Hysterectomy Isn’t Just a Surgery: A Functional Nutrition Perspective

---

Why Hysterectomy Functional Nutrition Matters

I had to write this, not because of a headline or trend, but because I see it again and again in the dental chair: women navigating life after hysterectomy without the whole story.

Functional nutrition for hysterectomy looks beyond the surgery itself to understand how it can affect hormones, the nervous system, inflammation, and everyday resilience. It’s about connecting the dots between a procedure and the symptoms that may show up months or even years later.

Here’s the reality: by their mid-60s, more than 1 in 5 U.S. women have had a hysterectomy, and that number climbs to over 40% by age 75 (CDC, 2021). That’s millions of women, yet most are never told what to expect beyond the surgery itself.

And while a hysterectomy can be absolutely life-changing for necessary reasons, fibroids, endometriosis, cancer, and chronic bleeding, it’s also a turning point that can influence the whole body. Not just the reproductive system. And not just for a few months.

---

Why a Hysterectomy Is More Than “Just” the Uterus

What the Procedure Involves

Medically, a hysterectomy means the surgical removal of the uterus.

Sometimes it’s only the uterus.

Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed as well.

Either way, this isn’t a small shift. It’s a significant biological change, often occurring in women who already have a history of pain, inflammation, hormone disruption, or long-term stress.

Many walk into surgery hoping for relief and walk out with a body that suddenly feels… unfamiliar.

---

Hormones Don’t Just Dip, They Cliff-Dive

When ovaries are removed, estrogen and progesterone drop abruptly.

That shift can show up as:

• mood swings that feel sudden or extreme

• brain fog, anxiety, irritability, or emotional volatility

• night sweats, hot flashes, and disrupted sleep

• dry skin, dry tissues, and weight changes despite “doing everything right”

  
  

Even when ovaries are preserved, the shock to the system can still disrupt hormone signaling and regulation.

---

The Nervous System Feels It Too

The uterus isn’t just reproductive tissue; it’s deeply connected to the nervous system.

Its removal can trigger subtle but real shifts in how the body processes stress, emotion, and safety.

If you’ve noticed:

• increased sensitivity or tearfulness

• difficulty regulating emotions

• stronger reactions to stress

…it’s not “just in your head.”

It’s your nervous system recalibrating after a major event.

---

Grief Isn’t Always Obvious, But It’s Real

I’ve had women cry in the dental chair when I ask something as simple as, “How’s your sleep been?”

Not because they’re fragile, but because no one ever made space for the grief.

Whether or not fertility was part of the picture, many women describe:

• a sense of disconnection from their body

• a quiet loss of identity

• shame for not feeling “better” after being told this surgery would fix everything

You are not broken for grieving.

You are brave for acknowledging it.

---

Real Talk & Final Bite

Your body has experienced a significant shift: hormonally, physically, and emotionally.

Pretending it was “just the uterus” overlooks the ripple effects that can show up throughout the entire system.

Understanding those ripples isn’t about dwelling on the past.

It’s about giving your body context, compassion, and support as you move forward.

In Part 2,  we head to the front lines: the mouth. We’ll explore why post-hysterectomy changes often show up in the gums, how the mouth-body connection works, and what it can reveal about what your body needs now.

— Khristina Maureen

       Your Functional Nutrition Ally

---

Want to DIG Deeper?

Sometimes clarity begins with understanding what your body has already been trying to communicate.