You describe cramps, not unlike menstrual cramps, after masturbation. Orgasm includes contraction of pelvic floor muscles, and it sounds like you're experiencing some spasms of those muscles. Radical hysterectomies often require tissue removal or dissection surrounding the uterus and ovaries. It's likely your spasms are caused within nerves and muscles that are still healing.
I suspect this will improve with continued healing, but using an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen may help relieve the pain. If, three months or so after surgery, when most healing has taken place, the spasms and pain persist, a consultation with a pelvic floor physical therapist may be helpful. They can assess the muscles and nerves of the pelvic floor and often remedy persistent pain.
Continue that healing work! I'm hopeful the pain will resolve itself.
Dr. Barb DePree, M.D., has been a gynecologist and women’s health provider for almost 30 years and a menopause care specialist for the past ten.
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I had a hysterectomy using 4 small incisions (kept my ovaries) on April 8, 2019. My friends told me I would feel so much better after I healed from the procedure. Sadly, I did not feel better. I had pains in my right side like cramping shortly after going back to work, 4 weeks post-op. I frequently felt sick to my stomach and also ended up with an upper respiratory infection.
Then on July 4th, I woke up in extreme pain on my right side. I thought I was having an appendicitis attack. I went to the ER. They did blood tests, a scan of my abdomen, and an ultra sound of my ovaries. They sent me home with pain medicine.
The next afternoon I went cak to the hospital because I could not breathe. The ER doctor had me admitted thinking I had pneumonia. Later that evening after doing more scans and ultrasounds, they realized that my abdomen was full of infection and scheduled me for an emergency surgery the next morning.
So, on July 7th, just 3 months from my first surgery the surgeon opened me up with a c-section type of incision and said infection began seeping out immediately! He removed both ovaries, the right one was very swollen and full of infection, had another surgeon check my bowels to make sure everything else was free of lesions.
I spent a week in the hospital, 4 weeks with a pic-line and going in daily for antibiotics, with a total of 6 1/2 weeks off of work.
Now, almost 5 months later, I am having cramping pain in my lower right abdominal area, similar to what I dealt with when having periods.
How is this possible?
Stephanie, an examination with your provider is the best route to find out what is causing this pain.
I had a total hysterectomy on the 10/29/19 for endometrial cancer. They left my ovaries. Before I had no cramping and no I am having pelvic cramping as if I was getting my menstrual cycle. They hurt so bad but I know it can’t be a menstrual cycle since I don’t have a uterus anymore. What can this be? And is it normal?
Linda, this is the kind of diagnosis that can really only be made after a careful exam. We encourage you to see your provider to find the cause and treat your pain.
I have heard from you. Your suggestion why still having cramps one year after surgery. I had cancer 7% on wall of uterus why did a hysterectomy not solve the problem?.