How soon can you exercise after a hysterectomy?
It is important to stay active after your hysterectomy through light exercise, such as walking. This will help get your bowels moving so they will function normally, improve your blood flow to reduce your chances of developing a blood clot and increase your energy levels.
However, you should not overdo it with your exercise. Start with a short walk and gradually increase the duration every day to build up your stamina.
If you usually follow a workout routine and gradually increase your exercise during your recovery, you should be able to return to your usual workout in around four to six weeks. However, you should still speak to your doctor before you perform any strenuous exercise, such as contact sports, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or weightlifting.
Sex
You should avoid having sex until your wound has fully healed and your vaginal discharge has completely stopped. This usually takes four to six weeks. If you then feel comfortable to have sex, it is safe to do so. However, you may experience some vaginal dryness if your ovaries were removed and you are not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
It is normal to experience an initial loss of interest in sex after a hysterectomy. However, your sex drive will usually return once you are fully recovered. You may find that you enjoy sex more due to reduced pain from any condition you had before which was treated by having a hysterectomy.
Contraception
After your hysterectomy, you will not be able to become pregnant again, so you will not need to use contraception to prevent pregnancy. However, you should still use condoms if you are having sex with a man to prevent yourself from catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Emotional recovery
In some women, there are emotional consequences to having a hysterectomy, which can depend on any hormonal changes and feelings about fertility. A hysterectomy removes your womb and prevents you from becoming pregnant, which can lead to a feeling of loss and grief. You may also feel depressed, particularly if your hysterectomy was performed to treat cancer.
It is normal to go through emotional changes after a hysterectomy and it is important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional to help you cope with these emotions.
What not to do after a hysterectomy
After your hysterectomy, make sure you avoid:
Hysterectomy recovery tips
You will need to rest a lot after your hysterectomy. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night and if you are feeling especially tired, sleep for longer at night and/or take a short nap during the day.
Make sure you follow a healthy, balanced diet to aid your recovery and increase your energy levels. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
It is also important to eat high-fibre foods to reduce the risk or severity of constipation as your bowel will be working more slowly after a hysterectomy and certain painkillers can increase your risk of constipation. If a high-fibre diet isnt enough to prevent constipation, drink more water and talk to your doctor about taking a laxative for a short period of time.
If you are a smoker, avoid smoking during your recovery as it slows down your bodys ability to heal and recover.
Finally, make sure you attend all of your follow-up appointments. During these appointments your doctor will check on your recovery and you can discuss any concerns you have.
Read more:
Hysterectomy recovery timeline and tips - Spire Healthcare
