do i need a hysterectomy quiz

' this quiz will help you get clarity about that. But you might need pain medicine for a week or two. Fibroids are common, benign tumors that grow in the muscles of the uterus. But men and women who can't get pregnant have different requirements than those who can get pregnant. As an ob/gyn who wrote a book called The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy, Ill help you understand the issue. Keep a pencil and paper next to your pain medications, and always write . Have I tried all the alternative medical treatments? A good doctor will understand (and even encourage!) QUESTIONS? Last Updated: January 7, 2023 Placenta accreta happens during pregnancy when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall. A prolapsed uterus. But it can damage the uterus if it spreads. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. If you have your ovaries removed as part of the procedure and you havent gone through menopause yet, the surgery could cause you to experience menopause symptoms, such as: Ovary removal also puts you at risk for developing other medical conditions like bone loss, heart disease, and urinary incontinence. X This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. She can also . In addition, an oophorectomy, or surgery to remove the ovaries is often combined with a . If you test positive for the BRCA gene, you dont necessarily need a hysterectomy. 0 Read more . Adoption and surrogacy are two potential options you may consider. A hysterectomy is surgery to take out the uterus. Are you experiencing painful, heavy periods? Sometimes, cysts develop on the ovaries. It is the last option chosen by the doctors as well as the patient. A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the whole uterus and cervix. Hysterectomy is a major medical procedure and should always be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Youll talk to an experienced advisor right here in Maine. While bioidentical hormones have not been shown to have the same risks, we are beginning to understand that perhaps there are some risks associated with bioidentical HRT as well, depending on how an individual woman metabolizes estrogen. Removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes, which may or may not be . Robotic? Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Seeking a second opinion, both for the diagnosis of your condition and for available treatment options, is also highly advised. Your doctor should give you a thorough pelvic exam as well as an ultrasound and an MRI, if necessary, to pinpoint what's causing your pain and to help you decide if surgery is an option. If they dont work, a hysterectomy may be an option. That means that even if a hysterectomy is not lifesaving, it may still be a womans best option. [1] Last medically reviewed on January 28, 2022. 3. Based on the options you picked, it seems you are facing a lot of problems. If your doctor finds that your uterus is the source of your pain or bleeding, ask yourself these questions before scheduling a hysterectomy: Are my symptoms seriously affecting my quality of life? This is called a vaginal hysterectomy. Cohen WA, et al. Radical hysterectomy is generally only done when cancer is. Polyps are not often cancerous and can often be removed through the vagina when they are near the opening of the cervix. Only answer "Yes" if this pain limits your day-to-day activities or requires medication. These include ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer; uncontrollable bleeding; severe endometriosis or adenomyosis; and complex hyperplasia, to name a few. Be sure to visit Part 2 and Part 3, too! Depending upon the underlying condition and whether it can be controlled with medication or lifestyle changes, your physician may recommend a hysterectomy to prevent excessive blood loss each month. Some people experience a loss of interest in sex or become depressed after a hysterectomy. Maybe that's what youre thinking would stop you from having such heavy, painful periods. Hysterectomy surgery. This procedure leaves the ovaries intact, and should not induce menopause. Talk with your doctor if you think you might benefit from having a hysterectomy. When it comes to a lot of the negative side effects, the progesterone is really the culprit in many of them. Many women in this second group find sufficient relief from their symptoms once their hormonal balance is restored through a program of natural support. When found early, PID can usually be treated with antibiotics. They may decide to only remove the uterus or to remove the uterus and ovaries. Experts note that you should take your time when deciding whether or not to have a hysterectomy, since it's a big decision with lasting consequences. The surgery can completely relieve many painful pelvic conditions, but it's not the answer for everyone. Many women who enter menopause as a result of hysterectomy face years of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to restore their hormonal balance. Hysterectomy is one of the options for treating adenomyosis. The length of time depends on the type of hysterectomy you had. This article has been viewed 59,377 times. There are three types of surgery your doctor may recommend depending on the size. Potential side effects or complications may include: Serious complications are more common in abdominal hysterectomies compared to other, less invasive types. If you do not have cancer or an emergency hemorrhage, and your symptoms are mild to moderate, rather than severe or devastating, consider adopting a wait and see approach. A large percentage of hysterectomies are performed to relieve fibroids, endometriosis or other conditions related to hormonal imbalance. A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove your uterus. A pessary device may cause you to produce more vaginal secretions. The procedure can be done as a laparoscopic, robotic, or open surgery. Adenomyosis happens when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus. A progesterone IUD can prevent hysterectomies in many patients. There are several conditions for which hysterectomy is advisable or medically necessary. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy if you have cancer of the: Your treatment approach will depend on the type of cancer you have, how advanced it is, and your overall health. The most common reason why hysterectomies are done is because of fibroids in the uterus. Having a hysterectomy is a big decision. To end fibroid pain, this writer decided to get a hysterectomy at age 41. Ultimately, what empowers women is the ability to make a good choicewhether its surgery or notbased on accurate, balanced, and scientific information. During a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon detaches the uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes and upper vagina, as well as from the blood vessels and connective tissue that support it, before removing the uterus. These procedures can be performed abdominally, vaginally, or laparoscopically. Dr. Oz: The #1 Surgery You Don't Need- Hysterectomy Dr. Oz discussed the number one surgery that women often do not need, but all too often they get: hysterectomies. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Other medications can be included to control pain and other symptoms. Her residency was completed at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. If your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy to remove polyps, ask if performing a dilation and curettage may be possible instead. If you decide to have a hysterectomy, a therapist can also help you deal with the emotional and sexual impact of the surgery. My periods are irregular Never Often "In this case, a hysterectomy would not solve the problem.". They can help you understand if and when hysterectomies are covered. Uterine fibroids may cause anemia due to excess blood loss during your period. This condition may be caused by having too much estrogen. That said, one factor in the disproportionate number of young Black women undergoing hysterectomy is that many Black women live in areas where alternatives to the surgery are not offered, and theyre less likely to be informed that they have other options. The USPSTF 2003 and 2012 guidelines recommend not performing . Trustworthy Source These tumors that grow in or around the uterus aren't cancer, but they can cause heavy or painful periods, the need to pee often, constipation, and pain during sex. These cuts are called incisions. Five major categories send someone down the road to this surgery. If you keep thinking and asking yourself, 'Do I need a hysterectomy? Pelvic Inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection that can lead to severe pelvic pain. A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and the cervix. Hysterectomy removes the uterus and the cervix. A vaginal hysterectomy is a procedure that surgeons perform through the vagina to remove the uterus. They may last a long time. There are several conditions for which hysterectomy is advisable or medically necessary. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Sometimes, pelvic pain isn't caused by a problem in the uterus. This is particularly true for Black women, who are half as likely as white women to undergo a minimally invasive hysterectomy, meaning they end up with not only a longer recovery time, but also increased risk of surgical complications. We have other quizzes matching your interest. Our quiz will assess your specific symptoms and the underlying causes, then we'll help you on your way to start feeling better. It is the last option chosen by the doctors as well as the patient. Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals, U.S. government agency providing resources for women's health, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Decide-if-You-Need-a-Hysterectomy-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Decide-if-You-Need-a-Hysterectomy-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6e\/Decide-if-You-Need-a-Hysterectomy-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid4266087-v4-728px-Decide-if-You-Need-a-Hysterectomy-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"