After a hysterectomy surgery, your remaining abdominal and pelvic organs (e.g bladder, bowel, small and large intestines) will shift slight to fill up the space your uterus was taking up. This shift can put added pressure on the pelvic floor muscles resulting in weakness, which can also cause issues such as incontinence, pain or pelvic organ prolapse.

If you have had an abdominal hysterectomy, your superficial and deep abdominal muscles are cut through to access the uterus. This process leaves your abdominal muscles weak following surgery, affecting how the function pelvic floor muscles function.

Some women will have their ovaries removed during hysterectomy, sending them into “surgical menopause”, because of the decrease in oestrogen (a hormone) production. A reduction in oestrogen affects the blood flow and lubrication of the vagina and pelvic floor muscles, the vaginal walls become thin and dry and can contribute to the following symptoms.