Hysterectomy

There are many reasons a woman may need a hysterectomy. Approximately one-third of the more than half-million hysterectomies performed in the United States each year are due to uterine fibroids alone.

A hysterectomy is surgery to remove a woman’s uterus. It may be done through an incision (cut) in either the abdomen (belly) or the vagina. In a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed in an open surgical procedure. This operation is considered major surgery and is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. It requires three to four days of hospitalization and the average recovery period is about six weeks. Some women are candidates for a minimally invasive procedure. The recovery time for this procedure is considerably shorter.

Hysterectomy is the most common current therapy for women who have such things as uterine fibroids. It typically is performed in women who have completed their childbearing years or who understand that after the procedure they cannot become pregnant.

Lastly, there may be ways to treat your condition that do not require this major surgery. Your condition may be helped with less invasive surgery. Talk with your doctor about your treatment options.