Why you may need a Hysterectomy and Alternatives

Image by Sammy-Sander from Pixabay 

If you have been diagnosed with a condition that requires a hysterectomy, you likely have a lot of questions about the procedure, your recovery, and your long-term health.

Hysterectomy is major surgery so in this article we look at the reasons for proceeding with one and some alternatives to having a hysterectomy.

Reasons you may need a hysterectomy

• Uterine fibroids - are muscular tumours that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). They are more often benign and may cause pain or heavy bleeding for many women.
• Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding - changing hormone levels, infection, cancer, or fibroids can cause heavy or prolonged bleeding.
• Uterine prolapse - the uterus slips from its usual place into the vagina. This is more common in women who had several vaginal births, but it can also happen after menopause. Prolapse can lead to urinary and bowel incontinence and pelvic pressure.
• Endometriosis - when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus on the ovaries where it doesn't belong. This can cause severe pain and bleeding between periods and is common among women in their 30s and 40s making it difficult to get pregnant.
• Adenomyosis - the tissue that lines the uterus grows inside the walls of the uterus where it doesn't belong. The uterine walls thicken and cause severe pain and heavy bleeding.
• Cancer of the uterus, ovary, cervix, or the lining of the uterus - if you have cancer in one of these areas a hysterectomy may be the best option. Other treatment options may include chemotherapy and radiation.

Alternative options to a hysterectomy

Observing.  Uterine fibroids tend to shrink after menopause, so your doctor may suggest observing the development before surgery.

Exercises. For urinary prolapse, you can try Kegel exercises. Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises help restore tone to the muscles holding the uterus in place.

Medication. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help with endometriosis or with pain and bleeding during your period. Hormonal birth control (pill, shot, vaginal ring, IUD) may help with heavy or irregular bleeding.

Pessary for uterine prolapse. A pessary is a rubber or plastic donut-shaped object, similar to a diaphragm used for birth control. The pessary is inserted into the vagina to hold the uterus in place.

Surgery - Surgery may be the best option for you and I want you to be informed so you can make the best decision for your body and be calm and confident before, during and after the procedure.

My Pelvic Surgery Success is a one-of-a-kind program that will take you from feeling depressed, anxious and consumed by fear of surgery to informed, confident and calm so you can put your nagging symptoms behind you and get back to living life with spontaneity and joy! I want you to live your best life free from the distractions that come along with pelvic floor challenges like incontinence, prolapse, fibroids, heavy bleeding, endometriosis and more.