What is a hysterectomy?
If you’ve been advised you need a hysterectomy but are unsure exactly what this involves, this useful guide from Mr Ian Chilcott may answer your queries and address any concerns.
What is a hysterectomy?
If you need a hysterectomy, this will involve surgery which will entirely remove your uterus (womb). This means you won’t have any more periods or have the ability to carry a baby or get pregnant following your operation.
It’s more common for women aged over 40 to have hysterectomies and they are recommended treatments for people with problems impacting on the reproductive system. This can include:
– Long term chronic pelvic pain
– Very heavy periods
– Fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumours
– Cancers, including ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer or fallopian tube cancer
What does the hysterectomy operation entail?
Any hysterectomy will only take place after other less severe treatments have failed, as this major operation does require a prolonged period of recovery.
You may also need to make the decision about whether your ovaries or cervix should be removed at the same time.
A hysterectomy operation is a complex procedure, check out our hysterectomy treatment page for more information.
The different types of hysterectomy include:
– Total hysterectomy, which is where the entire uterus and neck of the womb (cervix) are removed.
– Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-cophorectomy involve the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, and ovaries.
– Subtotal hysterectomy, which entails removal of most of the uterus but the cervix will remain.
– Radical hysterectomy, where the uterus and surrounding tissues like the fallopian tubes, ovaries and part of the vagina are removed.
Methods used for hysterectomies include keyhole surgery, vaginal surgery which entails a cut through the top of the vagina, and abdominal surgery, where the uterus is removed by surgery of the lower stomach.
Ian Chilcott is a gynaecologist and obstetrician based at the Hillingdon Hospital. He offers compassionate and tailored care to women preferring to opt for private treatments from his practice based at the Portland Hospital. He is a recognised expert in the field of laparoscopic hysterectomy, due to specialist skills in keyhole surgery. If you’ve been advised you need a hysterectomy and want to discuss all your options with one of the foremost authorities in the UK, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
