Tips to Prevent Blood Clots after Hysterectomy That Can Save your Life
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Developing blood clots after hysterectomy is a risk you have to take into account.
They tend to happen more often after surgical procedures below the waist, in the pelvic area, the hips, and legs. This is especially true for longer-lasting surgeries, let’s say more than 30 minutes.
Not every woman experiences clots in the same part of the body, and thus, not everyone sees the same symptoms. It is important to diagnose the presence of blood clots in a timely manner.
They estimate that roughly between 60.000 and 100.000 people in the US and 25.000 people in the UK die of Deep Vein Thrombosis each year. This is mainly because most people have no knowledge of the vital signs and the risk factors of DVT.
Deep vein thrombosis forms deep in the veins and blocks blood flow to the leg and from the leg back to the heart.
Such a clot can break loose and travel to the lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. A blood clot in the lungs is a life-threatening complication that we know as a pulmonary embolism (PE) and can result in death if not taken care of in time.
We like to explain how you can prevent blood clots and how to recognize the symptoms of such a life-threatening condition after a hysterectomy.
How Can You Get Blood Clots After Hysterectomy Surgery?
During the hysterectomy surgery, your body is motionless. Without the movement of the muscles, the blood will flow slower through your body. Stagnant blood is more likely to clump together and form a clot. In addition, after the surgery, you are less likely to exercise, walk for long distances, or stretch your legs to enable blood circulation. These are all risk factors that can possibly lead to blood clots in the blood vessels.
In an attempt to prevent blood clots, doctors usually prescribe blood-thinning medications and recommend certain exercises that patients can undertake. Clots are most likely to occur during the first ten days after surgery. But you need to know that the risk, though lower, continues to exist for at least 3 months.
Learn more about hysterectomy risks.
Why Do Blood Clots Occur Despite All The Precautions?
First of all, blood clotting is a necessary process, as a wound would not stop bleeding without it. However, it becomes a major risk if it occurs in the blood circulatory system as it will deprive other parts of the body of nutrients and oxygen.
While necessary steps are taken to prevent the occurrence of blood clots after hysterectomy, some women may still be subjected to the risks.
These include women who have a family with a history of DVT, women who smoke tobacco, and women who have pre-existing conditions such as blood disorders and sugar diabetes. Women with such conditions are likelier to get blood clots, and in such cases, doctors may need to adjust the medications. It is equally important that a patient notifies the doctor of all the existing risk factors.
Furthermore, the surgery itself can lead to blood clots. Debris, collagen, or fat can be released into the blood system, stimulating blood clotting. During the surgery, the veins may get injured or get increased pressure from surrounding tissues, which can also lead to blood clots.
Risk factors for blood clots
Generally, the following are risk factors for getting a blood clot after hysterectomy:
- Family with a history of blood clots
- Obesity
- Oral contraceptives
- The extended time of immobility
- Heart disease and diabetes
- High cholesterol and high blood pressure
How to prevent blood clots after hysterectomy surgery?
Before surgery, you can help to prevent blood clots after hysterectomy by addressing the risk factors. Because obesity is one of the major factors that may lead to the formation of deep vein thrombosis and possibly pulmonary embolism, you can start a weight loss program before undertaking a hysterectomy.
Why are heavier women more at risk? Women with excessive weight generally are less active, which means their blood moves slower. Further, the extra fat is responsible for restricted blood circulation in the veins.
The chemical composition of blood cells is also different in women with a higher weight, which makes them prone to blood clots.
Read also: Weight gain after hysterectomy – Is it unavoidable?
Smoking is known to be a major risk for atherosclerosis. This plaque build-up will reduce blood flow in the arteries and increase the risk of blood clotting. To avoid the risk of blood clots, they recommend you stop smoking at least 3 months before your planned surgery.
If you have a preexisting chronic condition or are taking oral contraceptives, inform the doctors to enable them to monitor your condition more closely.
Other steps you can take to prevent blood clots after surgery include the following:
- Do not sit or lie down in one position for a long time
- In bed, wiggle your toes regularly.
- Elevate your feet if possible
- Take doctor’s medications
- Put on compression stockings if the doctor allows
- Walk around if possible
- Don’t resume smoking right after surgery
- Drink lots of water
- Avoid long trips by plane or car after surgery
Symptoms of Blood Clots after Hysterectomy
Symptoms of blood clots in an infographic:
Treatment for Blood Clots after Hysterectomy
After blood clots have been diagnosed, the doctor may take necessary steps, such as prescribing blood thinners.
Blood thinners (anticoagulants), can help dissolve the clots. Aspirin, heparin, and warfarin are some of the medications they usually prescribe. After a hysterectomy, the doctor will ensure that you follow certain exercises to improve blood circulation. Blood-thinning medication needs monitoring as there is a risk of bleeding if the blood gets too thin. After a hysterectomy, this may cause increased vaginal bleeding.
If you are faced with pulmonary embolism, the doctor may use a duplex ultrasound or MRI scan to observe the extent of the clots, and then intravenous treatment with anticoagulants can begin. Added to this is a mandatory lifestyle change to stick to a proper diet.
Women need to keep a watchful eye on the possible signs of blood clots after hysterectomy. An early diagnosis can save your life. Immediately after the surgery, make it a point to follow the doctor’s orders, keep moving, and follow a proper diet to prevent blood clots. If you have reasons to be concerned about blood clots, then mention this to your doctor.
I believe no woman should have a radical hysterectomy if they do not have proven cancer. If I had had cancer, it would probably be worth it. I did NOT have cancer. The goal was to find out why I was having high testosterone. In June 2026 I had a DNC, endometrial biopsy and polyp removed. I had EIN cells, which are precancerous, and thick uterine lining. The recommendation was to remove ovaries.
I was sent to a surgeon which immediately wanted to remove everything. I fought to keep lymph nodes but did not realize the consequences of removing my cervix. The cancer society recommends not removing the cervix unless one has first stage cervical cancer. I would not have allowed if I had known the aftermath of removal. I read and read but could not find anything referring to the cuff much. After the surgery I knew what to look for and I found information.
Why would anyone want to trade the 60% potential of cancer for the aftermath of a radical surgery? It is horrendous. My bowels and bladder problems have been aweful. I believe this is the doctors responsibility to inform what she is trading for. I would NEVER have had the surgery. OMG, if I had let her take lymph nodes it would be even worse.
I want to add that I am 75, I never had bleeding. My quest was height testosterone. This was way over kill
She was the second opinion surgeon I went o because of the severity of surgery. I trusted she would advise more conservative. She was just as bad. I have no trust at the present. I was not offered PT before or after. I requested it and have an appointment six months after my surgery. I believe this should’ve been arranged at the point of my surgery not me having to ask for it afterwards. I was also not given a belly band right after my surgery. I’m walking around the house with a pillow, trying to hold my stomach and someone told me about the belly bands. I called the office and of course they gave me one, but why did I have to ask. I am 75. I am not 40 or 50. I walked I watch have an excellent diet. I’ve always tried to be active and this has been a horrific experience. The worst part of it is, I can do all I want to to heal, but I don’t know that my bladder and bowels will ever operate correctly. I believe a nerve in my leg and right hip were cut or something because there’s a numbness.
I am writing this because for all your articles women need to know the truth about this operation. I don’t think they realize the consequences whether you’re young or old. I definitely feel that. The best interest of the patient is not served with the patient. Individual needs in this operation. It has become oh my God you’ve got pre-cancerous sales. Let’s take everything out so you won’t have cancer. I have news for you you can still get cancer may not be ovarian because you don’t have ovaries, but you can still get cancer. I’ll stop rambling, but I think this is horrible and I think someone should tell the truth about this Surgery. If I had had cancer it might have been worth it. I did NOT have cancer
I am so sorry you have had to go through such a difficult and distressing experience after your surgery. My heart goes out to you, especially knowing how active and healthy you were before the operation.
You raise such an important point about informed consent. Unfortunately, many women feel they are not given enough information about the possible long-term side effects and complications of a hysterectomy. I believe every woman deserves to know exactly what the surgery involves, what the potential consequences are, and whether there are alternative treatments available. Only then can she make a truly informed decision.
Regarding the numbness in your leg and hip, I do want to offer you some reassurance. Nerve irritation or injury can sometimes occur because of the position your body is placed in during surgery, particularly when the legs are elevated in stirrups for an extended period. This can put pressure on or stretch certain nerves. In many cases, the numbness gradually improves over weeks or months, although recovery varies, and some nerve injuries can be more persistent.
Since you are still experiencing numbness, along with bladder and bowel problems, I would strongly encourage you to have these symptoms properly evaluated rather than simply waiting for them to disappear. I also hope your upcoming pelvic floor physical therapy appointment will give some relief.
Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. Stories like yours matter because they remind us that a hysterectomy is major surgery, and its effects can be very different from one woman to another. While surgery can be necessary and even lifesaving in certain circumstances, women deserve to understand both the benefits and risks before making such an important decision.
I sincerely hope you begin to see improvements and find the support and care you deserve. ❤️