Health
Avoid Hysterectomy Fatigue
Women getting a hysterectomy can help reduce fatigue after surgery by knowing about and dealing with the debilitating side effect in advance, researchers say.
A survey of 300 women finds 74 percent indicating that they experienced extreme fatigue and 37 percent saying it interfered with their recovery more than any other problem -- including pain, sexual dysfunction, and hot flashes.
Dr. Jeff Chang, of the University of California at San Diego, says most women don't know how serious fatigue can impact their lives or what causes it. He says they're surprised at how bad it is and how long it lasts.
Dr. Chang, who presented his study at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's annual meeting in September, says on average, women experience fatigue for more than 10 weeks following a hysterectomy, compared with just 4.5 weeks of pain. He says while 39 percent were diagnosed as anemic, only 15 percent were treated for it and more than two-thirds received little or no information about helpful treatments.
Chang says he hopes the information will prompt women to talk with their physician about anemia and the many ways it can be alleviated. The survey also shows 32 percent of women said being tired interfered with their return to sexual activity after surgery and 55 percent felt they had difficulty caring for their families because of it.
A survey of 300 women finds 74 percent indicating that they experienced extreme fatigue and 37 percent saying it interfered with their recovery more than any other problem -- including pain, sexual dysfunction, and hot flashes.
Dr. Jeff Chang, of the University of California at San Diego, says most women don't know how serious fatigue can impact their lives or what causes it. He says they're surprised at how bad it is and how long it lasts.
Dr. Chang, who presented his study at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's annual meeting in September, says on average, women experience fatigue for more than 10 weeks following a hysterectomy, compared with just 4.5 weeks of pain. He says while 39 percent were diagnosed as anemic, only 15 percent were treated for it and more than two-thirds received little or no information about helpful treatments.
Chang says he hopes the information will prompt women to talk with their physician about anemia and the many ways it can be alleviated. The survey also shows 32 percent of women said being tired interfered with their return to sexual activity after surgery and 55 percent felt they had difficulty caring for their families because of it.
