• Endometriosis: In cases where medications & conservative treatments do not improve symptoms, patients with endometriosis are recommended a hysterectomy along with removal of ovaries & fallopian tubes.
• Gynecologic cancers: For women with gynecologic cancers like cervical cancer, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, a hysterectomy is the best option. Depending on the type of cancer & the stage of cancer, the patient may need other treatments like radiation & chemotherapy as well.

• Abnormal Vaginal bleeding: Women who suffer with prolonged, heavy or irregular periods are often recommended hysterectomy when all other treatment methods fail to bring relief.
• Chronic Pelvic Pain: Hysterectomy may be considered a last resort for patients who have chronic pelvic pain. But this is very rarely recommended.

Getting a hysterectomy done means that the patient will not be able to conceive. So if the patient is planning to become pregnant, it is best to speak to the gynaecologist about other treatment options available. While hysterectomy is the only option for gynecologic cancers, other conditions may improve with less invasive treatments.

A hysterectomy is classified into three types based on what parts of the reproductive system are removed.

• Subtotal Hysterectomy: In this procedure, only the upper part of the uterus is removed. Cervix remains untouched.
• Total Hysterectomy: In a total hysterectomy, the uterus & cervix are removed.
• Radical Hysterectomy: Radical hysterectomy is often performed in patients with gynecologic cancers & involves removal of the whole uterus, tissue on the sides of the uterus, the cervix & top part of the vagina as well.

Depending on factors like patient’s general health condition & cause of hysterectomy, there are various approaches to hysterectomy:

• Abdominal Hysterectomy
• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
• Vaginal Hysterectomy

While most patients who have had a hysterectomy face no serious complications, there are certain risks associated with it:

• Infections
• Blood Clots
• Urinary incontinence
• Chronic Pain
• Vaginal Prolapse