Emotional Changes After A Hysterectomy
The impact of a hysterectomy is not only physical - it is also emotional. Not all women are prepared for just how emotional having a hysterectomy can be. However, recognising the potential emotional effects will equip you to cope with the changes in your thoughts and feelings during this life-changing period. This is not to say that all women will suffer emotionally as a result of a hysterectomy and, in general, a hysterectomy will not cause emotional problems for otherwise psychologically healthy individuals. Indeed, you might find that you feel happier due to the alleviation of your symptoms experienced prior to surgery, such as pain and discomfort with intercourse. If you do find yourself feeling low or depressed you are certainly not alone. There are a number of reasons why you might find yourself becoming emotional:
No more childbearing.
A hysterectomy represents an end to your childbearing years, which can feel like a huge loss. This loss can be experienced equally by young women who were not prepared for such an early end to their fertility and by women with a family. Even women who felt they did not want children have reported a sense of sadness and loss at no longer having the option. Be prepared to make adjustments to improve your feelings of femininity after your hysterectomy. While you will experience physical changes to your body, the feeling of loss of femininity and self-esteem can be just as troubling.
Menopause and hormonal changes.
If your ovaries are removed at the time of your hysterectomy your oestrogen production will cease and you will enter the menopause. This sudden change, with no gradual transition, can lead to mood swings, depression, crying spells, insomnia, and irritability in some women. Prior to surgery we will discuss the role of hormone replacement therapy. Even when your ovaries are not removed, you may experience a gradual decline in your oestrogen levels.
Pre-existing emotional distress.
If you experienced depression, anxiety or other psychological problems pre-surgery, you are more likely to experience the emotional impact of a hysterectomy. During midlife, many women are already experiencing huge changes within their lives, especially related to career and family. A hysterectomy, especially one that causes a surgical menopause, is likely to exacerbate any stress you are already under.
Lack of control.
For many women, there is no alternative to having a hysterectomy. If you, like countless other women, suffer from a condition that requires you to have a hysterectomy, you may feel angry at your lack of control over the situation. It might feel like your life is out of your hands and you just have to do as you are told. Feeling like you do not have a say in what happens to your body can be a hard blow to your self-esteem.
Fortunately, much of the emotional stress associated with a hysterectomy will pass with time, as you recover from the procedure. If your symptoms persist as well as contacting your healthcare provider there are a number of steps you can take to make life that little bit easier for yourself:
Know that you are not alone.
Over 75,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the UK and there is evidence that some women feel depressed after the procedure. There is, however, extensive evidence indicating that depression is not an inevitable outcome of hysterectomy (Cohen et al., 2011). One study found that women who went through hysterectomy-induced menopause were no more at risk of depression than women who went through natural menopause (Seaman, 2012).
Seek support.
In many cases the emotional after effects of the procedure can be minimised with counselling, a good support system, and the help of your doctor. Having a good support system is essential to having a healthy state of mind in the best of times, and after your hysterectomy you will need it even more. While it is not always appropriate to break down in tears or lose your temper in front of everybody, it is also not a good idea to hide your feelings from your friends and family. This will create a barrier between you and your loved ones that will likely make you feel even more alone. Talk to the people you trust and let them know how they can best support you.
Seek support.
In many cases the emotional after effects of the procedure can be minimised with counselling, a good support system, and the help of your doctor. Having a good support system is essential to having a healthy state of mind in the best of times, and after your hysterectomy you will need it even more. While it is not always appropriate to break down in tears or lose your temper in front of everybody, it is also not a good idea to hide your feelings from your friends and family. This will create a barrier between you and your loved ones that will likely make you feel even more alone. Talk to the people you trust and let them know how they can best support you.
Don’t overanalyse the experiences of others.
While it is useful to consider the symptoms that those close to you have experienced, the truth is that your post-hysterectomy emotions will be unique. While a well-meaning mother, sister, grandmother, or friend, might describe the mood swings and other emotional effects they experienced after their own hysterectomy, keep in mind that medical science is constantly developing, and that the procedures performed today are much more precise than those 15-years ago. Nobody can predict exactly how your mind or body will respond to the procedure, so try not to scare yourself into experiencing symptoms psychologically. The truth is that the majority of women have a very good chance of a fast recovery, with many experiencing little to no emotional distress after their hysterectomy.
Treat yourself.
If you find yourself feeling less feminine, as many women do, treat yourself in a way that will help you feel like a woman. Small activities, like getting a manicure, a new dress, or even having a candlelit dinner, can help to speed up your emotional recovery. If you continue to feel that you simply cannot cope with the loss of your uterus, you may wish to seek professional help. A wide variety of therapeutic and medicinal treatments can help improve your mood, making it easier to recover. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is usually recommended when both ovaries are removed in order to provide your body with more oestrogen, which in turn will help you feel more feminine.
Try to remember that there is much more to a hysterectomy than just the negative experiences you read about. Positive physical and emotional changes are often experienced within a relatively short period of time after a hysterectomy. If you suffered from chronic pain, heavy bleeding or cramps before your operation, you will likely begin to notice a gradual improvement in these conditions within weeks. After your body has recovered, your sex life can continue in much the same way as before. Birth control will no longer be an issue for you, and you’ll never have to keep track of your menstruation cycles ever again. There is a bright side to this life-changing procedure!
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