Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Learn About the Potential Benefits of Hysterectomy
• Part 2 of 3: Learn About the Potential Disadvantages of Hysterectomy
• Part 3 of 3: Make decisions
• Tips

A hysterectomy is an operation in which a woman's uterus is removed. This procedure, under certain circumstances, may be necessary to save lives - if, for example, you have uterine cancer or uncontrollable bleeding from the uterus. However, in most cases, hysterectomy is a planned operation. If your doctor recommends choosing a hysterectomy, you need to carefully consider your decision before agreeing. Don't make a hasty decision.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Learn About the Potential Benefits of Hysterectomy

1. 1 Be aware that if you have been diagnosed with cancer of any genital organs, then removing the uterus can save your life. If you have cancer of the uterus or endometrium, your doctor will want to remove the uterus to eradicate the cancer and prevent it from spreading. If you have ovarian or cervical cancer, your doctor may want to remove the uterus along with the ovaries and / or cervix to maximize the chances of eliminating all of the cancer and minimize the chance that it will reappear in the uterus. In these cases, hysterectomy may indeed be the best (or only) option, and may save your life.
   • In some cases, especially when the cancer is detected early and has not spread, you may want to try chemotherapy and / or radiation before resorting to a hysterectomy. Discuss this possibility with your doctor, but remember that the risks of delaying a hysterectomy may outweigh the benefits.
2. 2 Be aware that a hysterectomy may sometimes be necessary if you have uncontrolled bleeding during a caesarean section. Very rarely, during or immediately after a cesarean section, a woman may start bleeding from the uterus. If this happens, doctors will try to stop the bleeding without removing the uterus, but this is not always possible. In this case, hysterectomy is a life-saving procedure.
3. 3 Be aware that a hysterectomy can relieve the symptoms of fibroids. Fibroids (also called fibroids) are benign tumors in the uterus. For many women, fibroids cause no symptoms at all, but some women with mine suffer from heavy vaginal bleeding, menstrual difficulties, and pelvic pain. In cases where removal of the uterus (and the associated cessation of menses) can completely eliminate symptoms, it should be considered.
   • Keep in mind that fibroids tend to shrink when menopause occurs. Therefore, older women or women with mild symptoms may choose to do nothing.
   • Be aware that there are other treatments available for fibroids, including an operation called a myomectomy - the surgical removal of part of the uterus, not the entire uterus. A myomectomy will allow you to preserve the uterus, but it is more difficult than a hysterectomy and may not produce the desired results. Discuss these options with your doctor.
4. 4 Be aware that a hysterectomy can relieve the symptoms of endometriosis. Endometriosis is an overgrowth of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) outside the uterus. If you have endometriosis, the endometrial layer can grow into the walls of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and intestines; also, scars can form on the pelvic organs. Like fibroids, endometriosis does not always cause symptoms, but pain can occur in some cases, especially during menstruation. A hysterectomy can relieve these symptoms.
   • Depending on the degree of endometriosis, a hysterectomy alone may not be enough. Your doctor may recommend removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well.
   • While a hysterectomy may be the best course of action, for severe cases of endometriosis, keep in mind that if your symptoms are mild, other treatment options may be worth considering. Talk to your doctor about medications and less drastic surgeries.
5. 5 Know that a hysterectomy can relieve symptoms of pelvic adhesions. Pelvic adhesions are scars that can form on reproductive organs, sometimes splicing the organs together. Women with pelvic adhesions sometimes experience severe pain and problems with the bladder and bowels, and they can become infertile. In very serious cases of pelvic adhesions, a hysterectomy can correct the problem and relieve symptoms.
   • Additional adhesions may develop after a hysterectomy, so talk with your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of this surgery.
   • Ask your doctor about less drastic surgery, especially if your symptoms are mild to moderate rather than severe. Laser therapy, for example, is sometimes effective in treating adhesions.
6. 6 Be aware that a hysterectomy can relieve the symptoms of uterine prolapse. Over time, the muscles that support the pelvic organs can weaken, stretch, and lose tone, causing the uterus to sink down into the vagina. This happens especially often after childbirth, as well as in women who are obese. In severe cases, prolapse of the uterus can lead to pain and pressure in the pelvic area, and also makes it difficult to control the functions of the bladder and bowel. Your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy if the symptoms are severe enough to warrant it.
   • As with other conditions, there are less drastic measures that need to be tried before resorting to a hysterectomy. Regular pelvic floor exercises can help you, and you may also be advised of a uterine ring, which is inserted into your vagina to support your uterus. You can also try hormone therapy.

Part 2 of 3: Learn About the Potential Disadvantages of Hysterectomy

1. 1 Learn about the risks associated with this operation. A hysterectomy is a large, invasive surgery. It comes with a range of risks, including blood clots, serious infections, pelvic adhesions, postoperative bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and trauma to the bowel, bladder, urinary tract, and other reproductive organs. As with all major surgeries, there is a risk of serious complications, coma and death. You need to talk to your doctor about the severity of your condition and decide if your symptoms warrant the risk of hysterectomy.
2. 2 Consider the recovery period. With a hysterectomy, the hospitalization and recovery time may differ depending on how it is performed (if intraperitoneally, it will take longer to recover than if it is vaginal). Overall, however, you most likely will not be able to return to normal activities for at least four to six weeks, and you will not be able to resume sex for at least six to eight weeks.
3. 3 Be aware of the long-term consequences of hysterectomy. If you have your uterus removed, you can never have a baby. Your period will stop. If the doctor removes the ovaries, your body will no longer receive the hormones they release, and menopause will ensue, regardless of your age.
   • Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, loss of bone density, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido. If your doctor plans to remove your ovaries along with your uterus, then these are the drawbacks you need to consider.
4. 4 Consider the emotional impact of a hysterectomy. Many women feel depressed after a hysterectomy. The uterus can be a symbol of fertility, youth and healthy femininity; its loss can cause feelings of sadness or anxiety. If you were planning to have children, then you may be saddened by the loss of such an opportunity.
   • Psychological counseling can help women who experience these side effects. If you really want to have a hysterectomy, it is worth finding a doctor to help you get through it.
5. 5 Be aware of potential sexual side effects. Some women notice a loss of libido or loss of sexual pleasure after a hysterectomy. These effects may be partly psychological, but there is also some evidence that the uterus plays a significant role in sexual pleasure, at least for some women. If you lose your uterus, you may notice sexual side effects. Talk to your doctor about this possibility.
   • If your doctor removes the ovaries along with the uterus, then the effects of menopause may exacerbate these sexual side effects.
   • For some women, a hysterectomy can have the opposite effect: you can get more pleasure from sex, on the contrary. This may be because serious symptoms that were present before surgery were affecting your sex life, or because a hysterectomy relieves stress from thinking about an accidental pregnancy (or both).

Part 3 of 3: Make decisions

1. 1 Find a doctor you trust. For women with sexual and reproductive health problems, a primary care physician and / or gynecologist who will listen to you and pay attention to all of your concerns is critical. You don't want to rush to the operating room to see a doctor who hasn't taken the time to hear about all of your symptoms and try less invasive treatments.
2. 2 Consider postponing a decision. If you do not have cancer or emergency bleeding, and your symptoms are mild or moderate, rather than severe or devastating, consider “wait and see”.This is a particularly effective strategy for women who have only mild symptoms and may still be trying to have a baby.
3. 3 Try less drastic treatments first. If you do not have cancer or emergency bleeding after a caesarean section, you may want to try other treatments first. Depending on the specific task, these procedures can include pain relief, hormone therapy, and more targeted surgery. In most cases, there is no reason to rush; try these and other options first.
4. 4 Ask for a different opinion. If less drastic treatments do not resolve your symptoms, then ask for a different opinion, even if you trust your doctor and you like him. This will help you keep yourself safe and make sure your doctor is not missing anything.
   • If you don't want to offend your doctor, try not to think about it. A good doctor will understand (and even encourage!) Your desire for a different opinion.
5. 5 Talk to your spouse or someone important to you. If you have a spouse or partner, talk openly with them about the consequences of hysterectomy - especially loss of fertility, recovery time, and if your ovaries are removed, then an abrupt transition to menopause. Also talk openly about alternatives, how can you continue to live with your symptoms? It is very important that your significant other understands all the problems and is ready to support you in any case.
6. 6 See a therapist. The decision to have a hysterectomy is one of the major life-changing decisions. A therapist can help you navigate your options, analyze your own feelings and concerns, and come to the best solution for you and your family. If you decide to have a hysterectomy, your therapist can also help you deal with the emotional and sexual consequences of the surgery. If you decide not to have a hysterectomy, then he will help you develop a set of measures to deal with any pain, or the manifestation of those symptoms that you may be experiencing.
7. 7 Make the decision that you feel is best for you. At some level, you may not be happy with all the options: you cannot get a hysterectomy, but at the same time, you feel that you are unable to cope with the symptoms. In this case, you may have to choose the option that you, in general, have fewer objections to.

Tips

• Your doctor may recommend a subtotal hysterectomy (which removes only the uterus, without the cervix), general hysterectomy (which removes the uterus with the cervix), or radical hysterectomy (which removes the uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic lymph nodes) nodes). Side effects and recovery times will vary greatly depending on what type of hysterectomy you have, so discuss your options with your doctor.
• Never make hasty decisions. Unless you have cancer or an emergency, a hysterectomy is something that can wait a while for you to think it over carefully. Try other treatments, get a few opinions, and talk to close friends and family. Explore all the options before making a choice. Remember that a hysterectomy is irreversible.
• If you've had a hysterectomy, look for support groups in your area or online. Many women have gone through situations like yours, and they can be a good source of comfort, advice, and friendship for you.