Side effects after surgery

After surgery for cancer of the uterus, you may experience some of these side effects:

Menopause 

If your ovaries are removed and you have not been through menopause, removal will cause sudden menopause. For ways to manage menopausal symptoms, see menopause and for other concerns see fertility.

Impact on sexuality 

The changes you experience after surgery may affect how you feel about sex and how you respond sexually. You may notice changes such as vaginal dryness and loss of libido.

Read more about managing changes to sexuality and intimacy and learn more about Sexuality, Intimacy and Cancer.

Lymphoedema 

The removal of lymph nodes from the pelvis can stop lymph fluid from draining normally, causing swelling in the legs known as lymphoedema. The risk of developing lymphoedema is low following most operations for cancer of the uterus in Australia, but it is higher in women who had a full lymphadenectomy followed by external beam radiation therapy. Symptoms appear gradually, sometimes years after the treatment. Your treatment team will explain how to reduce your risk.

Read more about managing lymphoedema.

Vaginal vault prolapse 

This is when the top of the vagina drops towards the vaginal opening because the structures that support it have weakened. Having a hysterectomy does not appear to increase the risk of vaginal vault prolapse in women without pelvic floor issues. Prolapse is more commonly caused by childbirth and weak pelvic floor muscles. To help prevent prolapse, it is important to do pelvic floor exercises several times a day. Most women can start these exercises 1–2 weeks after surgery. Your treatment team may explain how to do these exercises or you can see a women’s health physiotherapist.

For more on this, see Exercise during cancer treatment.