Hysterectomy Specialist

What Is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a procedure where all or part of the uterus is removed. After a hysterectomy, a woman's periods will stop since there is no uterine lining to shed. Many women feel emotionally and physically better after a hysterectomy. Having a hysterectomy does not affect sexual function and she will still have the same sex drive as she did before the surgery.

Why Does a Person Need a Hysterectomy?

A woman usually has a hysterectomy because of a serious health issue that needs to be addressed surgically. These can include painful uterine fibroids, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, vaginal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and adenomyosis. Removal of the uterus is also necessary for certain types of cancer, such as uterine, cervical, or ovarian cancer.

Typically, a hysterectomy is mainly performed in patients with cancer. For all other disorders, other kinds of treatment are tried first and uterine removal is performed as a last resort. The doctors at Women's Health Group care deeply and work closely with each patient to determine the best course of action for any unique circumstance. 

How is a Hysterectomy Performed?

There are several different ways a hysterectomy may be performed. In an open surgery, a surgeon will cut open the belly and take the uterus out through this five to seven-inch incision. This involves a hospital stay of around three days to allow the incision time to heal. For a minimally invasive hysterectomy, doctors are able to remove the uterus through the vagina or smaller cuts in the belly, leading to faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays. MIP hysterectomies offer shorter hospital stays, less scarring, less pain, and a lower chance of infection.

Additionally, doctors can also choose to remove the cervix and the top part of the vagina in extreme cases.