Women suffering from serious uterine problems go through a surgical procedure called hysterectomy. It involves the removal of the uterus, including organs like the cervix and fundus, depending on the person’s condition. Incidentally, hysterectomy is also a means of birth control. Without the uterus, an unwanted pregnancy won’t materialize, so some women choose a hysterectomy, even if nothing is really wrong with their uterus.
Two Types of Hysterectomy
Two general types of hysterectomies are available, depending on your condition.
Complete Hysterectomy – removal of the entire uterus, including the organs inside and some of the closely connected sections
Partial Hysterectomy – removal of the uterine body, without touching the cervix and some of the other organs
Each type has its own purpose. Your doctor will inform you which type should be performed. In some cases, especially when it comes to birth control, you are given the choice whether or not to retain the cervix and the ovaries. By doing so, you can still get complete sexual pleasure without having to worry about unwanted pregnancies.
Why Get a Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy, being able to stop certain reproductive cancers and uterine defects, is the most common gynecological surgery performed worldwide. People get hysterectomies for a variety of reasons. Here are some of them:
Uterine Cancer – Cancers, when uncontrolled, spread throughout the entire body, infecting other organs that their cells pass by. Through hysterectomy, the cancer is contained inside the uterus. Removing the whole organ prevents uterine cancer from reaching other cells and organs. A full recovery is expected right after the procedure.
Ovarian Cancer – The ovaries are connected to the uterus, which means an ovarian cancer will likely infect the uterus first. Surgically removing the ovaries and the uterus is one of the safest ways to deal with the cancer.
Cervical Cancer – Cervical cancer, just like its ovarian counterpart, is treated through hysterectomy. The cancer is contained, as the uterus, cervix and sometimes the ovaries are removed.
Breast Cancer – The breast may be far from the female reproductive system but a hysterectomy lowers the chance for breast cancer to develop. At a certain age, women who have a substantial history of breast cancer often go for a hysterectomy.
Reproductive Problems – Discomforting conditions like severe menstrual bleeding, pelvic pains, and pain while having sex can be treated through hysterectomy. By removing all of the problem areas, the discomfort goes away as well.
Endometriosis – Endometriosis, signaled by the abnormal growth of tissue beyond the uterus, can cause severe pains and serious problems, especially if it enters its late stages. Through hysterectomy, the abnormal tissue is severed from the body, prompting a full recovery.
Adenomyosis – Just like the endometriosis, adenomyosis concerns the presence of abnormal tissue inside the uterus. It may be less severe than endometriosis but it causes just as much discomfort. Naturally, the same treatment is administered to patients.
Placenta Praevia – Placenta praevia normally does not constitute for hysterectomy. Though, in severe cases, when the placenta has almost covered the entire cervix, hysterectomy becomes a necessary treatment. Many complications may arise if the uterus is not removed.
Sex Change – A total sex change can only be completed once the gonads have been switched. It just so happened that the ovaries are joined by the uterus. By removing the uterus, testicles can be implanted in the female reproductive system.
Birth Control – A woman without a uterus will not give birth. She will not have the means to reproduce nor carry the embryo.
Hysterectomy provides the treatment for some diseases or conditions, at the expense of not having kids for the rest of your life. You should clearly weigh your options first before deciding to undergo the life-changing surgical procedure.
How Hysterectomy is Done
The doctor can take several routes when doing a hysterectomy. He or she can remove the uterus via an incision or through the vagina. Whatever the case, your doctor knows which option is more suitable for your condition.
Laparotomy – Laporotomy is the most popular method for hysterectomies, since it gives doctors complete access to the uterus and its surrounding organs. An incision is made in the pelvic area, which should open right above the uterus. The doctor will then extract the uterus and some of the connected organs. The recovery period for the procedure is about six weeks.
Vaginal Hysterectomy – This method entails the removal of the uterus through the vagina, which provides limited access to the uterine area. Before, only complete hysterectomies could be performed with this method. Now, modern technology permits doctors to retain the cervix and the ovaries.
Laparotomy, when compared to vaginal hysterectomy, has a better success rate, since doctors can simply remove the uterus through the incision. The downside is, the exposed areas in laprotomies are more susceptible to hemorrhage and infections.
Side-Effects
Since an integral part of the reproductive system is going to be removed, a list of side-effects is to be expected. Some of the them can lead to fatal conditions, so you should check your options before you decide to take the procedure. Don’t worry, your doctor will tell you all about these conditions.
Infertility – After hysterectomy, you won’t be able to conceive or even form a child. The uterus is the organ chiefly responsible for fertilization and carrying the unborn baby. Without it, giving birth is practically impossible. You should look for alternative treatments if you plan to raise a family in the future.
Cardiovascular Disease – Having the uterus won’t automatically give you cardiovascular disease but the chance for this occurrence greatly increases. Research states that hysterectomy increases the occurrence of diseases related to the circulatory system by four times. If the ovaries were removed, the percentage balloons to seven times the normal rate.
Osteoporosis and Height Loss – Menopausal women who have gone through hysterectomy stand a greater chance of having osteoporosis and fractures. The loss of estrogen and testosterone contributes to the weakening of the bone structure, which also paves the way for a gradual decrease in height. (Learn how to get rid of osteoporosis)
Reduced Vaginal Lubrication – Without the uterus, women will have problems self-lubricating during sex. The orgasmic feeling is also reduced, since a part of that sensation comes from the uterus. As a result, your sex drive will be less.
Bladder Problems – A badly done hysterectomy may damage the bladder, which is closely connected to the uterus. Various diseases related to the excretory system may arise.
Infection – The open wound in laparotomic hysterectomies is susceptible to infection, especially if the doctor does not clean it properly.
Hemorrhage – The exposed organs in laparotomic hysterectomies can hemorrhage. Doctors should be careful when cutting the vessels that hold the uterus and its other components, or else the patient may lose too much blood.
The side-effects of hysterectomy are serious and should never be overlooked. Some women view hysterectomy as a last resort treatment or means of birth control.
Alternative Treatment Procedures
Given the number and gravity of hysterectomy’s side-effects, some alternative treatments were developed. You should view these methods first before considering the surgical procedure:
Endometrial Ablation – Women suffering from severe menstrual and uterine bleeding can take an endometrial ablation. This is the extraction of the endometrial lining, without removing the uterus. People who want to get pregnant go for this option.
Myomectomy – Myomas, in some cases, can cause serious uterine problems. In place of a hysterectomy, you can choose to get a myomectomy. The procedure involves the extraction of myomas inside the uterus. It is a pretty delicate operation, so make sure that your doctor is qualified to perform the procedure.
Embolism – Embolism refers to a simple treatment for myomas, and heavy vaginal bleeding. Minimal surgery is required for this procedure, so make this your first option.
Aside from these three, there are more alternatives to hysterectomy available. You can consult your doctor to know more about them.
The Lowdown
A hysterectomy is the most effective means of birth control in terms of preventing pregnancy. However, it causes many risks and side-effects for those who undergo the procedure. You may not have trouble with unwanted pregnancies but you might be embattled with various health problems borne out of the operation. Only consider getting a hysterectomy if you have a serious uterine, ovarian and cervical condition. If you’re interested in reading this article, you’ll surely be interested in reading how to recover from a hysterectomy.