The surgical removal of the uterus of a part of it is called a hysterectomy. The process may include the removal of other organs and tissues, such as the fallopian tubes, cervix, or ovaries, depending on the reason for the surgery. During pregnancy, a foetus grows in the uterus or the womb. Its lining, called endometrium, is what women shed as blood during menstruation. After a hysterectomy, you will be unable to conceive or undergo periods.

Reasons to Perform Hysterectomy

There could be different reasons to perform a hysterectomy, depending on the issues you're facing. Moreover, some of the common reasons are listed below.

Abnormal or inordinate vaginal bleeding that is not managed by other treatment options.
Severe menstruation pain that is not soothed by other treatments
Uterine fibroids or leiomyomas (non-cancerous tumours).
Increased abdominal pain caused by your uterus that is not relieved by other treatments.
Uterine prolapse can induce urinary incontinence or bowel obstruction.
To prevent cancer-causing cervical or uterine abnormalities.
Conditions affecting the uterine lining, such as hyperplasia, recurrent uterine polyps, or adenomyosis.

Types of Hysterectomies?

Total hysterectomy: Removal of the cervix and uterus with the preservation of the ovaries.
Supracervical hysterectomy: This procedure removes only the upper part of the uterus while leaving the cervix intact.
Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: The uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy), and ovaries are all removed during this procedure. The removal of your ovaries will start your menopausal symptoms if you haven't already experienced them.
Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: This procedure involves the removal of your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries, upper part of the vagina, as well as some nearby tissue and lymph nodes. This kind of hysterectomy is frequently carried out while the patient has cancer.

What is the procedure performed during Hysterectomy?

There are different processes involved in performing a hysterectomy. However, most of the time the healthcare person administers general anaesthesia, making you completely unconscious during your hysterectomy.

Your doctor may also give you regional anaesthesia (also known as epidural or spinal anaesthesia), blocking nerve receptors only in the lower back region while you remain awake during the hysterectomy procedure.

Some other procedures are as follows:

Vaginal Hysterectomy: An incision is made at the end of the vagina to remove the uterus. Dissolvable stitches are applied inside the vagina.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy: A laparoscope is inserted into the lower abdomen through a small incision in the belly button. The uterus is then taken out in small pieces through abdominal incisions.
Abdominal Hysterectomy: A six to eight-inch incision in the abdomen is made to remove your uterus. The incision is then closed with stitches or staples by the surgeon. This procedure is mainly used in cases of cancer where the uterus has become enlarged and the disease has spread or risks spreading to other pelvic areas.

Side effects of Hysterectomy?

Vaginal drains and irritation at the incision sites are two of the most common side effects of hysterectomy. You may experience symptoms of menopause if the ovaries are separated during your hysterectomy. Some other side effects include:

Flashes of heat.
Dryness in the vagina or anus.
Libido loss
Trouble sleeping (insomnia).

Hysterectomy Complications

There are no major complications witnessed during a hysterectomy. However, since it’s a surgical process, some complications may arise:

Blood clottings Infection is severe.
Bleeding.
A bowel obstruction.
Ripped internal stitches
Urinary tract damage.
Anaesthesia-related concerns.

Hysterectomy recovery period

It usually takes four to six weeks to recover from a hysterectomy. However, the recovery period is determined by the type of hysterectomy and the procedure used. It takes less time to recover from a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy than it does to recover from an abdominal hysterectomy.

You should check with your physician about the details of your hysterectomy and which procedure will suit you best before undergoing it.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Hyderabad - Kondapur. Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment.

1. What do you mean by hysterectomy?

The procedure to remove the uterus entirely or any part of it is called a hysterectomy. It could also involve the removal of surrounding organs and tissues like fallopian tubes and the ovaries.

2. Are there any benefits to having a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy can enhance your quality of life, particularly if you experience heavy, irregular bleeding or persistent pelvic pain. A hysterectomy can reduce your risk and perhaps even save your life if you have a higher-than-average risk of developing uterine cancer.

3. What types of hysterectomies are there?

Total hysterectomy, supracervical hysterectomy, total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are some of the many hysterectomy procedures.

4. Has anyone undergone a hysterectomy?

Vaginal drainage and discomfort at the incision sites are two of the most prevalent hysterectomy side effects. Other complications include menopause, hot flashes, libido loss, dryness, and sleeplessness are additional potential symptoms.