Complete Hysterectomy Not the Same as a Total Hysterectomy
July 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Hysterectomy
A complete hysterectomy is not the same procedure as a total hysterectomy, although many people use the terms interchangeably. The uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed during a complete hysterectomy. Only the uterus and the cervix are taken out in a total hysterectomy. When speaking with her doctor a woman should take care that they are using the same terms when discussing potential surgery.
Most women face the challenge of a complete hysterectomy in response to a severe diagnosis. Cervical cancer and ovarian cancer are two of the diseases for which a complete hysterectomy may be prescribed. However, large uterine and/or ovarian fibroid tumors may also necessitate the procedure. A complete hysterectomy might also be required in cases of chronic endometriosis which has migrated to other organs or which has caused adhesions. Because a complete hysterectomy causes the immediate onset of surgical menopause, it is important that a woman be fully aware of the side effects which will ensue. In circumstances where a malignancy may be involved there is generally no other medically accepted option other than a complete hysterectomy. In fact, the operation should probably be pursued with alacrity since untreated cancer of the reproductive organs can spread quickly.
A woman who has been fully informed about what to expect after a complete hysterectomy will find that her post operative recovery period will proceed much more quickly. She will also be able to decide prior to her operation what cause of therapy she may want to pursue after her operation. Therefore, a woman should not be afraid of taking the initiative to do personal research about the complete hysterectomy procedure. In addition, she should also not shy aware from asking her doctor any and all questions which she may have.
Any hysterectomy ends a woman’s ability to bear a child. After a complete hysterectomy a woman will begin to experience the symptoms associated with menopause: Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased sexual response and/or sexual desire. A menopausal woman may also become depressed and she is at greater risk for developing osteoporosis. When menopause occurs suddenly due to a complete hysterectomy these symptoms may hit a woman with greater ferocity.
While these indications are certainly distressing they should not prevent a woman from having an operation which she and her doctor have decided must be done. All women eventually face menopause and there are treatments which can lessen the problems it creates. The symptoms of menopause also fade with time. After a complete hysterectomy a woman may want to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In recent years, however, HRT has come under increasing fire for having risks that outweigh its benefits. For that reason a woman may want to discuss other approaches to relieving any signs of menopause. Alternative therapies include vitamins, herbs, exercise and changes in diet. Meditation and aromatherapy are also helpful for many women.
Undergoing a complete hysterectomy will change a woman’s life. If the condition for which it is being considered is not life threatening a woman may want to consider trying other, less invasive treatments first. Still, the maladies brought on by a complete hysterectomy can be treated. A woman who needs a complete hysterectomy should not allow fear of menopause alone dissuade her.
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i took protrium years after complete hysterectomy.. felt out of wak. so i took it for three months. now i cant hardly get up. my hips hurt very bad. is this part of taking prometrium. (100mg 14 days each month) will this go away now that i stopped taking it. dr said i didnt need to take them. did i do harm or will this pain go away? please i hope so. i can hardly get up each day
I just had a complete hysterectomy one week ago today. The uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes were removed. I spoke to several women that had the same surgery and they did not need to take hormones and I don’t plan to take them either, in fact, my doctor didn’t even ask me. My surgery went well, I’m home recoverying mostly resting and walking a little around the house. I just had the staples removed today and it was painless. I feel good so far and in fact I noticed my skin feels smoother. Also those women that I spoke to said they have more energy and felt great after they recovered.
I’m seriously considering a complete hysterectomy. My doctor has agreed due to family medical history, my frequent migraines due to hormones as well as a recent exam that may be cysts…still waiting on the biopsy results. No hormone replacement will be necessary because that is one of the reasons for having this proceedure, to avoid hormonal migraines, but I am concerned.
I’m just now able to have sex again after having major back surgery three and a half months ago and regaining pelvic sensation. How long is the recovery time for a complete hysterectomy and what about a woman’s sex drive…does that eventually return as well?
My mom had her hysterectomy 7 years ago and still can’t get her hormones balanced. She’s been to many doctors in Michigan nobody has helped. She’s now back on the hormone replacement that causes cancer made from horse urine. Please help!
I am curious how you ladies are doing now. I just found out today I need to have a full hysterectomy, and I am scared
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Many women I have spoken to have told me they were not told that after a hysterectomy a woman’s orgasm is not as long lasting or good as uterine contraction enables these sensations, without a uterus orgasms are shorter and not as good.. Please be up front about this. Women need to know the truth!
Thanks
I just had a complete hysterectomy a week ago also. I had my first follow up visit with the doctor today. He has prescribed Estradiol 2 mg tablets as my HRT. I had the prescription filled today but am having second thoughts. I am not sure about taking hormone therapy. I have been reading the side effects and am a little hesitant, however I also do not want to have the side effects of no hormones. I am just not sure what to do. Do you have any advice?
I had a complete hysterectomy (with uterus, tubes, ovaries, and cervix all removed) about 17 years ago when I was 31 yrs old. My OB/GYN at the time started me on a hormone replacement therapy to help with the hot flashes and mood swings that started almost immediately after surgery. It helped. A little.
I changed doctors when I moved and the new doctor saw my medication list and would not refill my hormone replacement pill. She said it was “malpractice” for any doctor to fill that hormone replacement prescription because of all the potentially dangerous side effects long term.
So I stopped. Haven’t had it in about 15 yrs now and for the most part, I don’t miss it. I have “some” hot flashes today – but its nothing like what it was like right after the Hysterectomy.
Good luck to anyone considering these procedures. It is very tough and you must have some help to get through this. After the first year, my mindset was better… but that whole year… wow.. I thought I was going crazy at times.
I have had a full hysterectomy five years ago. Since having that I have always been dry with no discharge whatsoever. However, just recently I have been to have some slight discharge. Should I be worried about this? Can anyone advise me please
Had complete hysterectomy 9 weeks ago. No HRT, no menopausal symptoms
other that a few facial breakouts. Have attempted intercourse twice
since given the “all-clear” at 6 weeks. Extremely painful still-
may be due to the fact that I still have 2 stitches that have not
dissolved? Now having pelvic pain?
Thank you B.V. I will be having a complete hysterectomy in June. My doctor said he didn’t want me to take hormones if I could get through what i might feeling any other way. I have been reading a lot on line stuff. I have friends who have had hysterectomies but none of them have had a complete hysterectomy. I feel very good about everything and now I feel good about not taking hormones.
Having my total on June 27th due to breast cancer just had a dbl mastectomy and I have the BRCA 2 gene. I pray for a fast recovery, more energy and all the good stuff, most of all NO more periods…
I had a complete hysterectomy in 1975 and was immediately placed on HRT (Premarin). Over the years I have done extensive research on the risks of taking Premarin for an extended period of time. What I have found is that there has not been even one study done which followed women who have had a complete hysterectomy. Every study that I have found involved only women who have had partial hysterectomies done; i.e., they are still producing some hormones in this area themselves. On the other hand, women who had complete hysterectomies produce no hormones in this area. I have had no ill effects from taking Premarin for 36 years. My DEXAs (bone density exams) always indicate no evidence of osteoporosis or any other of the so-called risks associated with taking Premarin. Personally, I would recommend hormone replacement therapy to any woman having a complete hysterectomy.
I’m 54, I was having perimenopausal symptoms which were tolerable. I had a complete hysterectomy January 2011. I felt great at first, I was happy to be rid of the constant pain and heavy bleeding from fibroids. It is now July 2011 and I feel like I’m about to loose my mind at times. I am so agitated, aggresive, mooody,can’t sleep, I feel depressed most days, no energy, my sex drive is from low to none. (Not good considering I’ve only been married two years; my poor husband)I mentioned these things to my gynecologist and he suggested a HRT, but my family physician advised against it. I’ve had two episodes of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms following knee replacement surgery. I am at my wits end. I don’t know what to do, but I know I can’t go on like this. I might hurt someone, just kidding.. but I do feel extremely out of control at times. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It’s like being in Arizona in August all the time..HELP
I will be having a complete hysterectomy on july 25th and I am so scared. I just turned 31 and really dont know what to expect. Can anyone help me?