Next to a cesarean section, a hysterectomy is the second most common surgery in the United States. One in three women in the U.S. undergo a hysterectomy every year for health reasons. This post will answer the questions: what a hysterectomy is? and what are the common reasons that women will undergo a hysterectomy surgery?
Hysterectomy Procedure
Hysterectomy surgery requires the removal of a woman’s uterus. There are three types of hysterectomy surgeries that are performed: partial hysterectomy, total hysterectomy and radical hysterectomy. The most common surgery is the total hysterectomy where the uterus and cervix are both removed. The partial is where only the upper part of the uterus is removed. The radical includes the removal of all female reproductive organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cervix.
Symptoms leading to a Hysterectomy Procedure
A hysterectomy surgery will be performed for a variety of reasons. The main reasons according to the US Department of Health and Human Services are:
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine prolapse
- Cancer
- Endometriosis
- Persistent bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain
Hysterectomy Information
Although a hysterectomy may be one of the solutions that a doctor may suggest, it is not always the only solution, except in cancer cases.
Some signs that you are having serious issues usually include abnormal pain and/or excessive bleeding. Please consult a physician if you are experiencing either of these.