Is major surgery an option for me?

Lifestyle Changes | Drug Therapy | Minor Procedures | Major Surgery

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is major surgery and now can be performed in a variety of ways: abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotic. You and your doctor should discuss your specific situation and the best form of treatment for you.

Hysterectomy is for women who are not responsive to other treatments. Hysterectomy removes the entire uterus and requires a hospital stay. Recovery can take up to eight weeks, and you may feel tired for longer. After having a hysterectomy, a woman can no longer become pregnant and will stop having her period. Hysterectomies should be considered a treatment path of last resort. Laproscopic hysterectomies are less invasive and can shorten hospital stay and recovery time. You should have a discussion with your doctor about which surgery is right for you.

The risks of having a hysterectomy are similar to those with major abdominal operations and include blood clots, severe infection, hemorrhage (which may require a blood transfusion), bowel obstruction and injury to the urinary tract or other internal organs. Possible complications following surgery include fever, urinary tract infection, constipation and pain or discomfort during sex.

If your ovaries are removed (a separate procedure, sometimes done at the same time as the hysterectomy), you will also experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, dizziness and night sweats. It is likely that you will need some type of hormone replacement therapy (see hormonal drugs) to reduce these symptoms.