Vaginal Hysterectomy to Remove Uterine Fibroids, Diseased Organs
A vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure to remove the uterus and sometimes other organs and tissues from a woman. The purpose of any hysterectomy is removing the uterus and it may also be used to treat a specific problem such as uterine fibroids or to remove diseased organs and tissues. In some cases, especially in cancers, an abdominal incision may be preferable because the abdominal incision allows freer access and view. However, a smaller discreet incision may be a better choice for many women. It is a less intrusive operation than an abdominal hysterectomy for a few reasons. For example, the incision is smaller and heals faster. In addition, there is less obvious scarring. A woman who has a benign condition may also prefer to undergo a vaginal hysterectomy because the hospital stay may be shorter and therefore more cost effective.
To do a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon accesses the uterus through the vagina. A circular incision is made around the cervix and the uterus can be removed. A physician may also opt to use laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. In this technique a minor incision is made in the abdominal area, around the navel. An imaging device is threaded through and used to view the pubic region. The surgeon(s) will make a vaginal incision as well and will pull the uterus out from there.
When considering the pros and cons of a vaginal hysterectomy it’s important to consider the reasons why the hysterectomy is wanted and needed in the first place. If the hysterectomy is in response to fibroids for example, the size of the tumors could influence the decision. If the tumors are large, going through the abdomen may be more efficient. The vaginal hysterectomy is often the preferred choice because of the many advantages over the alternative; less scarring, faster recovery and reduced hospitalization but it may only be recommended under the right conditions.
Sphere: Related ContentEffects of Hysterectomy on Sexuality
After a hysterectomy there will be a period of time when sexual activity is restricted. This is generally about 6 weeks. After this period, normal activity can resume.
The effects of hysterectomy on sexuality may depend a lot on the individual woman and her circumstances. For example, if a woman decided to have a hysterectomy because she was suffering from painful fibroids that interfered with normal sexual intimacy, sex may actually be more enjoyable after the hysterectomy.
Other women who have been concerned about pregnancy may also feel enhanced enjoyment because anxiety over getting pregnant is resolved. Other women may report that they have a reduced sex drive and that sex is less pleasurable when it occurs. This may be due in part to hormonal changes associated with the loss of ovaries. Hormone replacement therapy may help balance this out.
Also vaginal dryness may happen more frequently and that may make sex uncomfortable. Using personal lubricants may make sex more pleasurable for both partners if this happens. The effects of hysterectomy on sexuality can be complicated for some women because of the emotional repercussions of a hysterectomy.
Some women feel a loss of femininity after the procedure. This can be do to societal expectations about women or the individual expectations of the woman. In addition, a hysterectomy initiates menopause in women who were premenopausal before surgery and a woman will now be experiencing other uncomfortable sensations such as hot flashes and night sweats that may impact intimacy.
There is every reason to be optimistic about resuming a normal sex life after a hysterectomy. There are therapies available for women who are experiencing difficulty with the effects of a hysterectomy on sexuality such as hormone replacement and using lubricants. Communication between partners and patience will also go a long way to restore intimacy.
Sphere: Related ContentHysterectomy Results: Benefits, Side Effects and Care
Hysterectomies are a common procedure. In fact, it is one of the most frequently performed surgeries on women. The reasons a woman would undergo a hysterectomy are varied, but there are specific hysterectomy results from the operation.
One important hysterectomy result is that a woman will no longer be able to become pregnant. The removal of the uterus and sometimes other reproductive organs and structures means that a woman can no longer carry a child. In addition, a hysterectomy eliminates monthly menstrual cycles. Often the hysterectomy results are therapeutic as well.
Hysterectomies are used as a means to resolve gynecological conditions for instance. One example, of how a hysterectomy is used to treat an illness is the removal of the uterus that has fibroids. Fibroids are benign uterine tumors that can lead to irregular, painful periods.
Hysterectomy results can be lifesaving as well. In instances where cancers are present in the uterus, a hysterectomy can stop the cancer before it spreads. When there are more advanced malignancies a complete hysterectomy may be necessary in order to have a good outcome. Another important aspect of hysterectomies is that they often lead to the early onset of menopause for women who were perimenopausal before the operation.
When a hysterectomy leads to early menopause, the hysterectomy results will vary also. As long as the ovaries remain intact in the woman, she may not experience an abrupt hormonal shift. Even then, however, she may go into perimenopause earlier than she would have otherwise. When this happens the loss of estrogen will result in hormone loss that can lead to symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings.
In addition, changes in the vagina as a result of lowered estrogen could make sexual relationships uncomfortable. Another hysterectomy result that is possible in this scenario is that she may become more vulnerable to osteoporosis and heart disease.
Sphere: Related ContentRecovery after Hysterectomy: Tips to help reduce the discomfort
Recovery after hysterectomy will take some time. It may take from 4-6 weeks before normal activity resumes. This period of recovery is important both mentally and physically and utmost care should be taken to follow the physician’s guidelines for proper recuperation.
Recovery from a vaginal hysterectomy may be quicker, but it will still be necessary to refrain from some activities for a while after the surgery. For example, no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should be undertaken. In addition, care should be taken regarding movement and bending. A woman who has undergone a hysterectomy should move slowly and cautiously. She should avoid climbing stairs and doing housework. Sexual activity is another restriction imposed of women who have recently had a hysterectomy. After 6 weeks this too can resume.
A woman who is going through recovery after hysterectomy will be given pain medications to manage pain and discomfort. Pain medications often cause constipation so including high fiber foods and vegetables will make this part of recovery less troublesome. Heating pads may also provide relief from pain. Care should be taken not to put the heating pad directly on the skin as this can lead to burns. When using prescription drugs avoid alcohol and driving. It may be helpful to anticipate recovery after hysterectomy before having the procedure. For example, preparing the bedroom in advance may help.
Gather together interesting reading material, pencils, puzzles, notebook paper are examples of the materials that will help reduce boredom and more importantly keep the patient in bed resting. Make sure she has plently of comfortable pillows and blankets available.
In addition, she should have access to plenty of fresh water and juices. The patient should also monitor her own recovery. For example, keeping track of temperature and being mindful of unusual bleeding from the surgery or the catheter. Be wary of dizziness and excessive pain. Recovery after hysterectomy takes awhile, but with patience and care complications and discomfort can be minimized.
Sphere: Related ContentAbdominal Hysterectomy to Treat Gynecological Problems
An Abdominal hysterectomy is often preferable to the alternative vaginal hysterectomy. The advantage to the abdominal surgery is that the procedure allows the physician to see the condition of all the female organs and surrounding tissues. Not only that, but the surgeon can readily access the areas of concern because he or she has more room to navigate the area.
On the other hand, an abdominal hysterectomy can have more complications and in addition result in a longer recovery time than the vaginal procedure. The patient and physician will have to weigh the benefits and risks associated with the surgery before proceeding. An abdominal hysterectomy can be done to resolve a host of gynecological problems from fibroids to cancer. In cases where cancer is present it may be necessary to go through the abdomen to make sure that all the cancer is removed.
There are two primary types of incisions in an abdominal surgery. They include a vertical incision and a horizontal incision. The vertical incision runs from bellow the belly button straight down to just above the pubic bone. The horizontal incision (Pfannenstiel incision) runs across the abdomen an inch or so above the pubic bone. Sometimes the Pfannenstiel incision is called a bikini-line incision. While the advantages to an abdominal hysterectomy can be significant in some cases the disadvantages can also be important. There will be scarring across the abdomen.
In addition, recovery is both more painful and of longer duration. The length of a hospital stay is also increased which means the procedure can be more expensive that it’s vaginal counter-point. Further, there may be a higher risk of infection to the incision than the minimal incision seen in vaginal hysterectomies. Careful consideration of all the factors involved in an abdominal hysterectomy will allow a woman to be better prepared for the procedure and the recovery time afterwards.
Sphere: Related ContentHysterectomy Benefits: Treat Heavy Bleeding, Reduce Risk of Uterine Cancer
Many women are faced with chronic or life threatening gynecological conditions that are resistant to many treatments. For these women, there may be hysterectomy benefits. For example, female cancers are sometimes resistant to chemotherapy. The risk of mortality from cancer dramatically increases in the absence of treatment. In this case hysterectomy benefits may outweigh the risks.
Another situation where a hysterectomy benefits a woman is if she is subjected to chronic bleeding and or pain. This is especially true if her condition interferes with leading a normal life. Fibroids, for example, are benign uterine tumors. They can lead to severe pelvic pain. There may also be excessive bleeding and pressure on the bladder as a result of fibroids. For some woman this condition is debilitating and results in loss of quality in their lives. For instance, a woman with fibroids may miss more work due to pain and bleeding. This condition may also impair intimate relations as the act of sex may increase symptoms.
Uterine prolapse is another condition where there are often hysterectomy benefits. The uterus in some women descends into the vagina because supporting structures weaken and fail over time. Women who have this condition face incontinence, trouble having normal bowel movements. In addition uterine prolapse can result in pelvic pressure. Having a hysterectomy may resolve embarrassment from incontinence and can allow a woman to maintain independence as she ages.
Hysterectomy benefits women who don’t want to become pregnant as well. Some women, for example, have problems with their reproductive system that means a pregnancy could result in a severe health risk. There are hysterectomy benefits in many situations; however, for many women a hysterectomy may not be necessary so weighing all the available options is prudent. Discuss these options with a gynecologists and getting a second or third opinion may be warranted.
Sphere: Related ContentHysterectomy: Treatment for Fibroids, Endometriosis, Chronic Pelvic Pain
A hysterectomy is a common procedure whereby part or all of the female reproductive organs and or supporting tissue are removed. There are three types of hysterectomy; partial, total and radical.
A hysterectomy is used to combat several conditions and the extent of the procedure (partial, total or radical) will depend on the circumstances and condition of a woman. For example, a hysterectomy may be advised for a woman with certain kinds of gynecological cancers.
Other conditions where a hysterectomy may be a suitable treatment are fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and chronic pelvic pain. Sometimes a hysterectomy may be recommended for women who are experiencing profound bleeding, pelvic pain and problems with the bladder associated with a gynecologic condition.
Surgeons may elect to perform an abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy depending on the needs of their patient. Both have advantages and disadvantages associated with them. An abdominal hysterectomy for example, allows the surgeon freer access to the woman’s internal organs. In the event of a wide-spread cancer or other system encompassing disease condition the abdominal incision improves the physician’s ability to see what the extent of damage is and also allows more room in which to work. The vaginal hysterectomy on the other hand reduces scarring and healing time both.
A hysterectomy may not always be necessary for treatment of all of the conditions it is used to treat. For example, chemotherapy may be used to treat some gynecological cancers. Further, fibroids, endometriosis and a prolapsed uterus may respond to alternative treatment plans. Hysterectomies remove the ability to have babies, so if a woman wants to have children, she may look to other options.
For some women a hysterectomy may be a lifesaving procedure. There are risks associated with any type of surgery and hysterectomies are no exception. A woman who is considering a hysterectomy should consider the risks and benefits thoroughly before undertaking the procedure.
Sphere: Related ContentHysterectomy Procedure, Types of Hysterectomy
There are four primary types of hysterectomy. There are partial, total, hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and radical hysterectomies. Deciding what hysterectomy procedure is appropriate will depend on the patient and her individual needs. In addition, a hysterectomy may be done through the abdomen or through the vagina depending on the situation. A hysterectomy is the removal of a woman’s uterus and sometimes other organs related to reproduction. The end result of a hysterectomy is that a woman will no longer be able to get pregnant, but also that many gynecological problems may be resolved.
A hysterectomy procedure is done in the hospital as an inpatient. Recovery time will be dependent on the procedure done and whether there are any other complications. The uterus is detached from the body in a partial hysterectomy. In the case of a total hysterectomy the uterus and the cervix will be removed. On occasion, the hysterectomy procedure will involve removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This is called a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A radical hysterectomy involves the removal of all the sex organs including a portion of the vagina, connecting tissue and lymph nodes (Mayo Clinic).
When it is determined that a hysterectomy procedure is necessary, the physician will perform the vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. There are two types of incisions associated with an abdominal hysterectomy. The incision can run horizontal or vertical. The vertical incision runs from under the navel to slightly above the pubic bone. The second commonly used type of incision, the horizontal incision (Pfannenstiel incision) runs across the abdomen about an inch above the pubic bone. The vaginal hysterectomy involves the physician gaining access to the uterus through the vagina and cervix. This approach has less scarring and a shorter healing period than the abdominal hysterectomy procedure, but the doctor doesn’t have as much room to work or as good of a view of other organs in the reproductive system.
Sphere: Related ContentHysterectomy Alternatives: Therapies to fix hormonal imbalance
Gynecological problems can often lead women into having hysterectomies. While there are times that hysterectomy may be necessary, in other cases there may be hysterectomy alternatives that should be considered. If a woman for example, has cancer of the reproductive organs, then the procedure may be the best option to save her life. However, if her condition is benign, other treatments may also be effective.
There are several conditions that are commonly resolved by hysterectomies. Cancers of the female organs, fibroid tumors, endometriosis, irregular or heavy bleeding and uterine prolapse are examples of conditions that often drive women to hysterectomies.
Hysterectomy alternative therapies such as drug therapies directed at reducing abnormal uterine bleeding are an example. For instance, bleeding may be linked to hormone production and supplemental hormones may fix the problem.
Another possible hysterectomy alternative related to uterine bleeding may be endometrial ablation. If endometriosis is present, a doctor may be able to use heat or cold to destroy uterine tissue. This procedure though minimally invasive, usually results in sterilization. If fibroids (benign uterine tumors) are present, then uterine artery embolization is often indicated. The blood supply is cut off to the fibroids and the end result is that they shrink.
There are also the medical treatments of myomectomy, the surgical removal of fibroids and focused ultrasound surgery.There may be natural hysterectomy alternatives as well. For instance Dong Qui and acupuncture have been used to treat gynecological conditions. In addition, herbs such as squaw vine, false unicorn, and black cohosh have also been used for many female problems historically. Though natural treatments as a hysterectomy alternative seems like a safe alternative, there are risks associated with their use as well. For example, many of these herbs are quite potent and should not be mixed with prescription drugs or taken in excess. Before beginning a treatment plan using any herbal medicine or supplements, consult a medical professional.
Sphere: Related ContentAyurvedic Facial Massage for Naturally Healthy Glowing Skin
A facial massage based on Ayurvedic principles, this massage rejuvenates your skin makes it healthy and glowing. The Ayurvedic facial massage revitalizes your skin and provides you with a relaxed feeling momentarily relieving you of your daily tensions. This massage uses natural herbal product extracts and pure essential oils.
Ayurvedic facial massage is a combination of applying pressure to different points and as well as applying rhythmic sculpting and contouring strokes. Ayurvedic facial massage helps relax muscles and the skin tone. It helps revitalize the muscles in the face by applying pressure to different sinus points.
Getting a Ayurvedic facial massage is like getting a natural face lift. Ayurvedic facial massage is available in many different spas as well as clinics. Facial massage in increasingly being accepted as a very important source for relaxation and as a vital exercise for facial skin. Facial massage may also be credited for its anti-aging benefits. Facial massage eliminates dead cells thus delaying the aging process. Some massage spas offer other services such as mud masks, candle massage therapy, aromatherapy, along with ayurvedic facial massage.
Eastern types of Ayurvedic facial massage are found to help ease some health conditions. They are found to stimulate some points which help ease PMS, some chronic pains and even some digestive disorders.
Ayurvedic facial massage is also practiced by professionals such as cosmetologists, healing practitioners, holistic practitioners besides the regular massage therapists themselves.
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