Community Views: Post-Hysterectomy Pain 

Life with endometriosis often means dealing with a significant amount of pain. It can strike when you least expect it, and it can greatly impact your quality of life. For some people with endometriosis, a total or partial hysterectomy may be recommended. While surgery may help reduce pain, it does not guarantee it will be completely resolved.

To learn more about the pain that some community members have continued to experience after a hysterectomy, we turned to followers of our Facebook page. We asked members to tell us: “Have you experienced menstrual pain or symptoms post hysterectomy?”

Community members weighed in with a variety of responses. Here are some of the answers that were shared.

many still have pain after a hysterectomy

following a hysterectomy, many of you shared that, unfortunately, your pain did return. Sometimes the pain returned immediately after surgery, and other times it came back after a period of respite. if you are still experiencing pain after a total or partial hysterectomy, talk to your doctor about what might be causing it.

“yes, the same pain before and after.”“i had maybe 6 months with no pain.”“unfortunately, before and after.”“i am 10 months post-op and experience ovulation pain in my remaining ovary.”

“I am 4 years post-op and am having the cramps now.”

“13 years post hysterectomy, and I still deal with pain daily.”

“It is still pinching like it was 2 weeks after the hysterectomy, almost 3.5 years ago.”

“The first week was amazing, but this week has been rough and back to the pains.”

The pain is better, but still there

For some of you, the pain improved somewhat following the hysterectomy. While the intensity has diminished, some community members shared that they continue to experience some level of pain.

“The pain is not as bad as before the hysterectomy so when needed I will take a tramadol, and it seems to help.”

“I had a hysterectomy but still had pain in the ovaries. After removing the ovaries I still have phantom pains, but it is nothing like it was.”

Menopause symptoms following hysterectomy

A hysterectomy can put the body into surgically induced menopause if the ovaries are also removed. Without the ovaries producing estrogen and testosterone, menopause symptoms will start to occur. While some of the endometriosis pain lessened, the increase in menopause symptoms brings new challenges for many community members.

“Surgical menopause issues here and there, but mainly serious problems with vaginal cuff abscess.”

“I now have menopause symptoms and all the fun things that go along with that.”

No more pain after hysterectomy

For some community members, a hysterectomy was a life-changing procedure. After the recovery, some were relieved to find that all of their menstrual and endometriosis pain had been eliminated.

“I had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago and have felt no pain or any symptoms other than the occasional hot flash. Best thing I ever did.”

“I am living a totally new life for 5 years.”

“Total hysterectomy after years and years of endometriosis surgeries and not a single pain or symptom since. Best decision my doctor and I ever made!”

Thank you to everyone who shared. We appreciate hearing from so many in the community! Let's keep the conversation going!