Women with cervical cancer, chronic pelvic pain or other reproductive medical conditions may experience symptom relief following a vaginal hysterectomy. A vaginal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman's uterus is removed through her vagina. As with any type of surgery, complications can arise in certain women following a vaginal hysterectomy. Women should discuss these potential complications with a medical professional before having this type of surgery.
Constipation or Difficulty Urinating
Bowel or urinary complications can arise in certain women following a vaginal hysterectomy. The bowel or bladder can become inflamed, which may interfere with the natural movement of stools or urine through these internal body regions. Consequently, women can experience constipation or urinary retention as temporary complications from a vaginal hysterectomy, warn health professionals with UpToDate. A surgeon may place a long, thin tube called a catheter within a woman's bladder to help drain the retained urine out of her body. Additionally, her doctor can prescribe laxatives or stool softeners to help alleviate constipation symptoms.
Internal Organ Damage
Surgical removal of the uterus through a woman's vagina can cause damage to surrounding organs, explain MedlinePlus medical professionals. If bladder or intestinal damage occurs during surgery, it is typically detected and repaired immediately. In certain cases, internal organ damage is discovered after a vaginal hysterectomy and may require additional surgery to address this complication.
Early Menopause
Women who have a vaginal hysterectomy are more likely to experience early menopause symptoms, warns UpToDate. Early menopause occurs most frequently in women who also have their ovaries removed during a vaginal hysterectomy. Menopause is a time point within a woman's life during which her normal menstrual cycle ends. Symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness and infertility, can be especially difficult for young women who undergo a vaginal hysterectomy.
Infection, Bleeding or Blood Clots
Surgical procedures, such as a vaginal hysterectomy, increase a woman's risk of developing complications that include infection, bleeding or blood clots. Although extensive bleeding rarely occurs, affected women may require a blood transfusion after surgery to restore their normal blood levels. Infection complications, which affect less than 5 percent of women following a vaginal hysterectomy, typically require antibiotic treatment to resolve infection symptoms, explains UpToDate. Women who develop blood clots can experience life-threatening medical complications, especially if a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart, lungs or brain. A doctor will typically monitor a woman for several weeks after surgery to ensure that if these complications from a vaginal hysterectomy occur, they are promptly detected and treated.
