The National Institutes of Health has the following description of the different areas of the reproductive system that can be removed during a hysterectomy.
During a hysterectomy, the uterus may be completely or partially removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may also be removed. A partial (or supracervical) hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.
A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium), and the upper part of the vagina.
A hysterectomy may be done through an abdominal incision (abdominal hysterectomy), a vaginal incision (vaginal hysterectomy), or through laparoscopic incisions (small incisions on the abdomen -- laparoscopic hysterectomy).
Which procedure you receive depends upon which condition you have ... The NIH says the procedures may be performed for the following reasons:
Tumors in the uterus like uterine fibroids or endometrial cancer
Cancer of the cervix or severe cervical dysplasia (a precancerous condition of the cervix)
Cancer of the ovary
Endometriosis, in those cases in which the pain is severe and not responsive to non-surgical treatments
Severe, long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding that cannot be controlled by medications
Prolapse of the uterus
Complications during childbirth (like uncontrollable bleeding)
Based on what a woman is experiencing, a physician will help you decide which type of hysterectomy is most appropriate for you, depending on your medical history and the reason for your surgery.
You may also find out more about the procedure by watching video or listening to audio including: Hysterectomy and vulvodynia
Have you been told you need the procedure? Were you presented with alternatives? If so, can you share with us which alternatives were suggested?
by Tina T Posted: Wed., May 14, 2008, 08:21 pm
Tubal ligation vs hysterectomy
Another procedure is the tubal ligation, which my OB elected over a hysterectomy so that I would have some semblance of normalcy - whatever that was supposed to mean. It meant that I still had menstrual cycles, but would not become pregnant. This procedure was to ameliorate a lot of issues I had during child bearing and really horrid monthly cycles. Well, the horrid cycles remained, even worsened. But, another surgery (I already had 2 C-sections) was out of the question. Frankly, I was happy when menopause finally hit.
One of my younger sisters had a partial hysterectomy following a serious infection in her uterus. Sadly, she would never be able to bear children.
Whatever the procedure and for whatever reason, it's a difficult decision to make and life changing on a very emotional, as well as physical, level. There is even a little-known condition called Post Tubal Ligation, which is what I had.
Visit http://hersfoundation.org/ to watch the HERS Foundation's "Female Anatomy" video and empower yourself with information about what women consistently report after hysterectomy.
It's your right to know,
HERS
by Posted: Fri., May 16, 2008, 04:05 am
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Hysterectomies
The National Institutes of Health has the following description of the different areas of the reproductive system that can be removed during a hysterectomy.
During a hysterectomy, the uterus may be completely or partially removed. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may also be removed. A partial (or supracervical) hysterectomy is removal of just the upper portion of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.
A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. A radical hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium), and the upper part of the vagina.
A hysterectomy may be done through an abdominal incision (abdominal hysterectomy), a vaginal incision (vaginal hysterectomy), or through laparoscopic incisions (small incisions on the abdomen -- laparoscopic hysterectomy).
Which procedure you receive depends upon which condition you have ... The NIH says the procedures may be performed for the following reasons:
Tumors in the uterus like uterine fibroids or endometrial cancer
Cancer of the cervix or severe cervical dysplasia (a precancerous condition of the cervix)
Cancer of the ovary
Endometriosis, in those cases in which the pain is severe and not responsive to non-surgical treatments
Severe, long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding that cannot be controlled by medications
Prolapse of the uterus
Complications during childbirth (like uncontrollable bleeding)
Based on what a woman is experiencing, a physician will help you decide which type of hysterectomy is most appropriate for you, depending on your medical history and the reason for your surgery.
You may also find out more about the procedure by watching video or listening to audio including: Hysterectomy and vulvodynia
Hysterectomy Tips and
My Doctor Told Me To Take Controversial Premarin After My Hysterectomy
Have you been told you need the procedure? Were you presented with alternatives? If so, can you share with us which alternatives were suggested?
Posted: Wed., May 14, 2008, 08:21 pm
Tubal ligation vs hysterectomy
Another procedure is the tubal ligation, which my OB elected over a hysterectomy so that I would have some semblance of normalcy - whatever that was supposed to mean. It meant that I still had menstrual cycles, but would not become pregnant. This procedure was to ameliorate a lot of issues I had during child bearing and really horrid monthly cycles. Well, the horrid cycles remained, even worsened. But, another surgery (I already had 2 C-sections) was out of the question. Frankly, I was happy when menopause finally hit.
One of my younger sisters had a partial hysterectomy following a serious infection in her uterus. Sadly, she would never be able to bear children.
Whatever the procedure and for whatever reason, it's a difficult decision to make and life changing on a very emotional, as well as physical, level. There is even a little-known condition called Post Tubal Ligation, which is what I had.
http://www.tubal-reversal.net/post_tubal...
Posted: Wed., May 14, 2008, 08:42 pm
Your right to know...
Visit http://hersfoundation.org/ to watch the HERS Foundation's "Female Anatomy" video and empower yourself with information about what women consistently report after hysterectomy.
It's your right to know,
HERS
Posted: Fri., May 16, 2008, 04:05 am
Post new comment here