by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD
After a hysterectomy, does a woman still need to have annual pap smears?
If you have ever had abnormal Pap smears with dysplasia or HPV changes, I would say yes for about 5 years at least. Then if all of those Paps are negative you could have them every 3 years.
If you’ve never had an abnormal Pap and you have had 3 recent annual Paps that are all negative, then you probably only need them about every 3 years starting now.
Changes can take place at the end of the vagina (dysplasia, carcinoma in-situ or invasive cancer of the vagina) just as they can on the cervix. Admittedly it is much less frequent but does happen. The only time we see cancer of the vagina (squamous cell) is in women who had a hysterectomy and never got another Pap for many years.
Light pink discharge 3 weeks post hysterectomy
My vaginal hysterectomy was done 3 weeks ago and I feel great! My OB/GYN said I could resume all activities with the exception of intercourse and lifting. I have lost five pounds since surgery and am starting to get back to normal.
I clean house, vacuum and have started exercising 30 minutes each day on my air glider machine. I have a very small amount of soreness, very little though. I still have a slight very light pink discharge and only off and on. Is this normal?
Yes. It usually lasts a couple of weeks but it can continue for 6 weeks. There may also be some more spotting out at about 5- 8 weeks when some of the sutures dissolve. After that there shouldn’t be any more bleeding.
People I talk to tell me to take it easy and don’t overdo but I really do feel fine. When I tire, I lay down. Am I doing anything I shouldn’t be?
Sounds ok. Keep off the lifting.