teach you how to prevent future prolapse.
- Track Your Mood: Use an app or a simple notebook to track your "up" and "down" days for three months. If the downs are winning, talk to an endocrinologist, not just your GP.
- Hydrate and Fiber Up: Constipation is the enemy of pelvic healing. The straining can damage the vaginal cuff or pelvic floor. Keep things moving without effort.
- Bone Density Baseline: If you are under 50, ask for a DEXA scan to see where your bone density stands now. This gives you a baseline to compare against in five years.
- Scar Tissue Massage: Once the external incisions are fully closed and healed, talk to your doctor about desensitizing and massaging the scar tissue to prevent internal adhesions.
The goal isn't just to survive the surgery. It's to thrive in the body that comes after it. Understanding the side effects of removing uterus is the first step toward making sure that "after" is as healthy as possible.