The potential benefits of a hysterectomy may be lifesaving, especially in terms of someone diagnosed with cancer. For women who have severe pelvic pain or abnormally heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia), a hysterectomy can mean relief of painful symptoms.

Although a hysterectomy can at times be a life-saving procedure, it is important for women to explore their options and understand the risks involved with this procedure. A hysterectomy can impact a woman’s health, longevity and sexuality. Some of the potential long-term health consequences of a hysterectomy include:

• Greater risk of heart disease
  
  
• Greater risk of osteoporosis, especially for women under 45 years old
  
  
• Increased risk of depression
  
  
• Sexual dysfunctions, including low libido and the inability to achieve orgasm
  
  
• Intense menopausal symptoms
  
  
• Difficulty urinating
  
  
• Weakness of the pelvic muscles and ligaments that support the vagina, bladder and rectum
  
  
• Continued heavy bleeding
  
  
• Scar tissue (adhesions) in the pelvic area

Infections are a common complication after a hysterectomy. Other medical complications that occur only rarely following a hysterectomy include:

• Heavy blood loss requiring blood transfusion
• Bowel or bladder injury
• Blood clot in the lung
• Anesthesia problems
• Wound pulling apart
• Collection of blood (hematoma) at the surgical site

Premenopausal women who undergo a hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries experience surgical menopause. This results in immediate symptoms of menopause, which in many cases, are intense and longer lasting than with natural menopause.

In addition, women under the age of 45 who have their ovaries removed should consider estrogen replacement therapy, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic. Results from the study indicate that women younger that 45 who undergo bilateral oophorectomy may be at increased risk of death from hormone-related cancers and diseases of the brain and cardiovascular system when they do not receive estrogen following removal of the ovaries. An earlier study conducted by the same Mayo research team also found a greater risk of dementia or cognitive impairment in younger women who underwent removal of their ovaries.