Last Updated on December 6, 2022 by Dr. Shikha Shiromani
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus. When uterus is removed, the woman does no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant.
Are the ovaries also removed during hysterectomy?
Not necessarily. In most cases, the ovaries are removed during the uterus removal surgery. However, if a woman’s ovaries are not removed during surgery before her menopause, the ovaries might still make hormones and eggs until the woman reaches menopause naturally. If the ovaries are removed at the time of hysterectomy but the woman didn’t reach menopause, she’ll have menopause immediately after surgery. You might experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
How serious is uterus removal surgery?
Uterus Removal Surgery or Hysterectomy is major surgery. One might need hospitalization for five days after surgery. Also, it might take around 6 to 8 weeks to recover fully. Recovery times can also vary depending on the type of hysterectomy.
Generally, the surgery is very safe, but with any major surgery comes the risk of complications. Risks associated with an abdominal hysterectomy include blood clots, infection, etc. The long-term effects of a hysterectomy are variable. Sometimes, a uterus removal surgery can also affect the skin and hair.
As per a study published in The Ochsner Journal, “major intraoperative complication rate was 3.9%, and the major postoperative complication rate was 4.7%”, referring to a good success rate of the operation.
Can you avoid uterus removal surgery?
The doctor recommends uterus removal or hysterectomy if you are suffering from a disease or condition like cancer. However, it is also done to improve a woman’s life. If the only treatment option is a hysterectomy, you must not avoid it.
In some instances, other procedures after proper evaluation can be done to treat the condition. The alternatives as per the condition include polypectomy (a procedure to remove a polyp), myomectomy (a procedure to remove fibroids), or endometrial ablation to avoid hysterectomy. Furthermore, endometriosis can be treated with oral contraceptives, laparoscopy, and laparotomy, and abnormal bleeding can be treated as per the causative agent, such as infection, cancer, etc.
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