A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus. Every day, thousands of patients choose to take this path in hopes that it will bring them relief from symptoms or diseases related to their uteruses that aren’t responding to treatments like medication or other therapies. Though the surgery does tend to help with specific issues, it can come with some pretty severe side effects. Hysterectomy side effects may include anything from hot flashes to menopause, and it’s essential to weigh these against the symptoms the surgery is supposed to treat before making a decision. If you need a hysterectomy, make sure you talk to a doctor specializing in hysterectomy in Orlando to understand every aspect of the treatment.
Who Needs It?
A hysterectomy is most often intended to treat cancer, either to remove the entire uterus (total hysterectomy) or just the part that contains cancer (partial hysterectomy). You can also use it to treat endometrial or cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. This surgery is also sometimes used to treat other conditions.
For example, a hysterectomy may be performed to remove the entire uterus when it is enlarged or damaged by endometriosis or fibroids that are too large to be treated with medication. Fibroids are benign tumors within the uterine wall that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and other symptoms, and it’s estimated that about half of all women who seek treatment for these conditions will ultimately have a hysterectomy.
How Should You Prepare?
If you are considering a hysterectomy, there are some things you should do to prepare for surgery. Most importantly, make sure all other options have been exhausted. Before committing to this surgery, your doctor needs to ensure that you’ve done everything possible to treat the symptoms with medication or another surgery first. If you’re experiencing painful or dangerous problems, a hysterectomy maybe your best option.
Be sure you are aware of all potential hysterectomy side effects before you decide to have the surgery. Though this is a relatively safe procedure, any surgery has risks involved.
What Does It Involve?
There are several different types of hysterectomy, depending on what you need to have removed.
The first step is often the same for every procedure. The cervix is opened with a knife (called an incision), and the uterine tissue is carefully scraped away from the inside of the uterus. This is usually not enough to remove the entire uterus, though. A second incision is made near the top of the vagina, and your doctor can pull out most of the uterus through this incision. If you have a partial hysterectomy, they will remove only the part containing cancer or another problem.
The next step depends on whether your cervix has been removed. If not, it will be cut away (called an excision). Once the cervix is removed, bleeding should stop within a few days. If the uterus has been left in place, you may need to use sanitary pads for two weeks while your body heals.
To summarize, a hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus. It helps treat cancer by removing part of the uterus affected or the whole uterus. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow before surgery.