Uterus Removal Surgery or hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus in women. The uterus also called the womb is the place where the baby develops when a woman is pregnant. The source of menstrual blood is the uterine lining. During this procedure the uterus as a whole or a partial section is removed, in addition to the uterus, other organs such as the fallopian tube, ovaries, vagina, and cervix may also have to be removed as per the physician’s discretion. The extent of this procedure depends on the health condition for which this surgery is performed.
When Is It
Necessary?
Uterus or womb is an essential part of the female reproductive system; however, it is also an organ that is susceptible to a number of diseases or anomalies. Uterus removal surgery is the last option available to a patient and is suggested by physicians only when medications or non-surgical methods fail to prevent the progress of a disease or alleviate the patient’s condition. Surgical removal of the uterus may become necessary in the following cases:
1. Fibroids
These are abnormal growths that can develop on the uterus during a women’s childbearing age. These growths are typically non-cancerous and its cause is unknown. Fibroids are more likely to appear in women with a family history of fibroids, obesity, pregnancy, and those that had an early onset of puberty.
Symptoms
- Heavy bleeding during periods with the formation of blood clots
- Aching pelvis or lower back
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Frequent urinating
- Enlargement or swelling of the abdomen
- Fullness or heaviness on the lower abdomen
- Menstruation lasting for a longer duration
2. Endometriosis
The endometrium is a tissue present along the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis is a disorder in which this tissue grows outside the uterus. When endometrium grows on ovaries, tissue lining of the pelvis, and bowel it is called an endometrial implant. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect these tissues and cause the area to become painful and inflamed. With the passage of time, this tissue will grow, thicken, and break down, having no place to go it will get trapped in the pelvis. Women susceptible to endometriosis include those who have had a family history of endometriosis, never had a pregnancy, and those who had irregular periods.
Symptoms
- Severe pain during periods
- Experiencing cramps a week or two after menstrual cycle
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Infertility
- Severe pain during sexual intercourse
- Painful bowel movements
- Experiencing lower back pain during
3. Prolapsed Uterus
The medical condition in which the uterus descends towards or into the vagina is called a prolapsed uterus. The uterus is typically held in its position by various muscles of the pelvis, tissue, and ligaments but sometimes ligaments and the pelvic floor muscles become too weak to support the uterus, this causes it to slip down or protrude from the vagina and thus termed prolapsed uterus. Women who are at high risk due to this condition are usually those who have advanced age, obese, had complicated childbirth through the vagina, have the habit of smoking, underwent major surgery in the pelvic area, and those who have experienced weakening after menopause.
Symptom
- Pelvic heaviness or pulling
- Increase in vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Lower back pain
- Tissue protruding from the vagina
- Constant urge to urinate or finding it hard to control bladder
- Discomfort experienced when walking
4. Cancer of Uterus
Cancer growing in the uterus develops on a special tissue lining the uterus called endometrium thus the cancer of the uterus is also called endometrial cancer. Most types of cancer of the uterus is endometrial cancer. When neglected this disease spreads to different organs such as the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries, etc. The only saving grace of this disease is that the rate at which it spreads is very slow and thus could be found out during regular check-ups before greater harm can be done. Women who had an early period, experienced late menopause, are obese, have diabetes or blood pressure, had a family history of having cancer are more susceptible to this disease.
Symptoms
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Painful to pass urine
- Enlarged uterus
- Sudden weight loss
- Pain and weakness in the lower abdomen, legs, or
back
5. Adenomyosis
The medical condition in which the normal uterine lining known as endometrial tissue grows and thickens into a muscular wall of the uterus is called adenomyosis. This condition is considered non-threatening however is very painful and causes heavy bleeding. Although the cause of the disease is unknown it usually gets resolved after menopause.
Symptoms
- Heavy bleeding
- Discomfort in back and legs
- Pressure on pelvic
- Abdominal bloating
- Menstrual cramps
Uterus removal surgery or Hysterectomy surgery is only suggested when all medication treatment procedures fail to produce necessary results. Once the uterus is removed it completely negates any possibility for the women to conceive or get pregnant. It is the last option available and is not performed for women of childbearing age unless essential.
