Before your doctor gets to the stage of recommending a hysterectomy for you, usually he/she will have done the following:
- Taken a complete medical history from you including types of symptoms, their duration and severity.
- Done a thorough physical examination which may include a vaginal exam.
- Done some tests to confirm his/her diagnosis.
Your doctor should tell you clearly and in simple language:
Don't miss:
- Why he/she is recommending the operation.
- The risks, benefits and side effects
- How long the operation will last
- Recovery time after a hysterectomy and when you can get back to your normal activities
- Whether or not your ovaries will be left behind and why
- Whether you will need hormone replacement
- Which type of hysterectomy is suitable for your condition
- Effects on your sex life
- Any feasible alternatives to hysterectomy
Make sure your partner, a close friend or family member is involved in the discussion. They should ask questions and clear their own doubts. Ultimately, it is your decision. Never go through with a hysterectomy until you are satisfied that you have enough facts to make an informed decision.
If your doctor is impatient with, or cannot answer your questions convincingly, then you’ve got the wrong surgeon. Try and get a second opinion.
A hysterectomy done for the right reasons by a good surgeon can dramatically improve your quality of life. Think of it positively as a the solution for your troublesome symptoms. It doesn’t make you less of a woman, it doesn’t make you less attractive. You’re still exactly the same woman except that you don’t have a uterus anymore.
