Whether to have a hysterectomy is a difficult and emotional decision for most women, even if it’s the best treatment for your health and well-being. When you face tough choices, you need a compassionate team. At Midwest Women Obstetrician/Gynecologist Ltd in Downers Grove, Illinois, a team of caring board-certified physicians take the time to discuss your treatment options, answer your questions, and explain the procedure so you can make an informed choice. To learn more about hysterectomies, call the office or request an appointment online today.

When would I need a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is usually the first line of treatment for women who have ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer. For noncancerous gynecological conditions, a hysterectomy is the last treatment considered.

Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd recommends a hysterectomy when all other nonsurgical treatments have failed. Or the team might suggest a hysterectomy if you have severe symptoms and you’re sure you don’t want to have more children.

They may treat the following conditions with a hysterectomy:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometrial polyps
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Uterine prolapse

The conditions in this list cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, pain before or during your periods, abnormal bleeding, and irregular menstrual periods.

What are the different types of hysterectomies?

Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd recommends the type of hysterectomy that’s best for your underlying condition. You may need:

Supracervical hysterectomy

If you get a supracervical hysterectomy, also called a partial hysterectomy, the team removes your uterus but leaves the cervix intact. They may perform this type of hysterectomy for noncancerous conditions.

Total hysterectomy

Having a total hysterectomy means that the team removes your uterus and cervix.

Radical hysterectomy

A radical hysterectomy is most often used to treat cancer. The team removes your uterus, cervix, the top part of your vagina, and in some cases, the pelvic lymph nodes.

Hysterectomy with oophorectomy or salpingectomy

If the team removes one or both ovaries, it’s called a hysterectomy with oophorectomy. You may also have a salpingectomy, which means they remove one or both fallopian tubes.

How is a hysterectomy performed?

At one time, hysterectomies required open surgery, a procedure called an abdominal hysterectomy. But with today’s advanced techniques and surgical instruments, many women can have one of the following:

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

The team does this minimally invasive hysterectomy by making a few small incisions in your abdomen and using a laparoscope and specialized instruments that fit through the incisions.

The laparoscope holds lighting and a camera, and it sends magnified images to a monitor. They perform your hysterectomy by viewing the monitor and controlling the other instruments from outside your body.

Vaginal hysterectomy

During this procedure, the team removes the uterus through your vagina. They can also take out your cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries during this type of hysterectomy.

If you have questions about a hysterectomy, call Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd  or request an appointment online today.