Hysterectomy Recovery: What Can You Expect?

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on July 24, 2024
Written by Jeanie Lerche Davis, Nicole Schmidt
8 min read

After a hysterectomy, you will have a brief recovery time in the hospital. Recovery time is important because it helps you to avoid any complications after surgery and ease back into your routine. Your recovery time at home — before you can get back to all your regular activities — will vary depending on your age, level of health, and the type of procedure you had.

Abdominal hysterectomy. Most women go home 2-3 days after this surgery, but complete recovery takes 6-8 weeks. During this time, you need to rest at home. You shouldn't do any tasks until you talk with your doctor about limits. Walking is encouraged, but don't do any lifting for the first 2 weeks. After 6 weeks, you can get back to your regular activities, including having sex.

Vaginal or laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). A vaginal hysterectomy is less surgically invasive than an abdominal procedure, and recovery can be as short as 2 weeks. Most women come home the same day or the next. Walking is encouraged, but not heavy lifting. You will need to abstain from sex for at least 6 weeks.

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). This procedure is the least invasive and can have a recovery period as short as 6 days to 2 weeks. Walking is encouraged, but you shouldn't do any heavy lifting.

Robotic hysterectomy. The surgeon's movements are copied by robotic arms that make small incisions or cuts to remove the uterus. Most women come home the next day. If your cervix is removed, you will have the same restrictions as you would have for an LAVH.

Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms after any type of hysterectomy:

After your hysterectomy surgery, you’ll be moved to the hospital’s recovery room where nurses will check on you as you recover. You might feel tired or foggy from the anesthesia. It’s normal to have some pain around the area affected by the procedure, but you’ll be given pain medication, usually through an IV drip in your arm, to help manage it. You may also have a small tube called a catheter inserted into your bladder to help you pee. Depending on the type of surgery, your doctor might use a drainage tube to take blood and fluid away from the wound or place a gauze pack in your vagina to help prevent bleeding. Some people may also feel like they need to poop right after hysterectomy surgery.

Recovery for each type of surgery will look different.

Most women go home 2-3 days after an abdominal hysterectomy, but complete recovery takes 6-8 weeks. Your doctor will cover the incision with tape and gauze, which can be removed after 48 hours.

At home, it’s important to keep the area clean and dry. If your stitches aren’t dissolvable or able to break down on their own, your doctor will remove them 5-7 days after the surgery.

During your recovery, you’ll need to rest at home. You shouldn't do any tough activities, have sexual intercourse, or lift heavy objects until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

Walking is encouraged — especially during the first 2 days after the surgery, to help you avoid blood clots. Start with short walks and increase the distance over time. After 6 weeks, you can get back to your usual activities, including having sex and exercising. 

It’s normal to have an incision scar after an abdominal hysterectomy.

A vaginal hysterectomy, where the uterus and cervix are removed through the vagina, is less surgically invasive than an abdominal procedure, and recovery can be as short as 3 weeks. Most women come home the same day or the next. In some cases, the doctor will insert a small tube into your vagina to drain extra blood and fluid after surgery, which will be removed before you leave the hospital.

The day after surgery, you’ll be encouraged to sit up in bed and go for short walks. You might feel gassy or bloated, but drinking peppermint water and moving around can help. If you’re constipated, your doctor will give you a mild laxative to soften your stool.

During your first 2 weeks at home, be sure to rest. You can do light activities around the house but shouldn’t lift anything heavier than 3 pounds at first. It’s normal to have some vaginal bleeding in the first 2 weeks after surgery. It can be similar to a light period, or a sudden gush of blood after about 10 days. Avoid using tampons during this time. You also shouldn't have sex or lift heavy objects for at least 6 weeks.

Since this procedure uses smaller incisions, you will usually have less pain and bleeding and aren’t as likely to get an infection as other forms of surgery. You may even be able to go home the same day. 

During surgery, your surgeon will inflate your abdomen with air to get a better look at your organs. This can cause shoulder pain for the first 2 days after the surgery. You may have stitches or tape over the incisions in your belly. Make sure to keep the area clean and dry. 

In laparoscopic hysterectomy, your uterus is removed, but your cervix and ovaries are left in place. This helps with vaginal dryness because the cervical glands continue to make mucus. Most people won’t need hormone replacement therapy afterward because the ovaries still work. This type of hysterectomy also helps with pelvic support by keeping the ligaments that support your cervix and vagina intact.

Most people start to feel better in 2-3 weeks. During this time, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous or harder exercises, but it’s a good idea to walk each day.

During this surgery, the surgeon’s movements are copied by robotic arms that make small incisions to remove the uterus. Most women come home the next day. If your cervix is removed, you will have a similar recovery to someone who had an LAVH. You’ll be given pain medication to help with any discomfort; you’ll need to keep the incision site clean and dry; and you might have some light vaginal bleeding. Full recovery should take 3-4 weeks, during which time you should go for walks, but avoid heavy lifting and sexual intercourse.

Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms with any type of hysterectomy:

  • Fever or chills
  • Heavy bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge
  • Severe pain, nausea or vomiting
  • Redness or discharge from incisions
  • Problems urinating or having a bowel movement
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain

For most women, life without a uterus means relief from the symptoms that caused them to have a hysterectomy, including heavy vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and bloating.

If you had a partial hysterectomy, there might still be some uterine lining in your cervix, which can cause light periods for up to a year after surgery. After a full hysterectomy, you won’t have periods at all, but you might still feel bloated or have menstrual-like symptoms.

If your ovaries are removed, you may face additional challenges. If you hadn’t gone through menopause before your hysterectomy, you will likely start having menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and mood swings. A hysterectomy won’t affect your ability to have sex, but as your body adjusts to changes in hormone levels, you may notice some changes in sexual desire and enjoyment, including a lower sex drive and vaginal dryness. Most women begin hormone replacement therapy before they leave the hospital to help with the transition.

Having a hysterectomy can be an emotional process. You may grieve over the loss of your uterus and your ability to have children. If you had surgery because of illness or cancer, you may go through additional physical and mental changes. These feelings are normal but usually temporary. It’s important to talk to your doctor or a mental health therapist about them. Many people, however, find that a hysterectomy improves their health and well-being.

Hormonal changes

If your ovaries were removed during your hysterectomy, you may want to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ease some of the symptoms of menopause. Your age and medical history are factors to consider when deciding on whether HRT is right for you. Be sure to discuss with your doctor. 

Some nonhormonal treatments can help, too. Effexor and other SSRI antidepressants, Clonidine (a blood pressure medication), and Neurontin (prescribed for seizures and nerve pain) can help treat hot flashes.

Pain during intercourse

Some women experience pain during intercourse after a hysterectomy due to hormonal changes, scar tissue, or pelvic floor weakness. It helps to try different sex positions, lubricants, and moisturizers (such as K-Y oils or Replens). A low-dose vaginal estrogen cream, suppository, or ring can also help with vaginal dryness.

Pelvic weakness and urinary issues

Pelvic weakness sometimes develops after a hysterectomy. If you had some pelvic weakness before surgery, it may get worse afterward, potentially causing bladder or bowel problems. Kegel exercises can strengthen pelvic muscles to help manage urinary incontinence. In some cases, corrective surgery may be necessary.

A hysterectomy is a major surgery that can lead to big physical and emotional changes. How quickly you’ll heal depends on your age, health, and the type of surgery you had. During this time, it's important to gradually ease back into your routine. There are treatments available to help manage the side effects of the surgery. Make sure to talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have during your recovery.

How long does it take to recover from a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy recovery times can vary depending on your age, health, and the type of surgery. Laparoscopic procedures often have a shorter recovery period, around 2 weeks, whereas other types of surgery may take up to 6 weeks to fully heal.

What are the downsides of having a hysterectomy?

If you haven’t gone through menopause yet, having a hysterectomy means that you won’t be able to have children naturally. Some types of hysterectomy will also trigger early menopause, which can have side effects such as mood swings and hot flashes. The procedure can cause some physical changes, too, including changes in how your bladder or bowels work.

What does no one tell you about a hysterectomy?

It’s not talked about as often, but a hysterectomy can bring unexpected emotional challenges, including feelings of loss or changes in self-identity. Many people are also surprised by the surgery’s impact on sex and intimacy.

What are the dos and don'ts after hysterectomy?

After a hysterectomy, do follow your doctor’s instructions for recovery, allow yourself to rest, and gradually introduce light activities, such as walking. Don’t lift heavy objects, overexert yourself, or have sex until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.

What is the recovery time for a full hysterectomy?

Recovering from a full hysterectomy usually takes 4-6 weeks, depending on the type of surgery.

What happens to a woman's body after a full hysterectomy?

When the ovaries are removed in a full hysterectomy, it stops periods and triggers menopause. This hormonal change often causes symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.