Menstrual Disorders

Your ability to have children after surgery depends on the procedure and the reason for it:

• Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) usually means that you will no longer be able to carry a pregnancy, but you may still have functioning ovaries, which means you can produce eggs.
  
  

• Oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) may lead to infertility, but egg retrieval or ovarian tissue freezing prior to surgery is an option for some women.
  
  
• Myomectomy (fibroid removal) may allow you to keep your uterus and preserve fertility, depending on the extent of the surgery.
  If preserving fertility is important to you, discuss your options with your gynecologist ahead of the surgery.
  

After gynecological surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery area. Common post-surgery symptoms include:

• Mild pain or cramping (can usually be managed with pain medications)
  
  

• Fatigue
  
  

• Vaginal bleeding (especially after procedures like D&C or hysterectomy)
  
  
• Bloating or nausea
  Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor your recovery, and your doctor will provide specific instructions on resuming daily activities.

Your doctor will give you specific guidelines, but here’s a general idea:

• Light activities like walking may be allowed within a few days to weeks.
  
  
• More strenuous activities like heavy lifting, exercise, or sexual activity may need to be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the surgery.
  It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice to avoid complications.
  

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended if the surgery involves removal of the ovaries or other hormone-producing organs. This helps balance hormone levels and alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, or vaginal dryness.