Understanding Hysterectomy: Types, Procedure, and Recovery

Hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Here is a look at the different types of hysterectomy, the procedure, recovery and risks.

A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure to remove the uterus, a muscular reproductive organ found only in the female body. Roughly the shape and size of an upside-down pear, the uterus is responsible for the development of the embryo and fetus during the 9 months of pregnancy. The uterus’s narrow lower region is known as the cervix, which connects the uterus to the vagina.

Around the time of ovulation, the uterus builds a thick lining (the endometrium) to receive a fertilised egg. If the egg is unfertilised, the uterine lining comes away as bleeding. This process is known as menstruation. If the egg is fertilised, the fetus will develop inside the uterus throughout the pregnancy.

A hysterectomy is usually performed to treat ovarian cancer, heavy or excruciating menstrual periods, severe pelvic pain, fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Here’s a quick look at the symptoms of each of these.

Ovarian Cancer: Abdominal bloating, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, frequent or urgent urination, back, abdominal or pelvic pain, constipation or diarrhoea, menstrual irregularities, tiredness, indigestion, pain during intercourse, unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Heavy/Excruciating Menstrual Bleeding: Soaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons every hour for several consecutive hours, needing to use double sanitary protection to control your menstrual flow, needing to wake up to change sanitary protection during the night, bleeding for longer than a week, passing blood clots larger than a quarter, restricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow, symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue or shortness of breath.

Severe Pelvic Pain: Severe and steady pain, pain that comes and goes (intermittent), dull aching, sharp pains or cramping, pressure or heaviness deep within your pelvis, pain during intercourse, pain while having a bowel movement or urinating, pain when you sit for long periods of time.

Fibroids: Heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual periods lasting more than a week, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination,
difficulty emptying the bladder, constipation, backache or leg pains.

Endometriosis: Painful periods, pain during intercourse, pain during bowel movements and/or urination, excessive bleeding during menstruation, infertility, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and nausea.

Adenomyosis: Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, severe cramping or sharp, knifelike pelvic pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: pain around the pelvis or lower tummy, discomfort or pain during sex that’s felt deep inside the pelvis, pain when peeing, bleeding between periods and after sex, heavy periods, painful periods, unusual vaginal discharge, especially if it’s yellow, green or smelly.

What Are The Different Types of Hysterectomy?

A total hysterectomy is where both the uterus and the cervix are removed; however, the ovaries are left untouched. Removal of both the uterus and ovaries is called a hysterectomy with oophorectomy.

A subtotal (or partial) hysterectomy is where the uterus is removed, but the cervix remains. In some cases where ovarian cancer is the reason for a hysterectomy, the fallopian tubes may also need to be removed. This is known as a hysterectomy with prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy.

A hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are where the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed. And finally, a radical hysterectomy is where the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, upper part of the vagina, and adjoining pelvic ligaments and lymph nodes are removed.

Procedure

There are several ways that a hysterectomy may be performed. Your urologist will discuss the different options with you. And not to worry, all would be conducted with an anaesthetic.

Abdominal hysterectomy – incisions are made horizontally across the lower abdomen vertically down the midline of the abdomen. This procedure’s main advantage is a lower chance of damaging the urinary tract and surrounding blood vessels. An abdominal hysterectomy is necessary when an extensive investigation of the region is required, such as in ovarian cancer.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy – The procedure may also be performed laparoscopically. This is where small incisions are made in the navel through which a small telescope and other small instruments are inserted. The uterus (and other organs, if required) is then removed through the vagina. This procedure may also be performed robotically.

Vaginal hysterectomy involves making an incision at the top of the vagina, then removing the uterus through the vagina. A vaginal hysterectomy may be recommended when a woman has large fibroids or cancer.

Both laparoscopic and vaginal procedures are more favourable than open surgery as there is minimal scarring and a shorter stay in hospital is required.

Recovery

Following surgery, women are taken to recovery where their vital signs are monitored closely. Some abdominal pain and discomfort may be experienced. Some vaginal bleeding is also common; however, this should subside after a day or two.

During recovery, patients are encouraged to get up and walk around to help decrease the chance of blood clots forming or a lung infection. A catheter is also commonly placed in the urethra to help drain urine. This will be removed after 24 hours.

Depending on the kind of surgery, patients will be required to stay in the hospital for no longer than a week at most. An uncomplicated abdominal hysterectomy generally requires a stay of two to four days, laparoscopic or vaginal surgery will require a stay of two or three days.

Overall, a full recovery will take six to eight weeks. Women should avoid any heavy lifting during this time. Sexual intercourse is also discouraged. However, progressive light exercise is encouraged to help with recovery.

After a hysterectomy, women will no longer have children, and will no longer need contraception or experience menstruation. If your ovaries were removed, menopause symptoms might appear within a few days of surgery.

A hysterectomy can be a very affecting procedure. You can discuss what will happen to your body with your doctor and how it may impact your life. Depending on your age you may need oestrogen supplements. If your hysterectomy was to treat cancer, you would need regular check-ups to make sure the cancer is completely gone.

Overall, a hysterectomy can have many positive outcomes, alleviating many debilitating issues that may have caused much distress previously.

Risks and Side Effects

As with any major surgery, there are some potential risks involved, including infection and internal bleeding, blood clots, difficulty urinating and injury to the surrounding organs. However, these complications are uncommon.

Side effects include decreased sexual desire due to the surgery’s nature or sometimes increased sexual desire due to alleviation of debilitating symptoms. Psychological side effects – feelings of grief or loss – can also arise. Counselling is recommended for women experiencing these feelings.

Hysterectomy with Urology Specialist

Dr Arianayagam is a highly skilled laparoscopic surgeon. After initial training in General Surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital, urology training began in 2006 at Port Macquarie Hospital, Westmead, and Prince of Wales Hospital. During this time, Dr Arianayagam trained under Professor Howard Lau at Westmead.

While completing his Urologic Oncology fellowship at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, there was also significant exposure to more laparoscopic surgery. It was during this time that Dr Arianayagam also honed his skills in teaching.

Currently, Dr Arianayagam has been practising in Sydney since 2011 and has developed the reputation of being a skilled laparoscopic surgeon and an excellent teacher. He routinely performs the entire breadth of urological surgery, including all types of hysterectomy.

If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please feel free to contact or call Dr Arianayagam’s office on 1300 307 990 and his staff will be able to assist.

While you’re here, have a read about some other procedures Urology Specialist covers:

What Is Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP)?

Everything You Need to Know About Robotic Cystectomy

Everything You Need To Know About Robotic Adrenalectomy

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