Hysterectomy (Womb Removal)

A hysterectomy may be needed if you have:

• Cancer of the uterus, ovary, cervix or endometrium
• Fibroids – Non-cancerous tumours in the wall of your uterus
• Endometriosis – The tissue that lines the uterus grows outside your uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes or other organs
• Prolapse of the uterus – Your uterus drops from its usual position down into your vagina
• Adenomyosis – The tissue that lines the uterus grows in the muscle walls of your uterus
• Chronic uterine pain
• Severe abnormal vaginal bleeding

Very rarely, a hysterectomy is done to control bleeding during a caesarean delivery following rare pregnancy complications. While there are other methods to control bleeding, a hysterectomy may be necessary to save the lives of some women.

Depending on the reason for the hysterectomy, it may be performed through a cut in the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy) or through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy).

Abdominal hysterectomy is usually done if the uterus is enlarged from a fibroid or tumour, while a vaginal hysterectomy is usually done to treat a prolapsed uterus. Occasionally it can be done laparoscopically, as a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or a ‘keyhole’ surgery.

Depending on the reason for surgery, the ovaries and fallopian tubes may be removed together with the uterus and cervix. A hysterectomy is usually done only when all other treatments have been tried with little or no improvement to the health of the patient.

Recovery period for a hysterectomy

After your hysterectomy, you may spend a few days in the hospital to fully recover. The number of days you will have to stay in the hospital depends on the type of hysterectomy you underwent. In the hospital, you will be given medicines and will be asked to walk around as soon as you can to prevent blood clots.

For the first few days after your surgery, it is normal to experience some amount of pain and inconvenience. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help relieve your pain. You will experience bleeding and vaginal discharge for several weeks. Thus, make sure to prepare a stock of sanitary pads at home. Some women may experience constipation, while others have difficulties emptying the bladder. Some women may also experience emotional stress during the recovery period.

Risks of a hysterectomy

Like other surgical procedures, there are associated risks and side effects with a hysterectomy. These are rare but may occur in the first 30 days after the procedure, and may include:

• Fever
• Infection
• Heavy bleeding which may require blood transfusion
• Damage to surrounding areas (urinary tract, blood vessels, nerves)
• Constipation
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Side effects related to anaesthesia like breathing or heart-related problems
• Pelvic prolapse

After a hysterectomy, women who have not yet reached menopause will no longer experience menstruation and will no longer be able to conceive. When an ovary is removed, your oestrogen levels will decrease, which may lead to early symptoms of menopause.

At Parkway East Hospital, we provide comprehensive services for the diagnosis and management of women’s health conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, cancer and uterine prolapse. After all other treatments have been attempted, hysterectomy or removal of the uterus may be necessary to treat such conditions.

Hysterectomy is one of the medical procedures that you can avail at Parkway East Hospital. Our team of doctors and medical staff with years of experience in doing womb removal surgery will ensure your safety and well-being. Our specialists are trained to carry out abdominal hysterectomy and vaginal hysterectomy. To complement their expertise, the medical team is equipped with technology and equipment for hysterectomy.

Our medical team will also assist you at each step of the process towards hysterectomy recovery and management of your condition.

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