As the second most often performed surgical procedure
on American women today, hysterectomy generates so many questions. We talk to women
who are trying to decide whether to have one, seeking alternatives, looking for
help recovering from surgery, or asking how to stop their estrogen therapy many
years after their hysterectomies.
At Women's Health Network we view these questions as part of a lifelong process
in which the constant goal is finding hormonal balance. The good news is that you
can restore your hormonal balance at any point, no matter where you find yourself
now.
While there has been concern over recent decades that some hysterectomies are unnecessary,
it isn’t a question of being “for” or “against” them. For many women hysterectomy
is wonderful — a solution to a long time problem. As one of our friends said after
her hysterectomy, “My body feels at peace for the first time.” For other women,
those for whom hysterectomy is the prescribed treatment for cancer, this surgery
doesn’t feel like a choice at all. But in those cases, it may still be considered
life-saving surgery.
When you do have a choice, it is important to consider all the factors in determining
whether a hysterectomy is truly needed to resolve your particular problem. What
matters is what’s right for you. There are alternatives to hysterectomy in many
cases, depending on one’s medical situation, and for such a major surgery with the
potential for so many consequences, we should consider it a kind of “last resort.”
The surgical methods for the
hysterectomy procedure have improved in many cases and recovery times vary
from a few weeks to several months. We think that getting a second opinion is a
must.
So whether you are in the decision stage, in the immediate recovery stage post surgery,
or years down the road after hysterectomy, it’s most important to stay as informed
as possible. These articles can help you weigh all your options.
Featured articles on hysterectomy
Created by Women’s Health Network
See more articles on hysterectomy
Uterine fibroids — and natural alternatives
to hysterectomy, reviewed by Dr. Sarika Arora, MD. Uterine
fibroids and the heavy bleeding they can cause are experienced by many women, and
often lead to hysterectomy. But there are natural treatments that may help you avoid
surgery.
Endometrial ablation,
by Dr. Amber Hayden, DO. Endometrial ablation is a procedure used to treat
abnormal uterine bleeding. Get the facts about endometrial ablation so you can know
what to expect if your doctor recommends this treatment.
Frequently asked questions about hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy may be a fairly common procedure for women, but there is a lot to know.
Get answers to 9 important questions about hysterectomy, including whether it’s
right for you, and what’s involved in the surgery.
Medical (hormonal) management
options. Medical management can sometimes help women with symptomatic
fibroids, heavy bleeding, or endometriosis to avoid hysterectomy.
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).
Uterine fibroid embolization
(UFE) / uterine artery embolization (UAE). Uterine fibroid embolization
(UFE), is a technique usually performed by an interventional radiologist.
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.
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