Bleeding After Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus is known as hysterectomy. Hysterectomy ends the ability of the woman to get pregnant and ends her menstrual cycle. There are a number of reasons why hysterectomy needs to be performed. Some women have to deal with abnormal vaginal bleeding,which cannot be controlled by other treatment methods and in such cases, hysterectomy needs to be performed. Depending on the reasons for hysterectomy, the surrounding organs and tissues may also have to be removed. In some cases, partial hysterectomy is also performed while in others, along with hysterectomy, the cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries may also be removed. A common problem that a number of women have to deal with is bleeding after hysterectomy.

Post Hysterectomy Bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is common for about four to six weeks after hysterectomy. Bleeding usually lasts till the sutures dissolve and the surrounding tissue heals. Often the color of bleeding after vaginal hysterectomy is light. Bleeding right after the surgery can be heavy and can also be dark red in color. After the first few days, the bleeding stops for good.

A number of women have experienced a burst of bleeding about two to three weeks after the surgery. This blood is often the collection of blood clots in the pelvis which had accumulated after the surgery. It is important to note how much are you bleeding after the surgery. In most cases, it decreases as the internal wounds begin to heal. If you notice that the bleeding decreases with each passing day, then you do not have a cause to be worried about. But if you notice that you have significantly decreased bleeding on one day and the next day, there is increase in bleeding, you will have to bring this to your surgeon's notice. Heavy bleeding any time is, however, not a normal situation. In such case, talk to your surgeon without wasting any time. You will also have to make note of the color of bleeding. If you notice, that the bleeding is bright red fresh blood, it is an indication of a fresh source of bleeding.

If you experience occasional bleeding or vaginal bleeding around two to eight weeks after the surgery, it can be due to suture dissolving. When the suture dissolves depends upon the type of suture used and how long that particular one takes to dissolve. There is often spontaneous bright red spotting. The bleeding is an occasional spotting or a pink discharge. In rare cases only can this spotting be bright red in color. In a one-off case, it can be heavy. Many women also experience bleeding after an intercourse or a physical activity.

There have also been cases where there has been post-operative vaginal bleeding many years after hysterectomy. This bleeding can be caused due to growth of healing tissue on its own. Some cases have also shown the prolapse of a fallopian tube. Endometriosis after hysterectomyis another reason which can cause bleeding after hysterectomy. Low estrogen levels and traumatic irritation can cause atrophic vaginitis, which in turn leads to bleeding. Cancerous growth at the end of the vaginal opening can also cause bleeding.

Any sort of bleeding about 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery will have to be brought to the surgeon's notice. It can be an indicator of a serious problem which will need thorough examination. If you have had a partial hysterectomy, then you may not worry as this bleeding can be as a result of a regular period. If it has been beyond 6 to 8 weeks of surgery and you still experience bleeding after an intercourse, you will have to consult your gynecologist about the same.