Hysterectomy, i.e. the process of surgical removal of the uterus, is one of the most common surgeries in women. Sometimes it can be the last resort for a serious illness, and sometimes a personal decision. It is very important to understand under which circumstances this surgery may be necessary and what effect it has on the body and mental health.

Based on the information received from Dr. Mansa GV, Associate Consultant (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Manipal Hospital, Goa, important information related to hysterectomy is being shared in this article.

When may hysterectomy be necessary?

Doctors recommend removal of uterus in certain health conditions, which include the following:

1. Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids formed in the walls of the uterus can cause excessive bleeding, lower abdominal pain and heaviness during menstruation. When medications or other non-surgical measures do not provide relief, a hysterectomy may become an option.

2. Endometriosis
In this condition, cells of the inner lining of the uterus begin to grow outside it, causing problems such as severe pain, irregular menstruation and infertility. When other treatments are not effective, a hysterectomy is suggested.

3. Uterine Prolapse
When the uterus slips down due to weak muscles and comes inside the vagina, it is called uterine prolapse. This can cause discomfort, urinary problems and difficulty in sexual intercourse. When other treatments fail, removal of the uterus may be required.

4. Gynaecological Cancer
If a woman has cancer of the uterus, cervix or ovary, hysterectomy is usually adopted as an important treatment. The complexity of surgery depends on the stage of cancer.

5. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
If a woman has excessive bleeding for a long time and hormonal therapy or other measures are not effective, removal of the uterus may be recommended.

6. Chronic Pelvic Pain
If there is persistent pelvic pain and the cause is an abnormality in the uterus, then hysterectomy can be seen as the last solution.

Types of hysterectomy
This surgery can be of different types, depending on the woman's disease and its severity:

1. Total Hysterectomy
In this procedure, the entire uterus and cervix are removed. It is usually done when other treatments fail.

2. Subtotal Hysterectomy
In this, the upper part of the uterus is removed, but the cervix is ​​retained.

3. Radical Hysterectomy
This procedure is adopted in cases of cancer, in which the uterus, cervix, surrounding tissue and in some cases a part of the vagina is also removed.

4. Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy
This is done when there is cancer or severe endometriosis. In this, along with the uterus, both ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed.

Health effects after hysterectomy

Women may experience a variety of physical and mental effects after hysterectomy, including the following:

1. Effect of menopause
If the ovaries are also removed during surgery, the woman may experience premature menopause. This can cause problems like hot flashes, mood swings and decreased libido. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can prove helpful in this situation.

2. Emotional impact
Many women may feel emotionally uncomfortable after removal of the uterus, especially those who have not yet become mothers. The support of family and friends is very important to reduce mental stress.

3. Hormonal changes
Even if the ovaries are not removed, some hormonal changes may still occur in women. Therefore, it is important to get complete information about this from the doctor.

4. Effect on bone health

Lack of estrogen hormone can increase the risk of bone weakness and osteoporosis. This problem can be controlled by taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

5. Effect on sexual health

Some women may feel improved sexual satisfaction after hysterectomy, especially if they were previously experiencing pain or discomfort. At the same time, some women may experience a decrease in sexual desire.

6. No More Periods

After removing the uterus, women get complete relief from menstruation, which ends the problem of excessive bleeding and period pain.

Conclusion
Hysterectomy can be a significant and life-changing procedure for many women. It is an effective way to relieve serious diseases, but it is important to understand both its advantages and disadvantages. If you are considering this surgery, make the right decision by consulting a qualified doctor.

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