If you’ve had a total hysterectomy or are anticipating having the procedure performed, your first questions may be, “What happens internally after a hysterectomy?” or “Do your organs shift after a hysterectomy?”
These are completely normal questions to have. After all, the surgeon removes a good portion of your abdominal tissues and organs, especially if you get a total hysterectomy.
To understand what fills the space after a hysterectomy, we’ll first take a look at how the surgeon performs the procedure. Then we’ll answer many of the detailed questions women frequently ask about what to expect internally after a hysterectomy.
Types of Hysterectomy Procedures
What happens inside the body after a hysterectomy will depend on the type of hysterectomy and how the surgeon performs the procedure.
There are three different types of hysterectomy. The type your doctor recommends for you is based on your circumstances.
Partial Hysterectomy
- Also referred as a supracervical hysterectomy, it removes the uterus but leaves the cervix intact. This type affects the body the least, internally.
Total Hysterectomy
- A complete hysterectomy removes the cervix as well as the uterus. In some cases, the surgeon may also remove one or both of your ovaries and fallopian tubes. This type requires a vaginal cuff and may affect your hormones if you have your ovaries removed.
Radical Hysterectomy
- This type of surgery removes the cervix, the uterus, and part of the vagina. The surgeon may also remove your fallopian tubes, ovaries, and local lymph nodes. This type is like the total hysterectomy in how it affects your body internally, but it may also require some vaginal cosmetic surgery.
There are also four different ways the surgeon can perform your hysterectomy on the day :
- Through the vagina (no abdominal incisions)
- Via the abdomen (open surgery)
- Using laparoscopy (a minimally invasive technique)
- Robotic hysterectomy (laparoscopic surgery that uses a robot)
Each of these techniques has its pros and cons. As you can imagine, having open surgery that requires the surgeon to cut through abdominal muscles causes many more internal side effects than laparoscopy, which only requires a couple of small slits.
Now let’s get to your questions.
What Happens Internally After a Hysterectomy?
Do the Remaining Organs Shift to Fill Up the Void?
Yes. After a hysterectomy, the remaining abdominal and pelvic organs will shift slightly to fill in the space. This shift can cause incontinence as well as other problems. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles strong by doing Kegels and regular exercise can help prevent these problems.
How Do the Ovaries Stay in Place After a Hysterectomy?
The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Ligaments that extend from the upper part of the uterus to the lower part of the ovaries hold them in place. If you want to preserve your ovaries, your surgeon can reattach them after they’ve separated them from your uterus.
Bowel Problems After Hysterectomy Surgery
Everything in your pelvis sits close together, so it’s natural that your bowels would be affected by a hysterectomy.
You may experience…
- gas incontinence
- an urge to defecate
- cramping
- constipation
- irregular bowel movements
- fecal incontinence
- an inability to distinguish between gas and feces.
You can expect your first bowel movement within 4-5 days after surgery. Bowel problems should go away anywhere from several days to weeks after your hysterectomy.
Can My Organs Shift After a Hysterectomy?
Some women have pelvic organ prolapse after surgery. The vagina may collapse, the tissue between the bladder and vaginal wall or rectum and vagina may weaken, or the small intestine may drop into the lower pelvic cavity.
Prolapses usually occur in women who have preexisting pelvic floor problems. Women who have no issues with prolapse prior to surgery are at a much lower risk of developing post-surgery prolapse.
After a Hysterectomy What Fills the Space?
Don’t worry. Things do change internally after a hysterectomy. But your surgeon is not going to leave you with a big gaping hole at the top of your vagina. Instead, they will make a vaginal cuff by stitching together the top part of the vagina to create a closure.
Sexual Health After Hysterectomy – What Changes to Expect
Can a Man Tell if a Woman Has Had a Hysterectomy?
This is a concern of many women who want to have sex after a hysterectomy. If the surgeon only removed your uterus, sex after hysterectomy for the man may feel surprisingly similar. In procedures that remove the cervix or some of the vagina, the surgeon will take steps to maintain vaginal functionality and do some reconstructive surgery if necessary.
Intimacy After Hysterectomy – Will I Still Get Wet?
It takes time for sensation and natural lubrication to return after a hysterectomy. Using water- or silicone-based lubricants can ease penetration.
Can I Still Climax After a Hysterectomy?
The answer is yes. After a hysterectomy, you still have your clitoris and labia, which are highly sensitive. Stimulation to these areas can bring on an orgasm. More research needs to be done to understand what role the cervix plays in orgasm.
Where Does Sperm Go After a Hysterectomy?
After a hysterectomy, sperm ejaculated into the vagina has nowhere to go because the remaining areas of your reproductive tract are closed off from your abdominal cavity. Your body will eventually expel sperm along with your normal vaginal secretions.
Does HPV Go Away After a Hysterectomy?
Since hysterectomy removes the cervix, you have eliminated the risk of developing cervical cancer because of persistent HPV infection. However, HPV can still hang out in the cells of the vagina.
Can a hysterectomy affect bowel motility long-term?
Yes, a hysterectomy can impact bowel motility, particularly during early recovery. Removing the uterus alters the inside body after hysterectomy and can temporarily affect bowel habits. Staying hydrated, maintaining a balanced diet, and gentle exercise can support healthy digestion as the body adjusts.
Is there a correlation between hysterectomy and urinary incontinence?
Some clients may experience urinary incontinence after hysterectomy due to changes in internal support structures. The pelvic muscles need time to adapt, and pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen these muscles, potentially improving bladder control. If incontinence persists, consulting a specialist may provide additional support.
Can the body develop new support structures after a hysterectomy?
Yes, the body often adapts by forming new support structures to stabilize remaining organs. Muscles and connective tissues around the pelvis shift to offer support and strengthening exercises for the pelvic floor and abdomen can help in this natural adaptation.
Does removing the uterus affect blood flow to nearby organs?
Removing the uterus may alter blood flow slightly, but the body usually compensates by redistributing blood to nearby organs like the bladder and intestines. For most clients, these changes are mild and go unnoticed, as the body’s circulatory system is highly adaptable.
Does the type of hysterectomy affect how much the organs shift?
Yes, the type of hysterectomy can influence organ shifts. A full hysterectomy, which removes the uterus and cervix, may result in more noticeable adjustments than a partial procedure. However, every client’s body adapts differently, so consulting a provider for guidance based on the type of surgery can be helpful.
How does a hysterectomy impact sexual health?
Sexual health after hysterectomy varies; some clients notice improvements due to relief from pain or discomfort, while others may experience hormonal changes, particularly if the ovaries were removed. Open communication with a provider can provide personalized support and help enhance intimacy and wellness post-surgery.
How do muscles adjust to the removed organs after a hysterectomy?
The pelvic and abdominal muscles gradually adapt, often tightening or shifting to support the remaining organs. Gentle pelvic floor exercises, as recommended by a physical therapist, can help clients regain core stability over time and ease the body’s transition.
What hormone therapy options are available after a hysterectomy?
For those who experience hormonal changes, hormone therapy options post-hysterectomy may provide relief from symptoms like hot flashes and mood shifts. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is common, and clients may also explore natural or non-hormonal methods with their healthcare provider to determine what best suits their needs.
How does the digestive system adapt after a hysterectomy?
The digestive system may need time to adjust post-surgery, and some clients experience temporary bloating or changes in bowel movements. Adjusting diet and activity levels can support digestion during hysterectomy recovery, and consulting a provider may help clients find relief.
How long does it take for organs to settle after a hysterectomy?
It may take several months for the organs to stabilize within the pelvis. Each client’s recovery timeline varies, and taking time to rest and avoid heavy lifting can aid in this process as the organs settle into their new positions.
What changes occur if one ovary is removed but the other stays?
If only one ovary is removed, the remaining ovary generally continues hormone production, helping maintain balance. This reduces menopausal symptoms for most clients, though monitoring hormone health with a provider is beneficial.
Will the body’s response to pain change after a hysterectomy?
Some clients find changes in how their body perceives pain after surgery. Pain management options are available for those needing additional support, and a healthcare provider can guide clients in finding relief as the body adjusts.
Life After Hysterectomy – Dealing with Hormonal and Psychological Changes
What happens inside the body after a hysterectomy is one thing. However, if your ovaries are removed, your body will go into premature menopause if you’ve not already gone through it naturally. This means that you can experience a hormone imbalance after complete hysterectomy, and you will have all the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.
Even if you don’t have your ovaries removed, you still have a 4-6% chance of being affected by depression or anxiety after a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, younger women are at a higher risk (12%) of suffering from depression after a hysterectomy.
Get the Right Support for a Comfortable Hysterectomy Recovery
Our team at Nava is serious about your well-being, and we will do whatever we can to support you in your post-hysterectomy journey.
Whether you are exploring ways to keep your pelvic floor strength with EMSELLA, optimize hormones with bio-identical hormone replacement, or keep your overall immunity in top condition with IV therapy, Nava has the functional medical knowledge to help.
A Medical Director, and one of the first physicians to join the Nava Health & Vitality Center, Dr. Douglas Lord has made significant contributions to our Center and its founding principles. Dr. Lord has helped develop and implement the Nava Method™—Nava’s proprietary approach to total body wellness. He has also been instrumental in liaising with other expert practitioners to successfully implement Nava’s range of therapies, treatments, and products.