How to Determine the Best Time to Have a Hysterectomy

Except in cases of cancer, a hysterectomy is rarely an urgent surgical procedure. If you are planning on having children or have other obligations, you should make sure you know when is the best time to have a hysterectomy.

Instructions

• 1

  Wait if you want more children. Once you have a hysterectomy, you will be sterile.

• 2

  Find out what type of hysterectomy you are having. Recovery times vary depending on the procedure. After an abdominal hysterectomy, expect to wait 6 to 8 weeks before resuming normal activity. With a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy, the recovery time is shorter.

• 3

  Investigate symptoms. In some cases, a hysterectomy is performed before there is a clear diagnosis. If you can pinpoint the cause of the problem, you may be able to treat the symptoms without a hysterectomy.

• 4

  Consider menopause. The removal of ovaries artificially brings on menopause, which is often much worse than a natural menopause.

• 5

  Look into alternatives. There are many alternative options that are less intrusive, and you may want to consider these before having a hysterectomy.