Hysterectomy: Purpose, Procedure, and Risks
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. Removing the uterus means that you can no longer become pregnant or menstruate. It is one of the most common gynaecological operations. Your doctor might suggest a hysterectomy if you are suffering from any of the following conditions:
• Uterine fibroids .This is the most common reason for hysterectomy.
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Pelvic support problems (such as uterine prolapse i.e. descent of the uterus in the vagina)
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Gynecologic cancer-uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer
• Severe bleeding after childbirth.
A hysterectomy can be done in different ways. The choice depends on the cause for undergoing hysterectomy and the skill of the surgeon.
1. Abdominal hysterectomy -the uterus is removed through an incision in your lower abdomen. Drawbacks include longer hospital stay, long recovery period, abdominal scar and chances of wound infection.
2. Vaginal hysterectomy-removal of uterus …show more content…
If your ovaries are removed during the operation you may have immediate menopause after the surgery. Hormone therapy can be given to relieve signs and symptoms of menopause. In case you wish to plan further pregnancy, then you should thoroughly discuss about any other alternative less invasive forms of treatment that could be beneficial for you. Women with strong family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer can choose to have both ovaries removed after consultation with the oncologist in order to reduce their risk of cancer. Depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, you still may need pelvic exams and pap smear tests. Thus, hysterectomy is a very safe procedure if done by a skilled surgeon with minimal problems or complications after
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. Removing the uterus means that you can no longer become pregnant or menstruate. It is one of the most common gynaecological operations. Your doctor might suggest a hysterectomy if you are suffering from any of the following conditions:
• Uterine fibroids .This is the most common reason for hysterectomy.
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Pelvic support problems (such as uterine prolapse i.e. descent of the uterus in the vagina)
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Gynecologic cancer-uterine, cervical or ovarian cancer
• Severe bleeding after childbirth.
A hysterectomy can be done in different ways. The choice depends on the cause for undergoing hysterectomy and the skill of the surgeon.
1. Abdominal hysterectomy -the uterus is removed through an incision in your lower abdomen. Drawbacks include longer hospital stay, long recovery period, abdominal scar and chances of wound infection.
2. Vaginal hysterectomy-removal of uterus …show more content…
If your ovaries are removed during the operation you may have immediate menopause after the surgery. Hormone therapy can be given to relieve signs and symptoms of menopause. In case you wish to plan further pregnancy, then you should thoroughly discuss about any other alternative less invasive forms of treatment that could be beneficial for you. Women with strong family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer can choose to have both ovaries removed after consultation with the oncologist in order to reduce their risk of cancer. Depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, you still may need pelvic exams and pap smear tests. Thus, hysterectomy is a very safe procedure if done by a skilled surgeon with minimal problems or complications after