Is a hysterectomy worth it?

Hysterectomy is one treatment for many diseases and conditions. A hysterectomy may save your life if: • you have cancer of the uterus or ovaries, or • your uterus is bleeding fast and it can't be stopped. In most other cases, a hysterectomy is done to improve a woman's life. But, it is not needed to save her life.

What is the downside to having a hysterectomy?

For many women, the biggest drawback to a hysterectomy is loss of fertility. Once you have a hysterectomy, you cannot conceive, and for many women of childbearing age, this is a significant loss. Women who feel pushed into a hysterectomy may also have a negative reaction to it.

Is life better after a hysterectomy?

Who shows the greatest improvement after the surgery? In one study, persons with endometriosis, fibroids and abnormal bleeding who had not improved with other treatment options, and who had a hysterectomy, scored higher on quality of life surveys 6 months and 10 years after the hysterectomy.

Are there any benefits to having a hysterectomy?

Benefits of hysterectomy

A hysterectomy can improve your quality of life. For people living with fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, or abnormal periods, a hysterectomy can help reduce or eliminate chronic pain. It can also help avoid unexpected and heavy bleeding.

Why do doctors not want to do hysterectomy?

In interviews with people seeking hysterectomies, doctors justify their refusal to their patients using a mix of these motherhood assumptions as well as more “medically-sounding” reasons: it's too invasive, too extreme, too risky, etc.

What To Know Before You Get A Hysterectomy

What is the average age for hysterectomy?

You'll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation. If you have not already gone through the menopause, you'll no longer have periods, regardless of your age. Many women have a hysterectomy. It's more common for women aged 40 to 50.

Does having a hysterectomy age you faster?

Having a hysterectomy is a big change for your body. Depending on where you are in your menopause journey, this type of procedure can cause hormonal changes resulting in different side effects. A hysterectomy by itself usually doesn't affect your hormones and aging as much.

Will I lose weight after a hysterectomy?

Weight loss isn't a side effect of a hysterectomy. Some people experience a few days of nausea following a major surgery. This can be a result of pain or a side effect of the anesthesia. For some, this can make it hard to keep food down, resulting in temporary weight loss.

Do you gain weight after a hysterectomy?

It's a fairly prevalent post-op side effect, even in the absence of adjustments to diet or physical activity level. A Journal of Women's Health study concluded that there is indeed a greater chance of weight gain after a hysterectomy, especially in the first year.

Does your body change after hysterectomy?

You may experience various long-term changes after hysterectomy as well. These can include symptoms of menopause (if your ovaries were also removed) and changes in mood or sex drive. Rare complications that may necessitate future surgeries can also occur.

Can a man feel when a woman has had a hysterectomy?

Some husbands worry their wives may feel different or no longer express interest in them. The reality is that sex after hysterectomy for the man may feel surprisingly similar. In all procedures, the surgeon takes steps to maintain vaginal functionality.

What happens to the empty space after a hysterectomy?

After you have a hysterectomy, your other organs move to fill the space. Your small and large intestines mainly fill the space once occupied by the uterus.

Does your stomach shrink after a hysterectomy?

Internal lower abdominal and pelvic swelling can take a number of months to subside after a hysterectomy. Abdominal hysterectomy and abdominal incisions can cause the deep abdominal muscles to stop working. When these muscles stop working, this can make your belly look floppy and larger in size.

Do your hips widen after hysterectomy?

The uterine ligaments are the pelvis' support structures so the torso collapses after those ligaments are cut to remove the uterus. The hips widen and the spine and rib cage fall. This explains why hysterectomized women have shortened and thickened midsections and no curve in their lower backs.

How many pounds is a uterus?

Uterus = 2 pounds. The uterus is the place inside you where your baby grows.

How long is bed rest after a hysterectomy?

Depending on various procedures, the individual may be advised to rest from two to six weeks, with the first two weeks consisting of bed rest.

What are the signs of needing a hysterectomy?

Will I still get bloated after a hysterectomy?

Answer: Many women, after a hysterectomy, can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptoms.

How do you slow down aging after a hysterectomy?

In turn, hormone therapy can help reduce your risk of age-related health issues common in people with a hysterectomy and ovary removal, including bone loss and osteoporosis. Some people may be able to take hormone therapy short term.

Do you need a Pap smear after a hysterectomy?

Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a routine screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer. If you had a partial hysterectomy — when the uterus is removed but the lower end of the uterus (cervix) remains — your doctor will likely recommend continued Pap tests.

Should I keep my ovaries during hysterectomy?

The main reason doctors recommend removing the ovaries during hysterectomy is to lower the risk of ovarian cancer. Studies show that if you are at high risk, surgery greatly lowers your risk. If you aren't at high risk for cancer, having your ovaries removed isn't recommended.

Can you get a tummy tuck during a hysterectomy?

With the cooperation of your gynecologist, an abdominoplasty can be performed at the same time as hysterectomy. There is the obvious saving of an anesthesia and recovery period but the costs may not be shared. The procedure must be planned well in advance with each surgeon understanding his area of responsibility.

What happens if you don't take hormones after hysterectomy?

When your ovaries are removed (oophorectomy) during a hysterectomy, your estrogen levels drop. Estrogen therapy (ET) replaces some or all of the estrogen that your ovaries would be making until menopause. Without estrogen, you are at risk for weak bones later in life, which can lead to osteoporosis.

Does insurance pay for tummy tuck after hysterectomy?

One of the first questions that many of our patients ask is, “Can a tummy tuck be covered by insurance?” The answer to this question is both yes and no. In many cases, a tummy tuck is merely a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance plans will not cover this.