Who needs Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove a woman's uterus. Hysterectomies are carried out to treat health problems that affect the female reproductive system such as: 

• Uterine fibroids resulting in pain, bleeding, or other problems
• Uterine prolapse
• Ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer or fallopian tubes cancer
• Endometriosis
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Adenomyosis, or a thickening of the uterus

A hysterectomy is a major operation with long recovery time and is only considered after all other treatment approaches have been tried without success. You'll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation. 

Hysterectomy is done when:

• Uterine fibroids that cause pain, bleeding, or other problems
• Cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries
• Endometriosis
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain

The ideal time for a hysterectomy that is recommended is between 18-35 years. 

Types of Hysterectomy

There are various types of hysterectomy and depending on the reason for the hysterectomy and why you need the operation, it is decided how much of your uterus and surrounding reproductive system can safely be left in place. The main types of hysterectomy are as follows:

• In a supracervial or subtotal hysterectomy, a surgeon removes only the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix in place. 
• In a total hysterectomy, the whole uterus and cervix are removed. This is the most commonly performed hysterectomy. 
• Radical hysterectomy - the womb and surrounding tissues are removed by the surgeon and also the fallopian tubes, the top part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph glands and fatty tissue. Radical hysterectomy is generally done only when cancer is present.
• Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in which the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) are removed.

Hysterectomy can be carried out in three ways, either it'll be laparoscopic, vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. 

Hysterectomy Recovery

A hysterectomy is a major operation and thus the patient should expect to stay in the hospital for up to 5 days after surgery, and it takes about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover. Recovery times can also vary depending on the type of hysterectomy which was performed. It is advised to rest as much as possible during this time and avoid lifting anything heavy, such as bags of shopping. You need time for your abdominal muscles and tissues to heal.

After a hysterectomy, the vast majority of women who underwent the operation saw improvement and cure in the main problem (for example, pain or heavy periods).

Long Term Recovery:

The permanent effects of hysterectomy are that you do not get your periods and can not also get pregnant.

Side Effects:

Hysterectomy is major surgery. Just like all surgeries, it comes with little complications too but they happen in rare cases. 

These risks include:

• major blood loss
• damage to surrounding tissues
• blood clots
• infection
• anaesthesia side effects
• bowel blockage

These are the symptoms that people experience after most surgeries. But these happen in very rare cases. This does not mean hysterectomy is not safe, doctors will accompany you about these symptoms before you leave the hospital and if they don't do, you can always ask your doctor about it.

After a hysterectomy treatment, the majority of women who were surveyed, feel the surgery was successful at improving or curing their main problems such as pain or heavy periods

Hysterectomy Cost In Pakistan