Hysterectomy is a standard procedure in the United States, with over half a million women seeking a partial or total hysterectomy every year. Hysterectomy experts like David Farouk MD, recommend treating patients with a gynecological condition that cannot be resolved other than surgical removal. The treatment is done when it is only the right option for your health and wellbeing. It can be done as a total procedure where the entire uterus is removed, partial, where only the upper part of the uterus is removed while preserving the cervix. Here are some reasons for the treatment.
1. To Remove Fibroids
Hysterectomy can be employed to remove uterine fibroids. These benign growths develop on your uterine wall and vary in size and quantity. In most cases, a hysterectomy is employed when the fibroids have grown big, causing severe symptoms like heavy and painful periods resulting in anemia. The growths can hurt your fertility and cause severe bleeding even away from your periods. Therefore, your doctor can surgically remove the growths to protect your fertility and improve the quality of your life.
2. Part of Cancer Treatment
Sometimes a hysterectomy can be part of a cancer treatment regime. When diagnosed with uterine cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer, your doctor can recommend a hysterectomy to remove the affected reproductive part. It can aim to remove the cancerous cells or improve the effectiveness of other treatments.
3. To Treat Endometriosis
When the uterine tissue develops and grows outside the uterus, it causes painful and severe symptoms that could be elevated through a hysterectomy. The tissue can grow in your fallopian tubes, ovaries, or the area between your rectum and vagina. Endometriosis can cause inflammation, bowel issues, scar tissue, lesion, pain, and infertility if not adequately managed.
4. To Control Abnormal Bleeding
Several factors can cause abnormal bleeding. In most cases, underlying medical conditions like fibroids, infection, cancer, endometriosis, sexual abuse, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary disease, and changes in hormone levels are responsible. Although some conditions can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medications, sometimes a hysterectomy becomes the best option to solve the abnormal bleeding.
5. To Manage Uterine Prolapse
Your uterus can sag or slip out of its normal position and cause severe effects. Sometimes it can drop through the vagina, causing a bulge or a lump. Your doctor can either recommend a uterine suspension or a hysterectomy. The uterine suspension puts the uterus in place using a sling-like apparatus.
6. To Treat Adenomyosis
If you experience severe menstrual cramping, heavy periods, bloating, and lower abdominal pressure, it could be due to adenomyosis which affects the inner lining of your uterus. Although the situation is not life-threatening, it can significantly lower the quality of your life, but your doctor can recommend a hysterectomy to improve your life.
7. To Remove Polyps
Polyps develop on the lining of your uterus and can cause irregular bleeding. In most cases, polyps are removed through dilation and curettage, but they can become too large. Although they are not often cancerous, your doctor can recommend a hysterectomy to remove larger polyps.
Learn more about a hysterectomy at Marion Ob/Gyn Inc. Dr. Foulk will help you learn if the treatment can help alleviate your symptoms. Make a call or book your appointment using the online tool.
Vinicius Ferreira Cavalcanti