The multiple reasons why you would need a hysterectomy
Deciding to get a hysterectomy can be an emotional decision but one that may drastically improve your quality of life. That’s why each year over 600,000 females in the U.S. embark on the journey to better health and receive a hysterectomy.
A total hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus and cervix. It may also involve removing the surrounding organs and tissues, like your fallopian tubes and ovaries, depending on the reason you are getting the surgery.
The surgery can improve symptoms caused by many different medical conditions. In some cases, the surgery can be lifesaving.
Hysterectomies are often performed to treat:
- Abnormal or heavy vaginal bleeding
- Cervical, ovarian or uterine cancer
- Severe pelvic pain
- Uterine fibroids and other noncancerous tumors
- Severe endometriosis
- Serious childbirth complications, like uterine rupture.
- Uterine prolapse that can lead to urinary or fecal incontinence
- Conditions related to the lining of your uterus, like hyperplasia or adenomyosis
There are advantages of having a hysterectomy.
“A hysterectomy can improve your quality of life, especially if you have constant pelvic pain or heavy, irregular bleeding that is not improved by medications,” says Dr. Jenny Christl, an OB-GYN physician at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. “For people at a higher risk of uterine cancer, a hysterectomy can lower this risk. Having your fallopian tubes removed may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer even if your ovaries aren’t removed.”
You should also keep in mind that although a hysterectomy is a common procedure, it is a major surgery with a long recovery.
“It is a permanent procedure that comes with risks and side effects,” Dr. Christl says. “Depending on the type of surgery you have, you may experience symptoms of menopause immediately after. You also will not be able to become pregnant after any type of hysterectomy.”
Health care providers often suggest alternative treatments to address your condition before recommending a hysterectomy. If other treatments don’t help or surgery is the only option to treat the condition, a hysterectomy may be recommended.
