Information on hysterectomy and hormonal balance

Hysterectomy—different types & alternative options, A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. “Do I need a hysterectomy? What are my alternatives?” These are common questions for women struggling with heavy bleeding or fibroids, or one of the other problems that may lead to hysterectomy. Women may feel that surgery is the only choice but in a […]

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) / Uterine artery embolization (UAE), Uterine artery embolization (UAE), is a technique usually performed by an interventional radiologist. Most gynecologists are not trained in advanced radiology, so it is usually done by radiologists working with the referring gynecologist. First developed in France, UAE has been performed in the US since 1995, and the technique of embolization had been used prior […]

Myomectomy for problematic fibroids, Myomectomy involves the removal of a fibroid together with a small portion of the uterus where the fibroid is attached (uterine resection). The goal of myomectomy is to minimize damage to the uterine tissue as well as the surrounding organs. It can be performed via open incision, or via laparoscope or hysteroscope. Each method has […]

MRI–guided ultrasound ablation for fibroids, MRI-guided high-intensity ultrasound (MRgFUS), also known as high–intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is another newly developed noninvasive treatment modality for uterine fibroids. MRgFUS/HIFU uses high-intensity focused ultrasound beams as an energy source to heat and destroy the fibroid tissue, leaving the surrounding tissues intact with few reported side effects and minimal recovery time. To date, MR-guided […]

Medical (hormonal) management options, Medical management can sometimes help women with symptomatic fibroids, heavy bleeding, or endometriosis to avoid hysterectomy. In other cases it can serve to minimize the impact of surgery. Options include various types of oral contraceptives, progesterone/progestin hormones, and GnRH agonists. For some women, certain forms of The Pill work well. The synthetic progestin component can […]

Laparoscopy and endometriosis excision, Laparoscopy is performed in the operating room with a telescopic camera introduced via a small puncture rather than through a full incision. The camera allows the surgeon to evaluate the uterus, ovaries, and other organs, and to biopsy any suspicious lesions or remove small, externally dangling pedunculate fibroids. Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis is also becoming […]

Uterine fibroids — and natural alternatives to hysterectomy, Reviewed by Dr. Sarika Arora, MD Uterine fibroids and the heavy or irregular bleeding they can cause are all too familiar to many women. But the true cause of fibroids remains unknown. Why do some women get them and some don’t? Why is their progression so different from one woman to another? Why do so […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, Will the Hormonal Health Package help me even if I’ve had a hysterectomy? Yes, the Hormonal Health Package will benefit your general health and your hormonal balance, even if you’ve had a hysterectomy, and whether or not you also had your ovaries removed. (Over half the women who keep their ovaries nevertheless suffer loss of […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, What’s menopause going to be like after hysterectomy? The simple answer is that menopause is different for every woman, whether she’s had a hysterectomy or not. After a partial hysterectomy, you’re likely to experience a normal perimenopause and menopause, but it is hard to know when it’s starting because there are no periods to identify […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, What happens in a hysterectomy? There are several types of hysterectomy, the main ones being the partial and the complete. In a partial hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed. In a complete or total hysterectomy, the uterus and cervix are removed, sometimes along with the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The medical term for removal of […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, Should I have a hysterectomy? There are several conditions for which hysterectomy is advisable or medically necessary. These include ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer; uncontrollable bleeding; severe endometriosis or adenomyosis; and complex hyperplasia, to name a few. A large percentage of hysterectomies are performed to relieve fibroids, endometriosis or other conditions related to hormonal imbalance. […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, I had a hysterectomy a number of years ago and have been on HRT ever since. But every time I try to kick the hormone habit I have severe rebound symptoms and have to resume it. How can I stop HRT? Millions of women post-hysterectomy now want to get off their HRT. Unfortunately, they are […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, How do I recover post-hysterectomy? If you have had a complete hysterectomy, this will trigger what is known as “surgical menopause.” To ease this transition, many women will be advised to use short-term estrogen directly following surgery, then to wean off it in a few months. Depending on the severity and nature of a woman’s […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, How do I prepare for my surgery? We recommend you read Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques, by Peggy Huddleston. Many women have benefited from the audio version, which is designed to be listened to during your surgery.  The book and cassette or CD can be purchased as a set. We […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, I wish I’d never had my hysterectomy. What can I do about that? It’s so important to come to terms with the emotional aspects of what you have gone through. For any woman, the uterus or womb is a powerful center of her identity and emotions and mind–body memories. Having a hysterectomy can be just […]

FAQ’s on hysterectomy, partial hysterectomy, and hormones, I’m considering elective hysterectomy. What’s your advice? There are many different reasons why women consider elective hysterectomy. Our advice is that you learn to be an advocate for yourself. Your goal is to protect your own health and well-being. That certainly involves hormonal balance, but not necessarily keeping your uterus. The process we recommend is […]

Frequently asked questions on hysterectomy and hormonal balance in women, Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about hysterectomy — before and after — and how to maintain hormonal balance at every stage. Given complete information on hysterectomies and considerations on alternatives, a woman can make a more informed decision based on her own health needs. By understanding best care practices before and […]

Endometrial ablation, By Dr. Amber Hayden, DO Endometrial ablation is a medical procedure that is used to remove or destroy the endometrial lining of a uterus to reduce or stop abnormal uterine bleeding. Women with excessive or irregular menstrual flow often ask me about endometrial ablation as a possible solution. If you’re considering endometrial ablation, I recommend […]

D&C and hysteroscopy, Reviewed by Dr. Sarika Arora, MD D&C and hysteroscopy are common minimally-invasive surgery procedures often used together to remove abnormal or unwanted tissue from inside of the uterus. D&C stands for dilation (sometimes called dilatation) and curettage and hysteroscopy is procedure that lets your doctor look inside your uterus to diagnose and/or treat uterine issues. […]