Hysterectomy – an introduction

Up to 55,000 hysterectomy operations are carried out in the UK every year. It can and does help to ease many gynaecological complaints, including heavy and/or painful periods and endometriosis. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the womb (uterus). It is one of the most common of all surgical procedures and can also involve the removal of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix and part of the vagina to cure or help a number of gynaecological complaints. Following this operation you will no longer have periods, you will not be fertile and you will not be able to have any more children. There are two main ways to perform a hysterectomy. The most common way is to remove the womb through a cut in the lower abdomen. The second, less common, way is to remove only the womb through a cut in the top of the vagina, the top of vagina is then stitched. The reasons for having a hysterectomy may include heavy bleeding, fibroids, cancer, Endometriosis, prolapse of the womb, pelvic inflammatory disease. There are many effects of having a hysterectomy and they may be physical, sexual and/or emotional. However, there are also a number of long-term health implications, which may include osteoporosis and heart disease. If you have your ovaries removed you may be prescribed Hormone Replacement Therapy. As with any long term drug treatment there are implications that should be considered and these may include breast cancer and thrombosis. However, current research seems to indicate it may have b...
Source: The Hysterectomy Association - Category: OBGYN Authors: Tags: Health recovery Source Type: news