Exercising After Treatment for Painful Periods

As you anticipate having your minimally invasive hysterectomy to end your suffering with painful periods, be sure to take good care of yourself. This means eating right, exercising and dropping excess weight. Not only will you improve your recovery but you will also feel a lot better once you have healed. To determine how quickly you can resume exercising and getting back into your routine, consult with your physician. Based on the specific condition, the procedure and expected outcome, the answer can vary for each woman.

Typically, following a minimally invasive hysterectomy a woman can expect to be up on her feet and walking the very same day. Unlike a traditional hysterectomy for painful periods, which requires a 4 to 6 week recovery period, recovery from this procedure can take a week or two. Exercise may be safe within a few weeks, depending on how you feel, and whether your doctor gives you the green light. The National Institutes of Health recommends avoiding strenuous activity, lifting anything over 10 pounds and straining following a laparoscopic procedure for about three weeks. Another caution is that if an activity makes you feel any pain, stop immediately and listen to your body. A woman’s intuition is famous for good reason!

Once you are cleared and feeling up to some exercise, you should start gradually. Some core exercises may even help you improve recovery as these will help strengthen the surrounding muscles. TheLivestrong website suggests several exercises to try:

• Walking – short periods and slow at first, but then gradually build on your pace and duration.
• Kegels – by contracting, holding and relaxing your vaginal muscles, as if you are stopping a urine stream, you will firm the muscles in your pelvic area.
• Abdominal Strengthening – while on your knees and hands, tighten and relax your abdominal muscles for an isometric strengthener.
• Modified Sit-up – while lying flat on your back, with your feet resting on the ground and knees bent, place your arms across your stomach in a self-hug, and gently raise your head into your chest. After a brief hold, lie back down and relax.

A little common sense can go a long way when figuring out how soon you can start exercising again after your minimally invasive hysterectomy. But before you trust your enthusiasm, check in with your doctor. Remember, you are having this procedure to end period pain, and the last thing you want is to replace it with some new pain thanks to overly vigorous exercising.

Content Sponsored by: MIRI Women – The Minimally Invasive Reproductive Surgery Institute (MIRI) brings together highly skilled, board-certified specialists who are focused on women’s health. Our team of professionals is trained in advanced gynecology, specifically hysterectomy surgery. Philosophically, our partner physicians take a “less is more” approach to health care, by first treating patients with the most conservative therapies. MIRI focuses on physical healing, while emphasizing that a patient’s emotional well-being is just as important.