Hysterectomy: 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.

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