What Is the Meaning of Hysterectomy?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, hysterectomies, the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus, are the second most frequently performed major surgical procedure for woman of reproductive age in the United States. It is estimated that 20 million women in the Unites States have had a hysterectomy.

Why

• The reasons women have hysterectomies are varied. Serious health issues such as cancer of the uterus, ovaries or cervix are common reasons. Fibroids, endometriosis, prolapsed uterus and adenomyosis, chronic pelvic pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding are additional reasons to perform a hysterectomy. In some rare cases hysterectomies are also required to control bleeding following a cesarean delivery.

Types

• There are three types of hysterectomies. Depending on the reason for the surgery, a radical, total or partial hysterectomy will be performed. A radical removal includes removing the whole uterus, the upper part of the vagina and tissue on both sides of the cervix. A total hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and cervix and a partial hysterectomy is the removal of just the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix in place.

How

• There are several techniques for performing a hysterectomy. Abdominal: done through a five- to seven-inch incision. Vaginal: the removal of the uterus through the vagina. Laproscopic: the cutting of the uterus into smaller pieces and removal through three or four small incisions in the abdomen. Laproscopically assisted vaginal: a vaginal hysterectomy assisted with a laproscopy tool. And lastly, a robotic hysterectomy, which uses the a special robotic machine to assist in surgeries on patients who are very overweight or have cancer.

Risks

• According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the risk of problems related to a hysterectomy is among the lowest for any major surgery. Risks can include blood clots in the veins or lungs, infections, bowel blockage, bleeding during or after surgery, damage to the urinary track, early menopause if the ovaries are removed and death.

Recovery

• The typical hospital stay after a hysterectomy is one to two days. The recovery period, depending on the type of hysterectomy performed, can be three to six weeks. Pain and soreness is to be expected after surgery, but patients are encouraged to walk and be active to discourage the development of blood clots. Bleeding and discharge are normal after surgery and patients are also encouraged to get plenty of rest, avoid inserting anything in the vagina for six weeks and not to lift heavy objects.

Long Term Effects

• The side effects of having a hysterectomy can be threefold. Physical and hormonal side effects will include lack of a period, infertility, pre-mature menopause and risk of early osteoporosis in the event of ovary removal. Emotional side effects can include depression, while some woman feel a sense of relief that their health problem was resolved. Lastly, sexual side effects can be either positive or negative; some woman report more sexual pleasure after surgery and others notice a lack of uterine contractions.