A surgery that involves the removal of the uterus is called a hysterectomy. Thereafter, a person cannot get pregnant and does not have menstruation. The main causes why this procedure are uterine prolapse, fibroids, cancer, and abnormal bleeding. Usually, the recovery lasts between 4-6 weeks.
What is Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus, the cervix, and in some cases, fallopian tubes and ovaries. What the surgeon removes depends on the cause. However, the uterus is the location where a fetus grows during a pregnancy. As a result, after surgery, you can no longer get pregnant or have menstrual periods.
Hysterectomy Types
Before this procedure, your physician will tell you which type of hysterectomy is required and if ovaries/fallopian tubes need to be removed. Check below hysterectomy types:
- Total Hysterectomy – During this type of hysterectomy are removed uterus and cervix.
- Supracervical Hysterectomy – In such cases, the surgeon will remove the upper part of your uterus only.
- Total Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy – This type of hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), and ovaries (oophorectomy).
- Radical Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy – Usually, this procedure is used when a person experiences cancer. Therefore, the surgeon will remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, the upper portion of the vagina, and some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.
Causes
Check below the main causes of why this surgery is performed:
- Heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding and other treatment options are not effective
- Menses with severe pain and other treatments do not work
- Leiomyomas or uterine fibroids (noncancerous tumors)
- Elevated pelvic pain associated with your uterus
- Uterine prolapse, which can lead to urinary incontinence or bowel movement problems
- Uterine or cervical cancer
- Hyperplasia, recurrent uterine polyps, or adenomyosis
How Do I Prepare for a Hysterectomy?
Before this surgery, it is advised to discuss with your healthcare provider about your concerns. In addition, your physician will explain the procedure in detail including side effects and complications.
What is Happening During a Hysterectomy?
First, your healthcare professional will determine what type of hysterectomy you need and the suitable surgical method. Thereafter, you will receive intravenous medicines and fluids. The anesthesiologist can give you one of the following:
- General anesthesia (you will not be able to stay awake)
- Regional anesthesia is also known as epidural or spinal anesthesia (this anesthesia is used to numb the exact region while you can stay awake)
Check below some surgical methods:
Vaginal Hysterectomy
- During this surgery, your uterus is removed by an incision at the top of your vagina. Thereafter, certain dissolvable stitches are placed inside your vagina.
- Vaginal hysterectomy is commonly used in cases of uterine prolapse or other noncancerous conditions.
- After surgery, you may experience some complications and fast recovery. Thus, people usually go home on the same day of surgery.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- The surgeon will insert a small tube with a camera and surgical tools through small incisions in your belly button.
- The uterus is removed in small pieces through the incisions in the abdomen.
- Usually, people quickly recover. Moreover, this procedure is less painful than abdominal hysterectomy.
- Those who experience this surgery go home on the same day of this procedure.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- This surgery is performed with the help of a robotic machine that is inserted in the pelvic area.
- Other surgical tools are inserted through 3-5 incisions around your belly button.
- The recovery from this procedure is similar to a laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Abdominal Hysterectomy
- In this hysterectomy method, the uterus is removed through a 6-8 inch long incision in the abdomen. This procedure is usually used when a person is diagnosed with cancer, has an enlarged uterus, or health condition that spreads to other pelvic areas.
- Generally, people stay in the hospital for 2-3 days and have a long recovery time.
For more details, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
What Happens After a Hysterectomy?
Usually, after the procedure is done, you should wait in the hospital for at least one day because your physician will monitor you to ensure you do not have any complications. Moreover, it is advised to walk around as soon as possible because it helps to prevent blood clots in your legs. However, if you experienced an abdominal hysterectomy it may take several days until you can go home.
Hysterectomy Side Effects
Usually, patients experience vaginal drainage and irritation at incision sites. Furthermore, if the ovaries are removed during hysterectomy, you may experience any of the following side effects. Examples include:
In any case, you can consult with your doctor about how to prevent or avoid previous adverse reactions.
Hysterectomy Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
This surgery helps to live a more enjoyable life because heavy and irregular bleeding and persistent pelvic pain may disrupt your quality of life. However, hysterectomy can be potentially life-saving because it decreases the risk of uterine cancer.
Disadvantages
On the other hand, this surgery comes with different complications and side effects that are permanent. For example, you can go into menopause after this procedure and notice certain menopausal symptoms. In addition, you will not be able to become pregnant.
Complications
Fortunately, the risk of complications of a hysterectomy is quite low. Check below some of them:
- Severe infection
- Bowel blockage
- Torn internal stitches
- Urinary tract injury
- Issues associated with anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is it to get a hysterectomy?
This surgery is the second most common surgery performed in females (after Cesarean section). Approximately 300,000 females experience this surgery in the U.S. every year.
How long does a hysterectomy surgery last?
In normal circumstances, the duration of the surgery is roughly 1-3 hours. The time commonly depends on the size of the uterus and other organs being removed (including fallopian tubes and ovaries).
When should I visit my physician if I had a hysterectomy?
If any of the following cases occur, immediately contact your doctor. For example:
- Bright red vaginal bleeding
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Urinating problems
- Pain
- Increasing swelling, drainage, or redness from your incision
- Burning feeling when urinating or frequent urination
