Hearing the word hysterectomy from a doctor can sound like a death knell to some women. Much of that has to do with misinformation about what a hysterectomy is and how removing organs affects the body, but for many women, the idea of any kind of surgery is deeply upsetting.
At the end of the day, having a hysterectomy for a benign condition like fibroids, endometriosis, or adenomyosis should be a decision made by the patient after all of the facts are laid in front of her, without pressure to decide from her doctor. This is a very personal decision that can be emotional.
Weighing the pros and cons can take time. There are long held beliefs about what will happen after removing a uterus. While many of these are myths, they can create fear and confusion, making the decision even harder. It is important for a surgeon to listen closely to the concerns of a patient and explain what happens, what organs are being removed and how hormones will be affected. For example, many women are unaware that the ovaries produce the hormones associated with menopause. If left in tact, the patient should not experience early menopause, and the symptoms associated with menopause after surgery.
Each woman has her own relationship with her body, and it is essential that every doctor have a respectful attitude towards his or her patient and this important decision.
Delaying Treatment For GYN Conditions Puts Women’s Health At Risk
In the United States, more than half of women are unclear about GYN conditions and the surgical procedures to treat them, leaving many women at the mercy of misinformation, and out-of-date practices that can actually worsen conditions. Understanding what having a hysterectomy involves can help women make better decisions about their health.
A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and the cervix. New research shows that removal of the fallopian tubes is an important addition to the surgery to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Removing the uterus can cure many conditions like fibroids and adenomyosis. When removed, a woman can no longer bear children, but if the ovaries remain she will not enter menopause until it occurs naturally.
Paul MacKoul, MD and Natalya Danilyants, MD developed the DualPortGYN technique for a minimally invasive hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures. The DualPortGYN technique makes it possible to remove even large uteri, large fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts using just two tiny incisions. A minimally invasive hysterectomy is recommended for women who have abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain due to adenomyosis and who are finished with child bearing. While fibroids can be removed with a minimally invasive myomectomy, that will not treat the adenomyosis, and additional fibroids are likely to grow. The only cure for both adenomyosis and fibroids is a hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy Myths & Facts: The Procedure
Hysterectomy Myths & Facts: Changes to My Body
GYN Surgery Gap Hampers Women’s Decisions
The CIGC state-of-the-art specialists are available at three locations in the DC metro area. Virginia patients can visit the Reston location, and Saturday appointments are available. Maryland offices are located in Rockville and Annapolis.
GYN surgical specialists can often see women sooner because they are focused entirely on surgery. Each patient gets detailed, in depth attention from Dr. Natalya Danilyants, Dr. Paul MacKoul and Dr. Rupen Baxi. This personalized care helps patients understand their condition and the recommended treatment so that they can have confidence from the very start. Our surgeons have performed over 20,000 GYN procedures and are constantly finding better ways to improve outcomes for patients.
Book a consultation today with Paul MacKoul MD, Natalya Danilyants MD or Rupen Baxi, MD.
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CIGC TRAVEL PROGRAM
Even if you are not from the DC area, many patients travel to The Center for Innovative GYN Care for our groundbreaking procedures. We treat women from around the world who suffer from complex GYN conditions.
Learn more in our travel program.
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