https://www.hysterectomy-support.com/

Hysterectomy Support and Shared Experiences, Kuranda (2026)

16/10/2026

Hair loss after hysterectomy and during menopause 😳.

It seemed an appropriate time to share this today, after the unplanned hair share discussion!

And my hair literally comes out in handfuls.

After all the things we prepare ourselves for with hysterectomy, nobody really wants to add losing their hair to the list.

But hair thinning and hair loss are things many of us experience post hysterectomy and/or around menopause, and it can have a real impact on your confidence and how you feel about yourself.

Why does it happen?

👉 Hormonal changes:

If your ovaries are removed during hysterectomy, you will most likely experience a sudden, surgical menopause because your body’s main source of oestrogen has been removed.

Even if your ovaries are retained, you will still go through natural menopause later on.

Hormonal changes during menopause can contribute to hair becoming thinner or less dense.

👉 The stress of surgery:

Surgery is a significant physical event for your body.

Sometimes, a few months after an operation or illness, you may notice much more hair coming out than usual. This is called telogen effluvium, and happens when more hairs than usual enter the shedding phase of the hair growth cycle.

Anaesthetic also has an effect.

It is often temporary, although regrowth can take time.

👉 Other things can also play a part:

Hair loss isn’t always down to hormones.

Iron deficiency, thyroid problems, illness, stress, weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and certain medications can all contribute.

This is why it’s important not to assume menopause is the only explanation.

👉 What about biotin and collagen?

You have probably seen supplements marketed for thicker, healthier hair.

Biotin can help if you are deficient, but there’s little evidence that taking extra biotin improves hair growth if you’re already getting enough.

Evidence that collagen supplements treat hair loss is also limited.

Before spending a fortune on supplements, speak to your Dr about possible causes. They can assess your symptoms and decide whether investigations, such as blood tests, are appropriate.

⚠️ One important thing: high-dose biotin can interfere with certain blood tests, so tell your healthcare professional if you’re taking it.

👉 What can you do?

Be gentle with your hair and avoid excessive heat or tight hairstyles that pull on it.

Eat a balanced diet and make sure you’re getting adequate nutrition.

Get persistent or significant hair loss checked rather than assuming it’s just surgery or menopause related.

If you are experiencing other menopause symptoms, discuss your options with your healthcare professional. HRT may be appropriate for some people, but it isn’t a guaranteed treatment for hair loss.

Please know that if your hair has changed, you are not being vain for feeling upset about it.

Hair can be a huge part of our identity, and watching it thin or losing handfuls can be really distressing.

Have you experienced hair thinning or hair loss after your hysterectomy or menopause?

And if you have found something that helped, what was it?

Kelly 💜 x

16/10/2026

A little thank you to everyone who’s messaged me about my hair!

I really wasn’t expecting to wake up to so many compliments.

I coloured it yesterday, popped a story up telling you all about it, and I wasn’t expecting so many lovely messages. I’ve had about 20 of you telling me how nice it looks this morning 🥰.

You’ve absolutely made my day, thank you!

I love how much kindness is here everyday.

If you haven’t seen my story yet, go and have a nosey before it disappears forever 😂!

It seems that I have accidentally turned my hysterectomy support page into a hair salon temporarily 💇‍♀️😂!!

And. It’s Friday and even though it’s a grey, rainy day here - I do love a Friday👏👏!

Kelly 💜 x

15/10/2026

A little reminder, because you might not know what support is available to you here.

If you are preparing for a hysterectomy, recovering from one, or trying to make sense of everything that’s happening to you and your body, I’ve put together a whole collection of support to help you.

I would love to invite you to have a look!

☕️ Free pre-op and post-op guides to help you prepare for surgery and understand what recovery might look like.

📚 A blog full of resources covering hysterectomy, recovery, hormones, symptoms and the questions you might not even know to ask yet. But likely the ones you are worried about right now.

💜 The Hysterectomy Support Hub is for people who want a little more guided support along the way.

It’s a smaller, way more connected community, where you can get to know others who understand what you are going through, join our live group support calls twice a week, access step-by-step programmes, mini-courses, practical guides and resources.

And importantly, you also get DM access straight to me for questions, guidance and support as you navigate your journey.

Sometimes you don’t need another article to read. You need to ask a question, talk something through or have someone help you work out your next step.

That’s what the Hub offers: connection, heaps of practical support and the reassurance that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

🤝 One-to-one support for if you would like individual time to talk through your worries, prepare for surgery, navigate recovery or work out what to do next.

I’ve spent (very nearly!) 13 years supporting people through hysterectomy, and I know how overwhelming it can feel when you are trying to find reliable information and work out what applies to you and your situation.

You don’t have to piece everything together from random posts and late-night Google searches.

I’ve brought together all of the resources that I would have wanted when I had my hysterectomy to help you feel more informed, more prepared and less alone.

👇 I’ve put the details in the comments. Have a look around and see what might help you best.

If you aren’t sure where to start then that’s ok.

Tell me where you are in your journey and I’ll point you in the right direction.

I’d love to support you.

Kelly 💜 x

15/10/2026

Might I need to have a catheter post op?

It’s something people don’t always think about before surgery, but it can cause a lot of worry afterwards.

If you are worried about it, please talk it through with your Dr at your pre op. Different Drs have different “standard” protocols during and immediately after surgery.

👉 Why might you have a catheter?

A catheter is a thin tube that drains urine from your bladder into a bag.

It’s commonly used during surgery and might stay in for a period afterwards while you recover.

If you do have one when you wake up, your hospital team will usually remove it when they feel it’s appropriate and you are ready to try passing urine yourself.

👉 What if you can’t wee after it’s removed?

First, don’t panic, but do tell your nurse.

After surgery, some people find it difficult to empty their bladder properly. This is called urinary retention.

Anaesthesia, certain medicines and the effects of surgery can temporarily affect how your bladder works.

You might:
Struggle to start passing urine.
Only pass a small amount.
Feel that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly.
Have little or no sensation that your bladder is full.

You shouldn’t have to guess whether you are emptying your bladder properly. Your team can and should assess what’s happening.

👉 What is a trial without a catheter?

You may hear this called a TWOC, a trial without catheter.

The catheter is removed, and the team checks whether you can pass urine and empty your bladder adequately.

Depending on your hospital’s protocol, they may ask you to pass urine into a measured container and use a bladder scanner to check how much urine remains.

If you can’t pass enough urine, or too much remains in your bladder, they may need to put the catheter back in.

That doesn’t automatically mean something has gone seriously wrong. It mostly means your bladder needs more help for now.

👉 Can you go home with a catheter?

Yes, sometimes.

If your bladder isn’t ready to work properly without assistance, you may be discharged with a catheter and a plan for follow-up.

Occasionally there can be a little damage to the bladder such as a nick during surgery and it might need some time to heal.

If you are discharged with a catheter you should absolutely be shown how to manage it, how to look after it and who to contact if you have problems.

The team should explain when and where you’ll have another attempt to pass urine without it.

Having to go home with a catheter can feel upsetting or embarrassing, especially when you’ve already been through surgery. But it isn’t a personal failure, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need one long-term.

👉 When should you get help?

If you’re in hospital and can’t pass urine, tell your nurse rather than waiting it out.

Once you’re home, contact your surgical team or seek urgent medical advice if you cannot pass urine, particularly if you have a painful or swollen lower abdomen.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening pain or if you feel very unwell.

Don’t try to manage possible urinary retention by simply drinking loads of water and hoping for the best.

👉 The most important thing to remember

Not everyone will need a catheter post surgery. Some don’t have one at all.

Needing a catheter for longer than expected can happen. It can be frustrating, but there are ways to manage it and your team should explain the plan.

You should have explanations to know what’s happening, why, and what comes next. You deserve to understand this rather than be left to worry about it.

Did you have a catheter after hysterectomy?

Kelly 💜 x

15/10/2026

Good morning people in my phone 👋!

Let’s all keep track of all of our tiny wins today.

Because sometimes it’s hard to remember that the little things count.

What is your tiny win today?

Got dressed?
Had a shower?
Made breakfast?
Got through a rough night?
Got yourself out of bed?

It can be anything.

It all counts.

Share your little win in the comments and let’s all celebrate the little things today.

Kelly 💜 x

14/10/2026

🚨 WHAT YOU REALLY NEED FOR HYSTERECTOMY RECOVERY…

And it ISN’T a £500/$500 Amazon basket 👀!

If you have been scrolling through hysterectomy groups and pages, then you’ve probably seen lists of all the things you are apparently supposed to buy before surgery.

Special pillows. Fancy recovery cushions. Gadgets. Products you’ve never heard of. A basket full of things that everyone says is absolutely essential.

And if you can’t afford all of that?

You might start worrying that you are not properly prepared.

Let me reassure you.

You do NOT need to spend a fortune to prepare for recovery.

What actually matters the most, is inexpensive.

1. COMFORT

You need somewhere comfortable to rest.

A blanket. A few pillows. Clean bedding to come home to. A drink within easy reach.

Those are a perfect starting point.

A little tip: spend a day noticing the things you regularly reach up for, bend down to get, or have to stretch across the room to find.

Move the everyday essentials to an easy-to-reach height before surgery. Put your phone charger, tissues, medication and drinks somewhere convenient.

It’s the simple things that can make life easier when you’re sore and tired.

Coming home to clean, fresh bedding is a treat. You don’t need a fancy recovery bed to enjoy it.

2. PAIN RELIEF AND MEDICATION

Have the medication that your surgical team recommends and arrange any usual over-the-counter pain relief they have confirmed is suitable for you.

If you’re taking opioid painkillers, ask about constipation prevention. Stool softeners or laxatives may be recommended, because constipation after surgery can be miserable. (I would recommend them for a few days post op anyway because they can make that process much easier and add relatively inexpensive).

A hot water bottle or heat pad may be comforting for some aches, soreness and gas pain, but use it cautiously, keep it away from wounds and numb areas, and don’t fall asleep with it in place.

You don’t need a cupboard full of supplements or expensive recovery products. Follow the advice you have been given for your own operation.

3. PERSONAL CARE

You might not feel up to a full shower every day in the early days.

A few inexpensive things can help you feel fresher:

Baby wipes or a soft flannel for a quick freshen-up.
Dry shampoo and a hair bobble for when washing your hair feels like far too much effort.
Your usual toiletries and comfortable, loose clothing.
A sturdy shower chair or suitable plastic garden chair, if you need to sit while washing or drying yourself.

If you use a chair in the shower, make sure it’s stable and non-slip.

You don’t need luxury toiletries. You just need things that make you feel comfortable and clean.

4. FOOD

You don’t need a special post-surgery meal subscription or a fridge full of expensive health foods.

Think easy to prepare, easy to eat and things you actually like.

Soup and simple meals.
Portions of casseroles or other meals frozen in advance.
Easy snacks and fruit.
Plenty of fluids.

Aim for a balanced diet with protein, fibre and the nutrients your body needs to recover. If you can prepare a few meals before surgery, brilliant. If you can’t, that’s okay too.

A sandwich, a bowl of soup or a simple meal is absolutely fine. You don’t have to become a nutrition influencer while recovering.

5. SUPPORT

If you have someone who can check in on you, prepare the odd meal, fetch something you might have forgotten, or to help with everyday jobs, that can be incredibly helpful.

But not everyone has someone available to do those things, and not everyone has family or friends who can take time off work.

If you are recovering alone, think ahead about what you might need help with. Local community groups can be very helpful.

You deserve support, whatever your circumstances.

THE TRUTH?

You don’t need an expensive Amazon basket.

You don’t need every product recommended in every Facebook group.

You don’t need to buy things simply because someone else found them useful.

You need a comfortable place to rest, appropriate pain relief, simple personal-care essentials, food and fluids, and as much practical support as you can arrange.

Some people love their special pillows and recovery gadgets. If you have them and they help, that’s great. We are all in different circumstances and need or can afford different things.

But the “things” aren’t a measure of how well you have prepared, and not being able to afford them does NOT mean you are going to be at any lesser chance of a good recovery.

Please don’t feel pressured to spend money you don’t have.

You can prepare for your hysterectomy without buying the entire contents of Amazon.

What was one inexpensive thing that genuinely helped you during recovery?

It will be useful to share the little things that made a difference, without making anyone feel they need to spend a fortune.

Kelly 💜 x

14/10/2026

How long did you stay in the hospital after your hysterectomy?
💜

14/10/2026

Just a little reminder this morning.

It’s not always as bad as you think it will be!

Kelly 💜 x

13/10/2026

Four things you might hear during recovery that totally deserve an eye roll 🙄.

“But you look fine!”

“Surely you're better by now?”

“Can't you just push through?”

“I know so and so and they were fine after a week.”

Feel free to add your “eye roll” lines in the comments.

Kelly 💜 x

13/10/2026

Adhesions after a hysterectomy:
What are they, and should you be worried?

This can sound quite frightening when you first hear about it: adhesions.

If you’ve had a hysterectomy, or you’re preparing for one, here’s what you need to know.

WHAT ARE ADHESIONS?

Imagine the organs inside your abdomen and pelvis as things that normally move and slide alongside one another.

After (any) surgery, your body produces scar tissue as part of the healing process. Sometimes, this tissue forms bands that cause organs or nearby tissues to stick together.

These are called adhesions.

After a hysterectomy, they can form around the bowel, between organs, or between an organ and the abdominal wall.

They are a recognised possible consequence of abdominal or pelvic surgery. They can also develop following conditions that cause inflammation, such as endometriosis or infection. Or from previous surgery.

Getting adhesions don’t mean something went wrong during your operation. They can form as part of the body’s natural healing response.

DO ADHESIONS ALWAYS CAUSE PROBLEMS?

No. And this is really important.

Many people have adhesions without ever knowing it. They never cause symptoms or require treatment.

For some people, however, adhesions can cause problems, including ongoing abdominal or pelvic pain. In more serious cases, they can pull or kink the bowel and cause a blockage.

Symptoms can sometimes develop months or even years after surgery, so it’s worth knowing what to look out for.

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD YOU LOOK OUT FOR?

Possible symptoms can include:

Persistent or recurring abdominal or pelvic pain.

Cramping or discomfort that keeps coming back.

Ongoing bloating or abdominal discomfort.

Changes in bowel habits or persistent constipation.

The important bit to remember: these symptoms don’t automatically mean you have adhesions.

There are lots of possible reasons for abdominal pain, bloating and bowel changes after a hysterectomy. You can’t diagnose adhesions based on symptoms alone.

If you are experiencing persistent or unexplained symptoms months after surgery, speak to your Dr or surgical team rather than assuming adhesions are the cause.

CAN YOU PREVENT ADHESIONS?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a guaranteed way to prevent them, and it’s not something you should blame yourself for.

However, there are practical things you can do to look after yourself after surgery:

✔️ Follow your post-operative instructions and give your body time to heal.

✔️ Start gentle movement and walking when your surgical team says it’s safe.

✔️ Keep hydrated and eat a balanced diet to support your recovery.

✔️ Follow advice about constipation and bowel care.

These are good recovery habits, but they cannot guarantee that adhesions won’t form.

And please don’t assume that a particular stretch, movement or massage will break up internal adhesions. If you are experiencing pain, get advice before trying to treat it yourself.

HOW ARE ADHESIONS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?

This can be frustrating because adhesions don’t always show up on routine scans.

Scans may help doctors identify complications, such as a bowel obstruction, but they don’t reliably show all adhesions. Sometimes they can only be confirmed during further exploratory surgery.

If adhesions aren’t causing problems, treatment often isn’t needed.

If they are causing significant complications, surgery may sometimes be considered. However, surgery itself can lead to further adhesions, so the benefits and risks need to be carefully weighed up.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK MEDICAL HELP?

Please don’t ignore persistent or unexplained abdominal pain, ongoing bloating or changes in your bowel habits. Arrange medical advice, particularly if symptoms are new or getting worse.

🚨 If you have severe pain with vomiting, a swollen abdomen, or you are unable to pass wind or open your bowels, seek emergency care. These can be signs of a bowel obstruction, which needs urgent treatment. This is rare though so don’t panic!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER:

Having a hysterectomy doesn’t mean you are destined to develop painful adhesions or future complications.

Many people with adhesions never experience any problems at all.

But if something doesn’t feel right, you deserve to have your symptoms taken seriously and investigated. You don’t have to work out what’s wrong by yourself.

Have you experienced adhesions after a hysterectomy, or were you diagnosed with them during another procedure?

Kelly 💜 x

Hysterectomy Support and Shared Experiences

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