Undergoing a Hysterectomy | Hysterectomy Surgery

Alternative Treatments

Alternative Treatments Alternatives to Hysterectomy Surgery The proliferation of hysterectomies has led to numerous questions regarding both its necessity and the overwhelming repercussions it poses to women. As more than 600,000 women in the United States undergo this procedure each year, the general public and medical community has voiced concern over the essential question of whether a hysterectomy is always needed in these types of cases. While it certainly may be a necessity in some cases and…

Basics of Undergoing a Hysterectomy

Basics of Undergoing a Hysterectomy What You Need to Know As with undergoing any major medical procedure, being well informed is a top priority when considering a hysterectomy. The second most common surgery for women after C-sections, hysterectomies are performed frequently throughout the world. In America, it is estimated that one out of every three women may undergo this procedure before the age of 60. Although safe, a hysterectomy does entail some risks and can certainly impact the lives of…

Before a Hysterectomy

Before a Hysterectomy Questions to Ask Before Hysterectomy Surgery As a hysterectomy can certainly be a stressful experience, taking steps to understand the procedure, what to expect, and whether it is right for you should always be a priority. From weighing all of your available options and alternative treatments to considering the ways in which this procedure can affect your life physically and emotionally, it becomes clear that there is much to think about before making a decision. At Hysterectomy.com,…

Life After a Hysterectomy

Life After a Hysterectomy Navigating the Healing Process A serious medical procedure that poses risks and physical side effects, hysterectomy surgery also entails a number of emotional implications that have the ability to impact your life in numerous, profound, and deeply personal ways. As you prepare for life after hysterectomy or as you begin to navigate the new changes after surgery, ensuring that you know what to expect and that you have access to the information and support you need is important…

Recovering From Hysterectomy Surgery

Recovering From Hysterectomy Surgery After the Procedure While the type of hysterectomy surgery performed and the underlying condition at hand will always impact your recovery after a hysterectomy surgery, there are some general effects and challenges all women can expect after this procedure. As always, personally reviewing what you can expect with your doctor will ensure that you have information that relates specifically to your situation. After Surgery Depending on the procedure you undergo,…

How to Avoid a Hysterectomy Surgery

How to Avoid a Hysterectomy Surgery Prevention, Intervention & Understanding Your Options Hysterectomy surgery is often a matter of personal choice. Although some conditions may dictate treatment and make a hysterectomy a medical necessity, many women now have a number of options to choose from when it comes to finding safe and effective treatments for their particular condition. If you are interested in exploring ways in which your medical condition can be safely resolved without a hysterectomy,…

Hysterectomy Surgery Risks

Hysterectomy Surgery Risks Knowing What to Expect When considering hysterectomy surgery, understanding the benefits and risks is essential to making a well-informed decision. Although every woman should assess whether or not hysterectomy is the right choice on an individual basis, it is important to understand that all types of hysterectomy surgeries will entail some inherent risks. On a general basis, a hysterectomy will pose similar risks and complications associated with any major surgery,…

Types of Hysterectomy Surgeries

Types of Hysterectomy Surgeries Understanding Your Options For any woman who has been informed by their doctor that their condition can be treated with a hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus, it is important to understand that options are available. Taking preemptive measures to research, collect information, engage in discussions with your doctor, and explore all available means and methods is crucial to making an informed decision that is right for you. As hysterectomy surgeries vary in…

Reasons for a Hysterectomy

Reasons for a Hysterectomy Conditions & Disorders Strong social opinions muddled by a numerous misconceptions have made hysterectomy a procedure shrouded in misinformation and uncertainty. Once used as a standard in the treatment of numerous female reproductive conditions, increased awareness about various medical conditions as well as advances in medical science and viable treatment alternatives have contributed to our collective knowledge about hysterectomy. In general terms, hysterectomy…

What You Need to Know

As with undergoing any major medical procedure, being well informed is a top priority when considering a hysterectomy. The second most common surgery for women after C-sections, hysterectomies are performed frequently throughout the world. In America, it is estimated that one out of every three women may undergo this procedure before the age of 60. Although safe, a hysterectomy does entail some risks and can certainly impact the lives of women physically and emotionally. If your doctor has diagnosed a condition that may be treated by a hysterectomy, considering the following information can aid you in understanding the procedure.

Reasons for a Hysterectomy

Studies have estimated that anywhere from 10 to 90 percent of hysterectomies are medically unnecessary. While the procedure was once the standard in treating a variety of female reproductive conditions and disease, new breakthroughs in medical technology have expanded treatment options for many types of conditions. This does not mean, however, that a hysterectomy is always avoidable. Generally, hysterectomies may be avoided by opting for alternative treatments or excision surgery; however, hysterectomies may be necessary when cases are severe or other treatments have failed. In some cases, whether to undergo the procedure may simply be a matter of personal choice. Your doctor can help you understand your condition, how it will impact your life, and the available treatment approaches.

Types of Hysterectomy Surgery

Anyone considering a hysterectomy should be aware that there are various types of hysterectomy surgeries. Categorized by the nature of the procedure itself, these may include:

Partial hysterectomy - A hysterectomy surgery is considered a partial hysterectomy when only the upper portion of the uterus is removed and the cervix is left intact. Other reproductive organs, may or may not be removed. Supracervial and subtotal hysterectomies are partial hysterectomy surgeries.

Total hysterectomy - A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. When one or both ovaries are also removed, the procedure is known as oophorectomy. When a total hysterectomy also entails the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes, it is referred to as saplingo-oophorectomy hysterectomy.

Radial hysterectomy - Radical hysterectomies are used when cancerous cells or tumors are present. Typically, it will involve a total hysterectomy and possibly the removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and lymph nodes in the abdomen and / or pelvis.

Any of these procedures can be performed through various means, including vaginal hysterectomy (uterus removed through the vagina) and abdominal hysterectomy (uterus removed through an incision in the lower abdomen). New surgical techniques and technology have also allowed for a hysterectomy surgery to be performed with the assistance of a laparoscope (surgical instrument with a tiny camera attached) or as robotic hysterectomy (computerized surgical instruments are controlled by the surgeon). Although very safe, all types of hysterectomy surgery entail some risks, including surgical complications, infection, and blood loss.

Post-Hysterectomy Considerations

A hysterectomy can impact your life in profound ways. After the removal of the uterus, either partially or in total, you will no longer be able to bear children. Additionally, hormone changes can cause you to undergo menopause sooner than expected and some women may require hormone therapy treatment. Women who undergo this procedure may also face additional challenges in the form of emotional and sexual side effects.

Understanding the basics of undergoing a hysterectomy is only a starting point in the journey toward making a decision about your treatment. A difficult and challenging experience, this process can be made easier with factual information, support, and resources. At Hysterectomy.com, we make it our mission to educate women about the various aspects of hysterectomy surgery, the alternative treatment options available, and how this life-changing experience can be more easily navigated. If you have any questions or concerns about hysterectomy surgery and whether it is right for you, please do not hesitate to fill out a contact form today.

Basics of Undergoing a Hysterectomy

What You Need to Know

Reasons for a Hysterectomy

Types of Hysterectomy Surgery

Post-Hysterectomy Considerations

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