Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Hysterectomy & Alternatives Bleeding After a Hysterectomy By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN LinkedIn Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 20, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD Jennifer Schwartz, MD, is a board-certified surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Recovering completely from a hysterectomy usually takes six to eight weeks. It is normal to expect some amount of bleeding during this time. However, if the bleeding doesn't get lighter over time, that is not normal. This article will explain the difference between normal and abnormal bleeding and how to know when to call your healthcare provider. Ian Hooten / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Normal vs. Abnormal Bleeding The key sign that you are healing normally from a hysterectomy is that the bleeding will begin to decrease in the days and weeks following the surgery. A sudden and significant increase in bleeding is considered abnormal. Bleeding should never be too heavy at any point in your recovery. Heavy bleeding during recovery should be reported to your surgeon immediately. This also goes for any symptoms of infection, such as a fever. You should also call your healthcare provider if you have any signs of a neurogenic bladder. This is a condition in which there is damage to the nerves that control your bladder, resulting in difficulties with urination. When to Call a Healthcare Provider If there is bright red vaginal bleedingIf you have a temperature over 100.4 FIf you have severe nausea or vomitingIf the pain is increasingIf there is redness, swelling, or drainage at the incision siteIf you have difficulty urinating or pain with urination Bright red blood indicates an active bleed. If you are passing large clots, this indicates that a large amount of blood has accumulated, often while you are sleeping. If you are experiencing either of these, seek medical attention right away. Other Concerns Bleeding too much after surgery can lead to anemia. Anemia occurs when the amount of red blood cells in your blood drops below normal. This can cause symptoms including fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and easy bruising. (If you are extremely fatigued after a few days following surgery with or without bleeding, you should also give your doctor a call.) Blood tests may be used to confirm an anemia diagnosis. Imaging tests can help pinpoint the source of the bleeding. Anemia may be treated with iron supplements. Sometimes it is necessary to receive a blood transfusion to restore your red blood cell count (RBC) and prevent complications. You should be able to return to having sexual intercourse eight weeks after your surgery. Having sex too soon may not only be painful but end up promoting bleeding. If you note any bleeding after resuming intercourse, be sure to report it to your provider. According to research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, post-operative infection occurs in 10.5% of abdominal hysterectomies, 13% of vaginal hysterectomies, and 9% of laparoscopic hysterectomies. Summary Some bleeding after a hysterectomy is normal. However, the bleeding should lessen over time. Heavy bleeding can be a sign of a complication and can cause you to become anemic in some cases. A Word From Verywell Being aware of what kind of bleeding is normal and what's not will help you know when to call your healthcare provider and avoid any complications. Keep in mind that once you've recovered from a hysterectomy, you should not experience vaginal bleeding at all. Alternatives to Hysterectomy Frequently Asked Questions Can you still get your period after a hysterectomy? No. You no longer menstruate after a hysterectomy. If you begin bleeding vaginally after healing from a hysterectomy, you should contact your healthcare provider. It could be a sign of various disorders, including:Atrophic vaginitisCervical cancerTumorsEndometriosis (particularly on the bowels)Bladder disorder Learn More: Treating Endometriosis How common is it to have endometriosis recur after a hysterectomy? If the ovaries are not removed with the hysterectomy, the risk of recurrence is fairly high. One study found the prevalence to be about 62% when ovaries remained versus a 10% risk when ovaries were removed. Learn More: What to Expect When Ovaries Are Removed How do I manage constipation after a hysterectomy? Right after surgery, you will need to wait for the anesthesia, which can cause constipation, to wear off. As you heal, make sure you stay well hydrated, begin walking regularly as soon as you are able, and include fiber-rich foods in your diet to help regulate your bowels. Learn More: Treating Constipation Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus. Hysterectomy - vaginal - discharge Chamsy DJ, Louie MY, Lum DA, Phelps AL, Mansuria SM. Clinical utility of postoperative hemoglobin level testing following total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;211(3):224.e1-7. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2014.04.003 Clarke-pearson DL, Geller EJ. Complications of hysterectomy. Obstet Gynecol. 2013;121(3):654-73. doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594 Lyngdoh BT, Kriplani A, Garg P, Maheshwari D, Bansal R. Post-hysterectomy menstruation: a rare phenomenon. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010;281(2):307-309. doi:10.1007/s00404-009-1173-2 Rizk B, Fischer AS, Lotfy HA, et al. Recurrence of endometriosis after hysterectomy. Facts Views Vis Obgyn. 2014;6(4):219-227. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Recovering from your hysterectomy.