Do I Need A Hysterectomy?

Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 16 September 2017

Thousands of Indian women undergo hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus, every year, even though most of these cases can be avoided. Dr Shital Raval enumerates some surgical and non-surgical options available that should be considered before opting for hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy is a surgery that entails partial or complete removal of the uterus in women. In America alone, more than half a million women have a hysterectomy every year. Is it a necessary surgical option? Or are there alternatives that you can condider for various medical conditions?

Some claim that 90% of the hysterectomies are unnecessary and can be avoided. In certain cases, especially cancer, elective hysterectomy is recommended and essential. Hysterectomy can be total (removal of entire uterus and cervix) or partial (ovaries and cervix are left whole). If the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed, it is referred to as Bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy or BSO.

When is hysterectomy necessary?

When is hysterectomy necessary only as a final option?

  • Uterine fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Uterine prolapse
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Adenomysosis (abnormal endometrium growth)
  • Uterine polyps

In many of these cases, hysterectomy can be avoided and other alternatives should be offered to the patient. Non-surgical options are available and should be considered before opting for hysterectomy. This also helps preserve fertility and prevents complications related to a hysterectomy like early menopause, difficulty in urinating and weakened pelvic muscles.

Be sure to check with your doctor and get a second opinion as a hysterectomy is a permanent procedure. With advancement of medical research, there are increasing number of options now. So spend time to evaluate the options before making any final decisions.

Alternative treatment options for various conditions:

CONDITION TREATMENT CHOICES

Uterine Fibroids
  1. Medication
  2. Myomectomy(removal of fibroids only)
  3. Uterine artery embolization (shrinking of fibroids by cutting off blood supply)

Endometriosis
  1. Hormonal contraceptives pills
  2. Endoscopic removal of scar tissue followed by medication

Uterine Prolapse
  1. Pessary (device to hold uterus in place)
  2. Surgical suspension of uterus
  3. Pelvic floor exercises
  4. Weight loss
  5. Avoiding heavy lifting

Vaginal bleeding
  1. IUD insertion
  2. Birth control pills
  3. Weight loss in overweight patients
  4. Exercises
  5. Endometrial ablation

Adenomysosis
  1. Pain medication
  2. Birth control pills
  3. IUD insertion
  4. Uterine artery embolization

Polyps
  1. Surgical removal
  2. D&C with hysterectoscopy

 

So take the time to understand the options available to you and seek a second opinion if need be. 

#BeAware #BeEmpowered

 

Community
Women's Health and Pregnancy
Condition
Endometriosis
Menopause
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Tract Infection
Uterine Fibroids

Stories

  • CKD and women's health issues
    Women’s Health Issues for Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
    Dr Raka Kaushal, a senior nephrologist focused on various women’s issues amongst patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in a webinar with PatientsEngage in English and Hindi. The questions raised from pregnancy complications, to hair loss, abnormal periods, menopause, oral contraceptives and more.  Here is a synopsis of the key questions addressed. Link to recording on youtube below. Each question is marked with the time stamp. 1:43 Are women with CKD more likely to have…
  • What to Eat and Drink To Prevent Painful Bladder Syndrome
    A book on Indian Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (IC), the first of its kind, hopes to serve as an easy-to-understand guide for patients and caregivers to help manage IC or Painful Bladder Syndrome. Here is an interview with the co-author Neelanjana Singh who is a Nutrition Therapist & Wellness Consultant. Your book ‘Indian Diet for Interstitial Cystitis (Eat Healthy and Protect Your Bladder)’ was released last month. Could you tell us a little about it? Interstitial Cystitis (IC), now known…
  • Give Yourself Time To Heal
    Prachi*, 43 from Mumbai, India talks of her journey of pain due to adenomyosis, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, the treatment and complications. Initial symptoms and Diagnosis I’ve always had painful periods since menarche. During school days, my grandmother would apply hot cloth compresses on my back for relief. At times, I would leave it on for long, failing to notice that my skin had become red hot from it. Later on, I came to rely on an electric heating pads and painkillers for…
  • Neema in a pink shirt, white pants and a scarf in an open area walking with support of a cane
    I Had To Live And Fight My Osteosarcoma For My Son
    A diagnosis of Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) when she was 26 years old changed Neema's life forever. She talks of her challenging journey including multiple surgeries, amputation and more and the person who motivated her to fight the cancer. Please tell us a bit about your condition It was November of 1998 when I was just 26 years old. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of my knee. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? I used to work at a Research lab where I…
  • A pathologist with a mask covering his face holding a urine sample bottle
    What Does The Colour Of Your Urine Mean?
    Urinalyis or Urine Tests are often prescribed by doctors to detect certain conditions. Dr. Shital Raval explains what the results of a urine test mean, and the right way to collect a urine sample.   #KnowYourTest Series What is urinalysis? Urinalysis or Urine tests are a group of tests conducted on your urine that a doctor may prescribe. These tests are indicators of acute or chronic conditions or illnesses. It can also help detect insidious infections like urinary tract infections or…
  • Image Description: An elderly person with a walker and supported by a caregiver
    12 Confusing and Overlapping Symptoms in the Elderly
    Symptoms like weight loss, memory loss, weakness, and fatigue should not be mistaken as a sign of the"normal aging" process. Dr. Shital Patel explains 12 common but misleading symptoms in the elderly and why you should seek a doctor's opinion instead of ignoring them.  Symptoms in the elderly can have very different causes than they may have in a young person. Many symptoms in the geriatric population may be masked by concurrent chronic ailments, injuries, age-related physiological…
  • On the left an Indian woman in a pink dress and white scarf who was over weight and on the right a trimmer version woman in a white and yellow top and black pants
    I Walk with Hand-Weights to Lose Weight and Build Health
    Kavita Behl, 53, who was diagnosed with high levels of uric acid causing excruciating pain and swelling in her feet, got back her health with a strict walking regimen and disciplined diet. Her mantra now - Be positive and Keep walking.  My problems started two years back in May 2016. I had developed swelling and pain in both my ankles and feet. The pain was so acute that I was not able to put my feet down. I had to go to a doctor. After a series of tests, I was detected with high levels of…
  • Stock image of a woman rushing to the toilet due to urgent and uncontrollable need to pee
    How To Handle Urinary Incontinence
    Urinary incontinence is a severely under-diagnosed and under-reported problem that increases with age. Dr. Ragini Agarwal Clinical Director-Obstetrics & Gynecology Minimal Access Surgery & Cosmetic Gynecologist of W Pratiksha Hospital Gurgaon answers common questions on management and treatment options Do you leak while sneezing laughing or coughing? Is your marital life affected? Have you started avoiding social gatherings? Urinary incontinence is a severely under-diagnosed and under…
  • A woman in a grey top and red pant clutching her stomach in pain
    Endometriosis And The Risk of Normalising Menstrual Pain
    Menstual pain or period pain is often considered normal, even when it is severe. This Menstrual Hygiene Day, PatientsEngage highlights the misdiagnosis of endometriosis and what women can do to detect the condition in its early phases. Women all over the world, have experienced menstrual pain at some point of their monthly cycles. Menstrual pain, usually begins a couple of days before the period date, and sometimes continues for two days after it. Women generally experience cramps in their…
  • A panel with a green ribbon and text saying Are women more at risk of kidney disease
    Women More at Risk for Kidney Diseases than Men
    On World Kidney Day, Dr Jayesh Lele, earlier National Secretary, Indian Medical Association, helps us understand why women are more likely to have an increased risk of kidney diseases than men. The theme for World Kidney Day 2018 is  ‘Kidneys & Women's Health: Include, Value, Empower’. It aptly highlights the importance of women’s kidneys health and the need to create awareness amongst women as well as give them equal access to healthcare all over the country. Researchers have shown…

Latest Stories

Booklet