After surgery for cervical cancer, you may have some side effects.
Problems with how the bladder works
Surgery can affect some of the nerves to the bladder. You may feel that you’re not able to empty your bladder completely or that you’re emptying your bladder very slowly. These problems usually improve with time. You may also leak some urine after surgery (urinary incontinence).
Lymphoedema
Sometimes removing lymph nodes in the pelvic area can stop or slow the natural flow of lymphatic fluid from the legs. This may cause lymphoedema – a build-up of fluid in the soft tissues under the skin – in the legs or genital area. Lymphoedema may appear during treatment or months or years later.
Learn more about lymphoedema.
Menopause
If your ovaries are removed before you’ve gone through menopause, it will cause sudden menopause. This means your periods will stop immediately, and you won’t be able to become pregnant. If you’re finding it difficult to manage menopause symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) might be right for you.
Internal scar tissue (adhesions)
Scar tissue in the pelvis may stick together. Sometimes, these adhesions, particularly those affecting the bowel or bladder, may cause pain or discomfort in the abdomen (belly). Rarely, adhesions may need to be treated with surgery.
Learn more about surgery.
→ READ MORE: Taking care of yourself at home
Podcast: Making Treatment Decisions
Listen to more of our podcast for people affected by cancer
More resources
Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC; Angelyn Aligarbes, Consumer; A/Prof Emma Allanson, Gynaecological Oncologist and Head of Dept, Gynaecologic Oncology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, WA; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist Specialist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC; Danielle Carpenter, Gynaecology Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Pearly Khaw, Lead Radiation Oncologist – Gynae-Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Georgina Richter, Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Research Fellow, Cancer Elimination Collaboration, University of Sydney, NSW; Sophia Wooldridge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital, NSW; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
