As with all types of surgery, a hysterectomy can lead to complications.
Some of the possible complications are described below.
General anaesthetic
It is very rare for serious complications to occur after having a general anaesthetic (1 in 10,000 anaesthetics given).
Serious complications can include nerve damage, an allergic reaction and death (death is very rare; there is a 1 in 100,000 chance of dying after having a general anaesthetic).
Being fit and healthy before you have an operation reduces your risk of developing complications.
Bleeding
As with all major operations, there is a small risk of heavy bleeding (haemorrhage) after having a hysterectomy.
If you have a haemorrhage, you may need a blood transfusion (where you receive blood from a donor).
Bladder or bowel damage
In rare cases, damage to abdominal organs, such as the bladder or bowel, can occur during a hysterectomy. This can cause problems, such as infection, incontinence or a frequent need to urinate.
It may be possible to repair any damage during the operation. You may need to have a temporary catheter to drain your urine, or a colostomy to collect your bowel movements.
Infection
There is always a risk that an infection will develop after an operation. This could be a urinary tract infection, a chest infection or a vaginal infection. These are not usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics.
Thrombosis
A thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein and interferes with blood circulation and the flow of oxygen around the body. The risk of developing blood clots increases after having operations and periods of immobility.
You will be encouraged to start moving around as soon as possible after your operation. You may also be given a blood thinning medication, such as warfarin, to reduce the risk of clots forming.
Vaginal problems
If you have a vaginal hysterectomy there is a risk that you will have problems at the top of your vagina where the cervix was removed. This could be slow wound healing in the short-term or prolapse in later years.
Ovary failure
Even if one or both of your ovaries are left intact, there is a chance they will fail within five years of having your hysterectomy. This is because your ovaries receive some of their blood supply through the womb which is removed during the operation.
Early menopause
If you have had your ovaries removed, it is likely that you will start experiencing menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, sweating, vaginal dryness and disturbed sleep, soon after your operation.
This is because the menopause is triggered once you stop producing eggs from your ovaries (ovulating).
This is an important consideration if you are under 40 years of age because early onset of the menopause can increase your risk of developing brittle bones (osteoporosis). This is because the level of the hormone, oestrogen, decreases during the menopause.
Depending on your age and circumstances, you may need to take additional medication to prevent osteoporosis.
