Hysterectomy

What is the uterus?

Womb (uterus) is part of the female internal genitalia. The internal reproductive organs consist of the vagina, uterus with the cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The uterus consists predominantly of muscle tissue and is on the inside covered with the mucous membrane and on the outside of the peritoneum. The uterus has a size and shape of a small pear. It is 8-10 cm long, has a circumference of about 5-10 cm and weighing 50-100 g. The lower part of the uterus is referred cervix (cervical). The cervix protrudes down into the top of the vagina in which the lower part can be both seen and felt by a gynecological examination. The uterus is usually bent in the future, but it can also bend to the rear or be straight up and down, without causing genes or can be called abnormal.

Uterine cavity is lined with a mucous membrane which is affected by alternating the body’s sex hormones. During the menstrual cycle undergoes different phases uterine lining under the influence of the sex hormones which are formed in the ovaries. At the beginning of cycle mucous membrane grows thicker. If the woman becomes pregnant, the fertilized egg from attaching to the lining and start growing. If the woman does not become pregnant, the uterine lining will be shed. It turns out that menstrual bleeding.

The uterus grows during pregnancy, but it is almost its normal size after childbirth. In the non-pregnant woman is the most common cause that the uterus has been enlarged to contain benign fibroids  (fibroids or myomas).

When removed uterus?

On the trade as removal of the uterus hysterectomy. The most common reasons for removal of the uterus is troublesome fibroids (myomas, fibroids) , bleeding disorders and tumors . Fibroids are benign tumors composed of muscle and connective tissue. Muscle The nodes may become so large that they press the bladder and intestine, gives a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and possible. frequent urination. In other cases, they sit on the inside of the uterus and cause bleeding disorders, both heavy and irregular bleeding. Hormonal disorders can also cause bleeding disorders. Endocrine disruption can in most cases be treated medically, but in some cases, a surgical removal of the uterus be the best solution. It may also be necessary to remove the uterus, if there are tumors in the abdomen, especially in the case of malignant tumors.

Operation Method

You can remove the uterus in different ways. Which surgery you choose depends on:

• Why uterus must be removed
• uterine size
• About the same time to make other interventions and
• About the woman had surgery earlier

If the uterus is greatly enlarged, or there is a tumor to be removed, the operation shall be carried out through the abdominal wall . In most cases down to a “bikini cut” across the belly, which corresponds to the upper boundary of pubic hair. Is the woman previously operated through an incision lengthwise, you can choose to operate through the old scar.

The uterus can be removed through the vagina if it is not too large. A part or the entire operation may also be effected by means of keyhole surgery  through small holes in the abdominal wall.

As a rule, remove the cervix along with the uterus.

An operation through the abdominal wall is done under general anesthesia. An operation through the vagina can also be made in epidural.

You should discuss with the surgeon what is best in your case.

Are there complications of the surgery?

Most operations where the uterus is removed, proceed smoothly. It is normal to be hospitalized a day or two after surgery, but then, most printed. You should expect to be off sick for about 3-4 weeks.

After an operation is needed for palliative care, which must continue the first week after you have been discharged. It is usually sufficient counter medicines. The stomach may stall after surgery in the abdominal cavity, and it can last up to a week before the stomach is functioning normally. Most sites offer you a laxative after surgery.

As with any major surgery, there is a small risk of complications of hysterectomy. The most common complications are inflammation and accumulation of blood around the wound. In most cases, doing body it yourself, but you may need a little longer sick leave. In other cases it may be necessary to discharge a hematoma or inflammation at a small interference. In connection with the operation to brings a catheter in the bladder, and cystitis that may come in following the progress. Upon removal of the uterus is that, as with other operations, also a lower risk of blood clots in the legs .

To reduce the risk of these complications gets antibiotics and blood thinners in the operation.

The most serious complications occur if, during the operation, damage to other organs in the abdominal cavity. It is fortunately rare. In these cases it is important that the damage be discovered and repaired.

The risk of complications depends on:

• The reason for the uterus to be removed
• The woman’s age
• The woman’s general health
• Possibly. following past operations

Can I do anything to reduce the risk of complications?

There is a greater risk of complications if you are overweight, smoking or heavy drinkers. The relationship you have an influence on.

It is important to get out of bed, move and get something to eat and drink soon after surgery. It can reduce the risk of complications and shorten convalescence. Good pain management is important for you to be able to move as much as possible. In this situation, you should not hesitate to take painkillers.

Am I less woman after surgery?

When the uterus is removed, there will be more menstrual periods, you can no longer get pregnant and do not think about contraception. It is no less woman for that reason. Some express what that femininity is not in the uterus, but in the brain and heart. The vast majority who get a hysterectomy after years of problems with the abdomen, are pleased surgery and feel better than before, but it depends of course on the reason for the surgery.

In most cases, you will preserve the ovaries. Although the uterus is removed the ovaries continue their hormone production after surgery. There is no longer a uterus lining that may be affected by the changing hormones, and there will be no bleeding. The egg is released from the ovary, is so small that it disappears into the abdominal cavity. There is therefore no risk that accumulates something up in the body when there is no longer menstruating.

Ordinarily women their menopause  by bleeding only become irregular and then stops completely. If you get the uterus removed before menstruation stops, it is not certain that you’ll notice about menopause, unless you get hot flashes.

If the ovaries are removed before menopause, a hormone supplements  become relevant, but it depends on the reason for the surgery. If you need hormone supplements, it is sufficient with estrogens, when not long have a uterus.

When the uterus and cervix are removed, stitched top of the vagina together. The tissue heals in 4-6 weeks, and you can then have intercourse again. Sexual acts you as before.