If you have pelvic pain, heavy vaginal bleeding or gynecologic cancer, a variety of treatments ranging from conservative to surgical may offer a solution. One of the most common female surgical procedures is a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus. Surgeons can perform this procedure using several techniques, including a minimally invasive approach with robotic assistance.
If you’re considering a hysterectomy, trust your care to the skilled, compassionate team of OB/GYNs at Saint Francis Health System. Our surgeons have extensive experience performing this procedure and are fully committed to providing you with safe, high-quality care.
What is a Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy involves removing some or all of the uterus. Pregnancy is no longer possible after the surgery, and you will stop having periods. If your ovaries are removed as part of the procedure, you will experience menopause symptoms. For those reasons, it’s important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of surgery with your physician to determine if it’s the best treatment for you.
Surgeons can perform several types of hysterectomy, including:
- Total hysterectomy, which is removal of the uterus, cervix and, in some cases, the ovaries or fallopian tubes
- Partial hysterectomy, which is removal of the top part of the uterus and, possibly, the ovaries
- Radical hysterectomy, which is removal of the uterus, cervix and surrounding tissue, upper portion of the vagina, and, in some cases, the ovaries and fallopian tubes
Reasons to Have a Hysterectomy
Your physician may recommend a hysterectomy if you have:
- Adenomyosis — when the tissue lining the uterus grows into the organ’s walls, which can lead to intense pain and bleeding
- Endometriosis — when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, potentially causing pain and heavy bleeding
- Uterine fibroids — benign tumors in the uterine wall that can cause pain and severe bleeding
- Uterine prolapse — when the uterus falls out of normal position and enters the vagina
Hysterectomy may also be an option if you have chronic pelvic pain or cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus or endometrium.
Surgical Approaches
There’s more than one way to perform a hysterectomy. Your surgeon will select the most appropriate approach for you based on your overall health and diagnosis.
Your surgeon may go through the abdomen or vagina to perform your procedure. Not every surgery involves a big incision. You may be a candidate for laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive technique that involves several small cuts. Your surgeon may perform this type of procedure using a handheld scope or with the assistance of a robotic arm that he or she controls from a console. A laparoscopic hysterectomy may produce less pain and allow you to recover faster.
Hysterectomy to Help You Get Your Life Back
A hysterectomy at Saint Francis Health System may help put a stop to pelvic pain or heavy bleeding. Find an OB/GYN who can discuss this procedure with you or call Saint Francis HealthLink at 918-488-6688 to learn more.