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What Can Cause Stabbing Pains, Cramping And Spotting After A Vaginal Hysterectomy?
I recently had a vaginal hysterectomy 2 weeks ago. The surgery went as planned and I was able to keep my ovaries. I am having left outer thigh stabbing pains and some cramping and spotting. I stopped spotting maybe 2 or 3 days post op and started spotting again about 2 or 3 days ago. Is this normal and what can I do?
Sat, 10 May 2014
Hello and welcome,
Please do not worry.
There are a few common reasons for bleeding after surgery.
1. If it was a subtotal hysterectomy and the cervix was left behind then sometimes it may bleed during the menstrual phase leading to spotting.
2. The sutured area may slough off after a few days if the healing is not proper and may lead to spotting for a few days.
3. Infection causes spotting and may have a foul discharge along with blood. So please check if there is any discharge.
The pain may be due to the internal sutures that are getting dissolved, infection or ovulation as the ovaries have been preserved.
As of now, eat proper diet with fruits and proteins to help promote wound healing. Vitamin C tablets and tablet tranexamic acid help decrease bleeding and can be taken after consulting your doctor. Keep the area clean and change the undergarments twice daily. We also give low grade antibiotics in such patients to cover any infection.
Do not lift heavy objects and try to remain propped up to help drain away any secretions collected inside.
If the spotting is persistant then an examination using a speculum and an ultrasound may be needed to help determine the cause.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Please do not worry.
There are a few common reasons for bleeding after surgery.
1. If it was a subtotal hysterectomy and the cervix was left behind then sometimes it may bleed during the menstrual phase leading to spotting.
2. The sutured area may slough off after a few days if the healing is not proper and may lead to spotting for a few days.
3. Infection causes spotting and may have a foul discharge along with blood. So please check if there is any discharge.
The pain may be due to the internal sutures that are getting dissolved, infection or ovulation as the ovaries have been preserved.
As of now, eat proper diet with fruits and proteins to help promote wound healing. Vitamin C tablets and tablet tranexamic acid help decrease bleeding and can be taken after consulting your doctor. Keep the area clean and change the undergarments twice daily. We also give low grade antibiotics in such patients to cover any infection.
Do not lift heavy objects and try to remain propped up to help drain away any secretions collected inside.
If the spotting is persistant then an examination using a speculum and an ultrasound may be needed to help determine the cause.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
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