Houston OBGYN | What Do Heavy Bleeding, Sex, and Tampons Have in Common?

Every Houston OBGYN will deal with heavy bleeding, sex and tampons at some point in time. In fact, most deal with questions about all three of these things on a near daily basis. What most people don’t know is that all of these are things that should not be done after having a hysterectomy.
Bleeding after the Hysterectomy
Light spotting is completely normal after a hysterectomy. Many women are alarmed when they wake up with red spots or a slow trickle in the morning, a call to the doctor assures them that this small amount of blood is normal. Typically, the amount of bleeding should decrease as the healing process moves along.
The signs that something could be wrong include:
 Very heavy bleeding

 Sudden, consistent bleeding later on in the healing process

 Bleeding with a bad odor

Sex after the Hysterectomy
Women should wait until they are cleared by their doctor for sexual intercourse. This action could tear the stitching and cause complications in recovery. In some cases it could result in the need for further stitching or surgery.
Tampons after the Hysterectomy
Since tampons go inside the body, they could result in the same damage that is caused by sexual intercourse. Panty liners or pads should be used for spotting during the recovery phase. Women should always ask before using tampons again.
Do you have questions about a hysterectomy? Visit your Houston OBGYN, Lisa Otey, on her website.