Recovery after hysterectomy: week by week

The ranges below come from NHS pages and several hospital leaflets, and they disagree in places because recovery depends on the route of surgery, the reason for it and local protocols. The NHS says recovery is quicker after vaginal and keyhole procedures than after an abdominal one.

The operation itself, the types of hysterectomy and the alternatives are covered in the linked hysterectomy guide. Whether the ovaries were removed also matters: the NHS notes vaginal dryness can occur, especially without ovaries.

The NHS says vaginal bleeding can occur for up to 6 weeks but is lighter than a period, and to seek medical help for heavy bleeding, blood clots or foul-smelling discharge. Plymouth describes bleeding for one to two weeks resembling a light period, and notes that some women have a sudden gush of old blood or fluid about 10 days later. Hull says light brown-red bleeding is normal in the first week or two.

Plymouth explains tiredness as the body using a lot of energy to heal, and says it is often the last symptom to improve. Emotional ups and downs are also common; the NHS says to talk to your GP about persistent depression.

Plymouth suggests starting pelvic floor exercises after the catheter is removed, with short squeezes and long squeezes, building towards 10 long squeezes of up to 10 seconds each followed by 10 short squeezes, at least three times a day. The NHS encourages walking, and says swimming is possible once wounds have healed.

The NHS says to avoid heavy lifting throughout recovery. Hull says to restrict to light loads in the first 1 to 2 weeks and expects full lifting by 4 to 6 weeks after keyhole surgery. Plymouth is more cautious, advising against lifting 3 to 4kg or more for up to 12 weeks depending on the surgery, and Milton Keynes advises avoiding heavy lifting for the whole three-month recovery.

For driving, the NHS says to resume when comfortable with the seatbelt and an emergency stop, typically 2 to 6 weeks. Hull says 4 to 6 weeks, Plymouth 2 to 4 weeks (after 24 hours post-anaesthetic) and Milton Keynes 3 to 4 weeks. GOV.UK says you must tell DVLA if you are still unable to drive 3 months after an operation. Check your insurer's terms as well.

The NHS says to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks for sex, until scars have healed and discharge has stopped, and notes vaginal dryness may occur. Hull explains that vaginal stitches can take up to 6 weeks to dissolve, Plymouth says at least six weeks with some surgeons advising up to 3 months, and Milton Keynes warns that early intercourse can cause bleeding from the stitch line.

On work, the NHS says it may be possible to return after 6 to 8 weeks if your job is not manual or heavy. Hull advises at least 6 weeks, and Milton Keynes gives 6 to 12 weeks. Plymouth notes that laparoscopic patients with desk jobs may return sooner.

Contact your GP, NHS 111 or the ward for fever with vaginal bleeding, heavy bleeding or clots, foul-smelling discharge, increasing abdominal pain with vomiting, wound redness or discharge and calf swelling or pain. Call 999 for breathlessness or chest pain, which may signal a clot in the lung.