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What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove your uterus. While a hysterectomy only involves uterus removal, many women also have ovaries and fallopian tubes removed at the time of the surgery. 

When might I need a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a permanent solution for several challenging women’s health issues, including: 

  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Uterine cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Uterine prolapse
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Chronic pelvic pain

After a hysterectomy, you can’t carry a baby, so it’s best for women who are done building their family. 

Generally, a hysterectomy is a last resort. There are often alternative procedures like MyoSure® and TruClearfor fibroids and NovaSure® for endometriosis that can give you symptom relief without a hysterectomy, but those approaches aren’t right for everyone.

What is the procedure for a hysterectomy?

In most cases, WHASN West Valley performs robotic hysterectomies using the leading-edge da Vinci system. 

With this type of surgery, your surgeon controls robotic arms while sitting at a console nearby. The control panel allows superior manual dexterity and better flexibility during the procedure. They have a magnified 3D color view of the surgery site, allowing them to see better than traditional surgery. 

Your surgeon moves the robotic arms to make a group of several tiny incisions in your mid and lower abdomen. Then, with the robotic arms holding specialized miniature surgical tools, your surgeon directs the removal of your uterus in small pieces. 

Should you need ovary or fallopian tube removal, they can also perform those procedures during your hysterectomy. 

Thanks to the tiny incisions, your risk of infection is far lower than with traditional (long-incision) hysterectomy methods. You’ll also have far smaller scars, less pain, and a faster recovery. 

Will I go into menopause after a hysterectomy?

Uterus removal doesn’t bring on menopause, but if you have ovary removal alongside your hysterectomy, you’ll enter surgical menopause immediately. 

Menopause can cause numerous difficult issues like mood swings, hot flashes, and reduced sex drive, making many women apprehensive about it. 

Fortunately, there are effective solutions for menopause symptoms, whether it’s surgical or natural menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with Biote® pellets can restore ideal hormone levels for three to six months at a time without taking daily medication. 

To find out how a hysterectomy can help with your debilitating women’s health issues, call WHASN West Valley or book a consultation through the online feature now.