Heavy periods is usually treated with medicines. But if the symptoms are not settling with medicines then the sole definitive treatment is hysterectomy (i.e. surgical removal of the uterus)

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Fibroids are removed by a surgical operation known as Myomectomy. Myomectomy is mostly suggested for women who are planning for pregnancies in the future. However, because the uterus is preserved after myomectomy, there are possibilities that fibroids might regrow or the symptoms might recur before the woman reaches menopause. Hysterectomy offers a definitive treatment option for problematic fibroids for women who have already completed family and not planning for pregnancy anymore.

Know more about fibroids and its treatment options

Our doctor would be happy to outline the possible treatment choices and facilitate to seek out the simplest alternative for you.

Different ways of hysterectomy

There are various ways to perform a hysterectomy. The selection of approach depends on diagnosis, pathology, prior pelvic surgeries, size of the uterus, and also the preference and expertise of the surgeon.

• Abdominal (Open) hysterectomy - It's the foremost invasive variety of hysterectomy. It involves an oversized incision within the abdominal wall, i.e. laparotomy. The incision could also be either horizontal - the “bikini incision” - or vertical from just below the umbilicus (belly button) right down to the level of pubic bone. The operation is followed by a hospital stay of 4-5 days. Complete recovery takes around six weeks.
• Vaginal hysterectomy - Hysterectomy is performed through the vagina. An incision is made within the upper vagina and also the uterus is pulled down and removed from down below. The vagina is then sutured from below and there's no scar in the abdomen. This procedure is most acceptable for women who have delivered kids vaginally and have significant uterine prolapse, which occurs as a result of the ligaments that supports the uterus become weak and the uterus descends into vagina. Also, there should be no alternative significant pelvic pathology because the surgeon wouldn't be able to totally assess the pelvis from the tiny incision within the vagina.
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy - The uterus is removed entirely using the keyhole technique and also the incision at the vagina is closed from above. There's no vaginal surgery with this method.

The laparoscopic approach permits an operation that might have been done with open abdominal surgery.

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery could be a less traumatic method of removing the uterus. Compared to open abdominal procedures, it's associated with a dramatic decrease in pain, less scarring and quicker recovery. Patient will typically get up and move around on the primary day after the hysterectomy. The hospital stay is usually one to three days only and also the patient will typically come back to her traditional activities in a span of about 2 to 3 weeks. This is often a speedy post operative recovery compared to open abdominal hysterectomy, where complete recovery would take up to six weeks.

Another advantage is reduced risk of infection, as a result of minimal tissue handling in comparison with open surgery.

In summary, a laparoscopic hysterectomy offers you the advantages of:

• less pain
• less scarring
• faster recovery
• shorter hospital stay
• earlier return to work and normal activity

In comparison to vaginal hysterectomy, the newest camera technology permits laparoscopic surgeons to possess an correct view of all pelvic organs, and thus have higher control of bleeding and perform a really precise surgery during laparoscopic hysterectomy. This can be significantly necessary for women who have had previous abdominal surgery, Caesarean sections, pelvic infection or some gynecological procedures.

Is it safe?

Studies have shown that in experienced hands, the chance of major complications with laparoscopic hysterectomy is similar to an abdominal open hysterectomy. These risks include those associated with anaesthesia, bleeding and also the need for transfusion, infection and damage to surrounding organs.

When discussing a surgery, our doctor can continually undergo with you the surgical risks in specific to your general health and gynecological conditions.

What happens before the surgery?

You will have the opportunities to discuss any queries with our doctor before the surgery. You may need to sign a consent form, have some routine blood test and be told about what to eat the days before surgery. You may also receive medication to assist cleanse the bowel.

How long is recovery?

TThe average stay in hospital after a laparoscopic hysterectomy is 1-3 days. Most patients can get out of the bed and move round the day following the surgery and are eating and drinking usually at intervals this period. This contrasts with open abdominal hysterectomy wherever the usual stay is 6-7 days and normal eating/drinking patterns will take 2-3 days.

The average return to work and normal activities is at intervals roughly 2-3 weeks, compared to six weeks when an open abdominal surgery.

Our doctor can answer any of those queries throughout postoperative visits within the hospital and later at the follow-up visits within the clinic..

You will have the opportunities to discuss any queries with our doctor before the surgery. You may need to sign a consent form, have some routine blood test and be told about what to eat the day before surgery. You may also receive medication to assist cleanse the bowel.

The average stay in hospital after a laparoscopic hysterectomy is 1-3 days. Most patients can get out of the bed and move around the day following the surgery and can eat and drink usually at intervals in post operative period. This contrasts with open abdominal hysterectomy where the usual stay is 6-7 days and normal eating/drinking patterns will take about 2 days.

The average return to work and normal activities is at intervals roughly around 2-3 weeks, compared to six weeks in case of open abdominal surgery.

Your vagina is preserved thus you'll be able to maintain your usual sex life after a hysterectomy. In fact, many ladies experience better sex lives after having their uterus removed. This is because uncomfortable symptoms are cured, there's no additional inconvenience of menstrual bleeding and also the couple doesn't need to practice contraception or worry regarding unplanned pregnancy. Indeed, many of our patients are happy to express that they have become a new happy woman after the hysterectomy!

We do advise a rest of 6 weeks before resuming sexual intercourse after a hysterectomy. Our doctor can discuss this with you.

Uterus doesn't secret hormone. Its main function is to hold pregnancy and if pregnancy doesn't happen uterine lining sheds in the form of menstrual flow. Ovaries are the reproductive organs that secrete female hormones.

If the ovaries are preserved throughout a hysterectomy, your female hormone cycles can continue till you reach the natural menopause. This avoids undesirable menopausal symptoms and reduces the necessity of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The hormones secreted from the preserved ovaries can still defend your bones and prevent early onset of post menopausal symptoms like hot flushes.

The current normal practice is to preserve the normal ovaries throughout a hysterectomy. Exceptions are when the ovaries are diseased, there's a strong family history of ovarian cancer or when the woman’s symptoms are related to her female hormonal cycle.

In alternative words, a extirpation doesn't cause menopause unless the ovaries are removed at the same time. It doesn't speed up the ageing process.