Complications of Surgical Adhesions After a Hysterectomy

When you are headed in for your hysterectomy, there are likely many things going through your mind. You are probably thinking about the surgery itself, the recovery, pain, but you probably didn't consider surgical adhesions. That's okay, because most women don't. I did not think about these when I went in for my hysterectomy last year. However, it is important to know about them and what their potential complications so if they occur you can be prepared.

An adhesion is a band of scar tissue. It may "stick itself" to one of your abdominal or pelvic organs or to your abdominal wall. If you are having a laparoscopic hysterectomy like I did, your chance of developing adhesions is slightly lower, but the risk is definitely still there. An adhesion can form within just a few weeks following your hysterectomy, or it may take as long as a year or more. Some women experience no issues with adhesions, but some experience complications related to an adhesion.

Pelvic Pain Associated with Surgical Adhesions

One study reports that of 224 patients experiencing chronic pelvic pain, 82 percent of them experienced it due to adhesions. They had no other disease present that would cause pelvic pain. The pain results from the adhesions causing tissues and organs that are normally separate to bind together. As you go about your day, the nearby nerves are affected as the tissues stretch, causing you pain.

Infertility Associated with Surgical Adhesions

Infertility is a possible complication of adhesions. The infertility may result due to adhesions between the fallopian tubes, pelvic walls or ovaries preventing the egg that is released by the ovaries from making its way through your fallopian tubes. If you have an adhesion around the fallopian tubes, it can be impossible or very difficult for sperm to travel to the egg. In one study of 733 women experiencing infertility, it was determined that 37 percent had adhesions. Of these women, 41 percent were infertile solely because of these adhesions. Some experts say that as much as 40 percent of infertility cases are due to adhesions.

Painful Sexual Intercourse Associated with Surgical Adhesions

Surgical adhesions may cause you to experience pain during sexual intercourse. This is also known as dyspareunia.

Bowel Obstruction Associated with Surgical Adhesions

One of the primary causes of intestinal blockages are adhesions. Approximately 30 to 60 percent of intestinal blockages are due to adhesions. When a blockage is present, feces cannot travel through your intestines. This may cause nausea and vomiting, and pain. It may also cause infection or the need for another surgery.

Resources

National Women's Health Resource Center: Reproductive and Pelvic Health