Period cramps after hysterectomy

[Anonymous]

I had a laparoscopic partial hysterectomy 9 days ago - took the uterus and tubes and left ovaries and cervix. Feel like I'm healing really well. Until this afternoon that is. And I can't decide if I overdid it yesterday or it's because my period would normally be arriving now. The area around my larger incision is tender, after being fine for a couple of days. And I have what feels like my normal period pains - cramping in pelvic region and pressure in my vagina. I understand I'll still ovulate, but just won't bleed every month since I have no uterus to shed lining. And the cramps are worse than normal. I think the main problem might be that I always had cramps worse on the left side and that is also where my bigger incision is.

I've googled all around, searched hyster sisters, etc... If you had a hysterectomy, did you still get PMS symptoms when you would normally be getting your period?

I don't want to break down and take a Percocet because it gives me a headache. I've taken my prescription ibuprofen, but it's doing nothing for me.

[Anonymous]

I had menstrual cramps that were phantom pains for several weeks after hysterectomy. Normal from what I can tell. I'd take your pain med if you need it. Which is worse, the headache from the Percocet or the post op pain? If it's the former, then you just have to make due with the ibuprofen.

[Anonymous]

I did end up taking half the Percocet. So far, it's helped with the pain an no headache. But based on the severity of the headaches the last 2 times I took one, it was a difficult choice between the headache and the pain.

Did the phantom menstrual cramps go away in subsequent months?

[Anonymous]

Had the same type of pain, went away pretty quickly.

[Anonymous]

The cervix is basically just the neck of the uterus, and cramps can emanate from there, especially if the doctor didn't cut low down enough at the intersection of the cervix and uterus and left some uterine tissue.

Do you have endometriosis? If so, you unfortunately might be headed down the road I'm on, which is that a partial hyster leaves the cervix as a prime place for endo implants to grow. I still had periods and cramps every month, beyond the "mini period" that sometimes gets mentioned (had to use panty liners for five or six days each month).

I've already had to have a LEEP to core out my cervix, and I can feel it still didn't get all the endo, although I'm not bleeding anymore, at least. I'm probably going to have the cervix and my one remaining ovary removed.

But you are early in your recovery, so don't sweat some pains right now. It may take your body (and hormones) a little time to adjust from what just transpired....

[Anonymous]

I had adenomyosis. He did say something about basically cutting off top of my cervix. I think he described it as leaving a stump - but this was morning after when I was still groggy. I'll be sure to ask more at my follow up appointment.

Feeling much better this morning, so I 'll put it down to overdoing it Thursday . It was probably the instinctive grab of my 2 year old when he was getting ready to take a tumble off a big snow bank

[Anonymous]

Adenomyosis sucks--I had it too (hence the partial). You should probably be okay--you may have just overdone, and also if while you're healing something presses against the cervix, it may "cramp" to try to expel it the way it expelled bleeding in the past.

Definitely take it easy for another couple weeks!