Hysterectomy Q & A

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus. After hysterectomy surgery, you stop having menstrual periods and can no longer get pregnant. The skilled surgeons at Coeur OBGYN perform different types of hysterectomy procedures, including open surgery and minimally invasive alternatives.

What is a minimally invasive hysterectomy?

An open hysterectomy requires making a large incision on your abdomen to remove the uterus. Minimally invasive procedures use a specialized instrument called a laparoscope to remove the uterus through several, much smaller incisions. The laparoscope is a thin, lighted instrument with a camera that allows your surgeon to view and treat your internal organs.

In some cases, your surgeon at Coeur OBGYN performs a hysterectomy with the assistance of the da Vinci® robotic arm. This advanced robotic system provides your surgeon with a greater level of precision and control.

Minimally invasive hysterectomy surgery offers numerous benefits, including:

• Less pain
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery time
• Reduced risk of infection

However, not every woman is an ideal candidate for minimally invasive surgery. In some cases, such as the removal of very large fibroids, open surgery is safer and more effective.

Why would I need a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomy is never the first line of treatment for a gynecological problem. The team at Coeur OBGYN explores every available nonsurgical treatment to improve your condition.

If conservative therapies don’t provide relief, a hysterectomy is often necessary to treat conditions such as:

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

Depending on your needs, your surgeon may also remove your ovaries and fallopian tubes.

What are other types of gynecologic surgery?

There are many other types of gynecologic procedures that treat these conditions without removing your uterus. The expert surgeons at Coeur OBGYN perform various procedures, including:

• Diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopy
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
• Endometrial ablation
• Cone biopsies
• Pelvic organ prolapse repair

Several of these procedures, such as endometrial ablation, take place in the office at Coeur OBGYN.

To learn more about your options for hysterectomy and other gynecologic surgeries, call Coeur OBGYN or book an appointment online today.