What is Hysterectomy?

Have you or anyone you know been advised by a doctor to undergo a hysterectomy? Hysterectomy comes from two Greek words: hystera which means womb and ektomia which means to cut off. It is a surgical procedure performed by an Ob-Gyn to remove the uterus. The uterus is where fetal development takes place. A hysterectomy is performed to treat problems with the uterus and entire reproductive system. According to the latest census, 10% of hysterectomies are due to cancer. Doctors may suggest alternative treatments depending on the case but if they do not work, the next option may be hysterectomy.

There are three types of Hysterectomies:

1. Complete or total hysterectomy – this is the most common where not only the uterus is removed but the cervix as well.
2. Partial or subtotal – where only the upper part of the uterus is removed.
3. Radical – where uterus, cervix, upper part of the vagina and supporting tissues are removed.

Hysterectomy can be a difficult topic for women who are still planning to have children, but this treatment also has other benefits. Aside from treating the patient with reproductive disease, it also lowers the risks of having breast cancer especially if it runs in your family. In the United States, hysterectomy is the second most common surgery in women. Almost 600,000 or one in every three women have undergone hysterectomy by the age of 60. Although it is a common procedure, there are still many women who have little or no idea about it. Advances in technology have also allowed for more convenient and less painful procedures for this treatment. The recovery period is also shorter, unlike in the past, with some women taking up to 8 months for full recovery.