when should i ask for a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a woman’s uterus. After a cesarean section, it is the most frequently performed surgical procedure among women of reproductive age in the United States.

Here at Virtuosa GYN, we’re experts at determining whether you need a hysterectomy. Our OB/GYNs have extensive experience performing various types of hysterectomies, including minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery featuring the da Vinci® robotics system.

The following are five common reasons that we may recommend a hysterectomy.

Uterine fibroids are growths that develop in the walls of your uterus. Although they are typically not cancerous, uterine fibroids can cause annoying symptoms such as pain, heavy bleeding, discomfort during sex, lower back pain, frequent urination, or a feeling of fullness in your pelvic area.

This is a condition in which your uterus slips out of position within your pelvis and moves into your vagina. It commonly occurs in women who have had multiple vaginal deliveries or in women who are obese. Uterine prolapse can cause pressure in the pelvis and may contribute to incontinence and other symptoms.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from within the uterus grows in places where it doesn’t belong, such as your ovaries, bladder, intestines, or pelvic cavity. Endometriosis can cause a range of symptoms, including heavy bleeding and pain.

Heavy bleeding can take several forms, including excessively long or heavy periods. Women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding may miss many days of work or school because of their symptoms.

In some cases, cancer of the uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes, endometrium, cervix, or ovaries is best treated with a hysterectomy.

The conditions listed here don’t always require a hysterectomy. Often, we can successfully treat them with more conservative approaches that preserve the uterus. But sometimes a  hysterectomy is the best option.

If you do require a hysterectomy, there are several types available. The one that is best for you depends on the nature of your medical condition, your age, and other factors. Types of hysterectomies include:

Whenever possible, our doctors at Virtuosa GYN perform minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomies with guidance from the da Vinci® robotic system.

Laparoscopic surgery typically results in quicker recuperation time, less discomfort, and fewer potential side effects than open surgery.

Hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus.

If you have a hysterectomy, you will no longer have menstrual periods or be able to get pregnant.

There are different types of hysterectomies:

Your doctor may recommend removal of your fallopian tubes as it might reduce the risk of some ovarian cancers that begin in the tubes.

There are many reasons you might need to have a hysterectomy. For example, if you have:

You will need a doctor’s referral for a gynaecologist who can do the hysterectomy.

There are different ways to perform a hysterectomy, including:

Your doctor will advise which type of hysterectomy is right for you.

As with any operation, there are some risks associated with having a hysterectomy including:

Your specialist will explain the risks in more detail.

Recovery from a hysterectomy will depend on the type of operation you had and your general health before the operation. The average recovery time for a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy is 3 to 4 weeks. For an abdominal hysterectomy, recovery may take 5 to 6 weeks.

It’s important to look after yourself after your hysterectomy:

After a hysterectomy, you will no longer have menstrual periods or need contraception. If your ovaries were removed, you might start to experience menopausal symptoms within a few days of your surgery.

Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) until the expected age of menopause. MHT will help with menopausal symptoms and reduce potential long-term health risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

There are many things to consider before having a hysterectomy. For example, how the operation might impact your physical and mental health or your plans to have children in the future. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

You can ask your doctor or specialist questions such as:

If you are still unsure, you can see another specialist for a second opinion or more information.

The most common reasons for having a hysterectomy include: heavy periods – which can be caused by fibroids. pelvic pain – which may be caused by endometriosis, unsuccessfully treated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), adenomyosis or fibroids. prolapse of the uterus.

Many people are confused about what a hysterectomy is. If you’ve been told you need this type of surgery, it is important to understand what it is and what processes are involved.

During a hysterectomy, a woman’s uterus and cervix are removed. It does not automatically include the removal of the ovaries or fallopian tubes. This is important to note because people often believe that a hysterectomy automatically leads to menopause. But since the uterus does not produce hormones, its removal alone will not induce early menopause (removal of the ovaries would do that). However, a hysterectomy does mean a woman can no longer become pregnant, since the baby would need to develop in the uterus. If a woman needed a hysterectomy and still wanted children, it is possible for her to harvest her eggs for fertilization and use a surrogate.

Women who have very heavy bleeding during their period — particularly to the point of becoming anemic or needing blood transfusions — may benefit from a hysterectomy. Other problems leading to a hysterectomy include painful periods, fibroids, polyps, persistent concerns during Pap smears, endometriosis or abnormal cells in the cervix or uterus.

Hysterectomies are more common in women 40 years and older, as they begin to reach the end of their reproductive lives. Half of women are in menopause by age 51. Just like teens who are starting to get their periods, women at the other end of the spectrum can have heavier, more painful and less predictable cycles.

A hysterectomy may involve removing:

Which procedure your doctor recommends depends on the medical reason for your hysterectomy. Because a hysterectomy can involve different organs, ask your doctor what specifically is involved in your proposed surgery.

Hysterectomies are performed in one of three ways:

A traditional abdominal incision hysterectomy involves a large incision through the skin and the muscles r to reach the organ. A vaginal hysterectomy removes the uterus and any other organs through the vagina, eliminating the abdominal incision. A laparoscopic, or robotic, hysterectomy uses small incisions about the size of a dime that are made near the belly button. A tiny camera is inserted in the incision, enabling the surgeon to see inside and, using small instruments, perform the surgery, which removes small pieces of the uterus through the incisions.

A laparoscopic procedure can be enhanced by using robotic surgery. Tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, but the surgeon performs the operation by using a computer to control the surgical instruments. This improves access to small areas, enhances the surgeon’s view, and allows for steady and precise movements.

The vaginal and laparoscopic/robotic procedures are considered minimally invasive because they have no incisions or only small ones. This means the body has less trauma to heal from. Chances of bleeding are reduced as are pain and the risk of infection. Recovery time for an open incision hysterectomy can last six weeks, but for a minimally invasive procedure, recovery time is about two weeks.