Long term effects of hysterectomy

I am 59 and had a robotic hysterectomy in December 2025. I was in hospital for 1 night, required no pain relief post surgery and recovered quickly. I am sure being active and healthy pre surgery supported my recovery. By February I was back to walking the distances and at the speed I could do pre surgery. If I hadnt needed adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy I would have been back to Spin & Circuits no problem at all. Being fit & healthy will be assets for you moving forward. Grade 3 is high risk and hysterectomy is best treatment option to keep you healthy in the future. I am sure you will bounce back quickly.

Hi JackieN, could you say a bit more about your concerns about a hysterectomy turning you “into an old woman overnight” as I’d like to understand. For your info, I’m 66 and I had a hysterectomy at age 62 years 5 months so only a little younger than you are now. My op was laparoscopic and my recovery was quicker than it was for my C section in 1989. I was determined not to be a “victim” and set my mind on recovery as soon as I woke from the op. The morning after my op, as soon as my catheter was out, I was out of bed and walking to and from the loo and up and down the corridors. As soon as I got home from hospital I went for a 5 minute walk round the block. The next day I did 2 x 5 minute walks and then started slowly increasing. By day 4 I was getting in and out of my car and rehearsing the movements for driving. A week after my op I was back in church and out for lunch, By two weeks post op I was walking 30-45 mins a day. It wasn’t “easy” but I was determined. I’d encourage you to go for it. 

Thank you for responding so quickly. I've read that hysterectomies can cause ongoing bladder and bowel problems as well as weight gain.

I do agree though, mindset is incredibly important. Thanks for your feedback

Hi 

I was 48 when diagnosed with stage 2 grade 3 rare  womb cancer. This was on the back of my daughter having an eating disorder for 3 years previously. As a single working mum I thought I was done but was then faced with this. It actually made me very poorly and was the size of an orange. I had my radical hysterectomy 6 weeks after diagnosis, after  a few admissions in to hospital being very ill. I was relieved when the hysterectomy was decided and had a radical hysterectomy, abdominal, cut from above my tummy button to well, you know where!

I would advise staying in hospital till you know you're ok, having been to the loo and feeling hungry. I went home after 3 nights but had to go back and I had an internal infection and had to go back on day 5 or 6.

6 weeks after I had chemo, external  and internal radiotherapy 

I initially was an emergency, as I had a haemorrhage and was in resus 10 days before diagnosis. So, I guess I didn't have time to consider or worry about options . A pro in a way.

By the time I  got to radiotherapy, I read a lot of research papers ( NOT Dr Google) . I wanted to do the best I could with what I'd been dealt. There is a power in acceptance. It doesn't make if fair or ok but it helped me to try and do the best for myself in the situation I was put in to. 

I could only deal with one part at a time. Op, chemo, radiotherapy. I read how I could may be help myself, with diet, supplements alongside all the medical treatment available to me. I too was worried about changes in going to the loo etc. 

Overall, the NHS saved my life ( and actually not daughter's) , more than once. My life had changed but so far all changes are very manageable and I'm truly grateful to be alive.

I'm still processing this ( 15 months post treatment) which is probably why I e said so much. Bit please, if you have any specific questions, please ask x

I also have a post radiotherapy service at my hospital. Are they talking about treatment after an op? 

JackieN, I’m asking this gently - have you been Googling? If so you’d do far better asking us here as otherwise you’re likely to risk scaring yourself with out dated or even wrong info. Hysterectomy is still a major op but it’s very different to how it was years ago. Many of us have laparoscopic/robotic procedures which involved a number of small incisions - I had 3, one in my belly button, and two about an inch wide on my abdomen - one on the level of my ovaries and one nearer my cervix. With dissolving stitches topped with glue. I can only speak for myself but I’ve had no bladder or bowel issues, and certainly not weight gain - in fact the opposite. I don’t really see any reason for weight gain especially for someone post menopausal unless they’d decided to eat more and move less. 

Hi JackieN

I was 64 when I had my hysterectomy I was supposed to have keyhole but because of previous surgery I had to have an abdominal incision. The scar is right down from above my belly button. I was in hospital for 5 days and just had a small amount of pain relief. I recovered quickly and was driving again after 5 weeks. I was surprised how quickly I recovered. I think it’s important in the early days after the op to listen to your body and not overdo things. Try not to worry I am sure you will be up and about really quickly especially as you are very active and health conscious it will make all the difference.

Linda xxx

Hi Jackie

Welcome to the Womb group.

I am sorry that you have been diagnosed with a grade 3 womb cancer. 

I had an early stage, grade 3 endometrial cancer in 2022. I had the hysterectomy and it was followed up with chemo and then 25 sessions of radiotherapy.

The hysterectomy was done via key hole. I had little pain. I went down for surgery around 12, woke up around 5 and was taken back to my room at around 6. Within a couple of hours they had me up walking around. I recovered well from the surgery and have no lasting effects from it. I was discharged home the following morning. 

No one likes having surgery and no one wants to go through unnecessary surgery but particularly with a grade 3 cancer (it can behave more aggressively) the surgery is your best chance of remaining active, healthy and remaining good for your age. The cancer needs to be removed and the most effective way for this to happen is via surgery. 

Without treatment the cancer will progress and that will affect you remaining healthy and active. 

For me the positives were that the surgery was done quickly, I had little pain, I felt well within around a week. I did have to take things easy for a bit- no lifting etc but I was able to go out, see friends, go for walks each day. I was able to go to the shops with a family member 7 days post op. 

I understand your concerns but another positive is that you have already experienced the menopause so are not going to be affected as some younger ladies are who experience a surgical menopause. Because you are active and healthy this will also greatly help your recovery. 

I did not gain weight after my treatment, in fact I lost a fair bit and generally I am fitter than I was before. I have no bladder or bowel issues that are related to the surgery. 

I remember my diagnosis and I worked fulltime, had a busy life and didn't time to deal with cancer. It knocked me sideways and took time to process and accept. Although I didn't relish the thought of treatment I just wanted the cancer out. In the end I just had to put my trust in my team and take their advice. 

At times it was not easy but I did all the treatment asked of me and I am now coming up to 4 years post treatment for an aggressive type of cancer. For me the surgery felt the easy and most straightforward aspect of it all. You are fit and healthy and this will really help.

Do give the Support Line a call if it would help to talk things through.

Jane

Hello

I am 56 and was diagnosed with Grade 3 womb cancer because consultant was concerned about cancer spread had open surgery from above my belly button down to my horizontal scar from caesarean. I also had 3 sessions of Brachytherapy 8 week after my op.

I recovered well had 3 nights in hospital, was back working as IT project manager 2 weeks after op and went skiing ( with consultant support) 4 months after my op.

i know everyone is different but now 8 months out physically I don’t think I have had any detrimental effects from my treatment  It also mad we want to embrace what life has to offer, 

Hi I had my hysterectomy 2 weeks ago.  Mine was for stage 1 womb cancer but still waiting for the final grade have been told it will be about 3 more weeks.  Before I had surgery I was in a lot of pain,  I couldn't work ,walk my dogs or drive because of the pain and house work was impossible.  Now 2 weeks on I feel so much better no pain meds but the occasional paracetamol and I was on pregabalin twice a day and dihydrocodeineI 3 times a day as well as paracetamol when needed. like you had doubts about having the surgery as I was told they were not certain that it would stop the pain. I am glad I did it.  I had mine key hole 3 small incisions which have mostly healed.  Yes I am still limited to what I can do but every day I feel a bit stronger and more the old me . I walk round the road from me every day take about 10 minutes just started going out twice a day  . I considered myself a healthy 63 year old and this is only the 4th op I have ever had, the 3 others C section for my kids .  Hope this helps