Reason For Hysterectomy And Types Of Hysterectomy

Reason For Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is defined as surgical removal of uterus  in females with or without cervix.  It is used to treat a number of female health issues such as painful periods, prolapse or fibroids. Hysterectomy operation can be performed through vagina or abdomen.  However, when a female is advised to go through hysterectomy it creates panic. The reason behind is she is not well aware of reasons for hysterectomy, its types  and other related information. To help you update your information on hysterectomy here is our article.

What Is Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is a surgical removal of uterus that can be performed without without cervix. Uterus is the muscular reproductive organ of female body that features the developing baby throughout the nine months of  pregnancy.  The lining of uterus known as endometrium thickened every month after ovulation and get ready to receive the fertilized egg.  However if the ovum is an fertilized the lining shed away and the process is termed as menstruation. Thus,  the female who goes through hysterectomy no longer has periods and it cannot conceive.

Reasons For Hysterectomy

The condition that are treated by hysterectomy includes:

• Irregular or heavy periods –  However, endometrial ablation is the new technique that is used nowadays to treat irregular or heavy  periods.
• Fibroid –  Non-cancerous growth within the muscular wall of the uterus, within the uterine cavity or outside the uterus.
• Endometriosis – It is a condition where the cells that are similar to the lining of uterus starts growing outside the uterus especially around the lining, inside the abdomen, pelvis and ovaries.
• Adenomyosis – It is a condition  in which the cells similar to endometrial grows in the muscles of the uterus
• Dysmenorrhea – Severe period pain due to adenomyosis or recurrent  endometriosis
• Prolapse of the uterus – Due damage to the muscles of pelvic Floor or loose ligaments or after the childbirth
• Pelvic inflammatory disease –  Acute or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease is usually caused by bacterial infection or can be due to sexually transmitted infections.

What Are The Types Of Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy are of five types.

• Total hysterectomy – The uterus and the cervix both are removed.
• Partial or subtotal hysterectomy – Here the uterus is removed but the cervix is not removed. In most of the cases, the removal of cervix is advised because cervix is a potential cancer site. However, some female feel that cervix serves a purpose during penetrative sex. If cervix is not removed then regular cervical screening is recommended.
• Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy  –The uterus is removed along with ovaries and fallopian tubes. The surgery is usually done in female who has cancer of the uterus or ovaries or is suffering from chronic pain due to recurrent and losses or recurrent pelvic inflammatory infection.
• Radial hysterectomy –  It is an extensive surgery that involve removal of uterus along with the removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, upper part of the vagina and associated lymph nodes and pelvic ligament.
• Hysterectomy with prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy – In most of the cases, doctors recommend to get fallopian tubes removed at the time of hysterectomy as there are studies that suggest early ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tubes.

Procedure Done Before Choosing A Hysterectomy

Before choosing hysterectomy your doctor will discuss everything before the operation that includes your medical history, your present condition, pros and cons of the surgery and the support options after surgery. Also, your doctor discusses how you are feeling about the surgery. In addition, a range of test are done before hysterectomy that includes complete blood count test.

After Hysterectomy Care At Home

You may be required to stay for two to four days in the hospital depending upon the surgery. Within the first week after the surgery, it is important to start abdominal and pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic and maintain vaginal muscle tone and the bladder functions. It is better to see a physiotherapist to know the particular exercise.

Try to rest for at least two weeks after the operation and avoid driving during this time.  Better rest lying down. In addition, avoid standing for more than a minute at a time in early postoperative period. Avoid stretching and heavy lifting. To avoid constipation you need to drink plenty of fluids and eat fresh vegetables and fruits. Your doctor may prescribe stool softener for a first few days. In addition, antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection. Avoid vaginal sex for about six weeks post operation.

After hysterectomy,a female no longer requires to take contraceptives or get menstrual periods. If ovaries are removed female may experience menopause symptoms starting within a few days following the surgery. Your doctor should discuss oestrogen replacement therapy and other options with you depending upon your age if you were having periods before hysterectomy. In case, hysterectomy is done to treat cancer then the patient should get regular check-ups to make sure that she is cancer free. 

Do not worry as hysterectomy can be an effective method to treat a number of gynaecological conditions to improve your quality of life.