Bladder function may also be affected following hysterectomy due to bruising of the bladder or damage to the nerves and blood vessels that connect it to other organs. The resulting difficulty in emptying the bladder may be overcome by inserting a catheter (tube) into the bladder. In some women the bladder is rested for several days and the catheter drains urine continuously into a closed bag beside the bed. When the catheter is removed the bladder sometimes goes ‘on strike’ and is difficult to empty. A physiotherapist can help ease any discomfort by encouraging full relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and applying gentle diaphragm pressure from above. Because of bruising, damage to nerves or changes in anatomy following hysterectomy, bladder function may not return to normal until one or two months after surgery. It is extremely important to practise pelvic floor and abdominal exercises once healing is complete. Not only do they help with bladder control, they also enhance muscular support for the newly positioned organs.
A bladder infection may complicate matters, causing a feeling of scalding when urine is passed, a feeling of wanting to pass urine frequently or pain. The doctor will send a specimen of urine for laboratory examination and will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic to clear the bladder of any infection that is found.
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