By the time an American woman is in her sixties the odds are high that she will have had a hysterectomy. Indeed, more than half a million women a year have a hysterectomy; only cesarean sections are performed more often. Given these numbers it is likely that most women will face some sort of decision about hysterectomy in their lives. Thus, having information on hysterectomy and the various methods used to perform it is imperative for the majority of women.

There are three main methods by which a hysterectomy is accomplished: Abdominal hysterectomy; vaginal hysterectomy; laparoscopic hysterectomy. Some of the methods are not appropriate for all reproductive problems requiring a hysterectomy. As with any surgical procedure, there are advantages and disadvantages to all three types of hysterectomy.

An abdominal hysterectomy is the procedure of choice when there is the possibility that a large growth such as a fibroid tumor may have to be removed. This method also allows the physician an optimal view of the pelvic area. Abdominal hysterectomies are performed under general anesthesia. While they may require less time in actual surgery than a laparoscopic hysterectomy, they require significantly more recovery time sometimes up to two months. The recovery period may also be more painful that other hysterectomy surgery. A hysterectomy of this type also leaves a larger scar than a similar operation performed with a laparoscope. If an abdominal hysterectomy is absolutely necessary, it may be possible to make a less noticeable bikini line incision. Aesthetic considerations and recovery time aside, an abdominal hysterectomy is an excellent tool for making sure that all risks have been determined and eliminated.

A vaginal hysterectomy is called for when the uterus has not been massively enlarged by disease. Many women prefer this method because it leaves no abdominal scars and require a shorter hospital stay than even a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Although recovery may not be as painful as that of an abdominal procedure, stitches made inside the vagina may be quite uncomfortable. Hysterectomies performed vaginally do not give the doctor a clear view of other problems which may exist. Also, if in the operating room the uterus proves to be too large for a vaginal hysterectomy an abdominal hysterectomy must be done instead.

Laparoscopic hysterectomies are increasingly popular with both doctors and their patients. Using a laparoscope – a slender flexible optical tube – a doctor can closely examine the pelvic area but is not committed to surgery as invasive as an abdominal hysterectomy. The scars created by the laparoscope and instruments for removing the uterus and possibly other reproductive organs are much smaller than those made by complete abdominal surgery. A hospital stay of only one or two days is required and recovery may be as little as two weeks with minimal associated pain.

Any type of hysterectomy is major surgery performed under general anesthesia. All hysterectomies also have lasting side effects which may include surgically induced menopause. No matter what type of hysterectomy a woman is considering, she should thoroughly discuss all of the options open to her including alternative treatments. Further, while recovery time and scarring are important items to be weighed, the most important factor when deciding whether or not to have a hysterectomy should always be confronting and eliminating the medical problem.

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Certainly there are circumstances where hysterectomy surgery is the only alternative; the possibility of a malignant growth is such a case. Uncontrollable chronic endometriosis or ongoing heavy bleeding also qualifies as a substantial reason for hysterectomy surgery. Advanced uterine prolapse (a condition in which the uterus falls from its normal position down into the vagina) where the uterus has fallen so far that it obstructs bodily and sexual function constitutes another appropriate use of hysterectomy surgery. A case can also be made for using hysterectomy surgery against recurring, large fibroid tumors. Many other maladies, however, may respond to lesser treatments. At the very least a woman and her doctor should be able to explore less invasive therapies.

When endometriosis has not invaded other organs and is not overly abundant there are several avenues of attack short of hysterectomy surgery. Hormone therapy is one option. Endometrial ablation (the removal of the lining of the uterus) may also alleviate the disease. Moderate bleeding may also be corrected by endometrial ablation.

Hysterectomy surgery is quite often used to eradicate uterine fibroids. Again, small to medium size fibroids can many times be eradicated by other means. As with endometriosis fibroids may shrink in response to hormone therapy. They can also be surgically excised without removing the entire uterus. Women who are approaching menopause may want to adopt a wait and see approach to their fibroids. The growth of fibroids is energized by hormones. Often times when the production of female hormones diminishes at the onset of menopause the fibroids shrink naturally.

Uterine prolapse accounts for more than fifteen percent of hysterectomy surgery. While extreme cases uterine prolapse may become so severe that the only solution is removal of the uterus, a woman may want to contemplate exercise and perhaps the use of a pessary (a support device inserted into the vagina) before consenting to hysterectomy surgery.

No woman should be rushed into hysterectomy surgery; likewise, no woman should avoid hysterectomy surgery that is vital to her health. Therefore, when a woman is told that hysterectomy surgery may be necessary she should feel free – under a doctor’s care – to explore the other options that may be available to correct her condition.

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Hysterectomy by definition is removal of the uterus. Without a uterus a woman will no longer menstruate or have the ability to carry a child. Many people assume that when these things happen menopause automatically follows; that assumption is incorrect. Menopause occurs as the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone diminishes with age. Removal of the uterus in and of itself will not cause the onset of menopause. The ovaries are the main source of estrogen and progesterone; if they are left in place and continue to function menopause comes along at just about the same time as it would have without a hysterectomy.

Many times doctors try to leave at least one ovary with the intent of forestalling menopause. Sometimes, however, even when the ovaries are not removed menopause symptoms may begin. Hysterectomy, obviously, is traumatic. The operation can change the blood flow to the ovaries in which case they may not produce hormones in the same quantity as before; decreased hormone production will result in the beginning of menopause. Additionally, the ovaries may fail, again resulting in the onset of menopause.

Sometimes medical circumstances dictate the removal of all the reproductive organs including both ovaries. When this happens, so called surgical menopause starts immediately. For a variety of reasons, the symptoms accompanying surgical menopause many times are more severe than those which accompany natural menopause. This severity is partially due to the abrupt way in which surgical menopause comes about and also because a woman is dealing with recovery from a major operation at the same time. For many women the months leading up to and after a hysterectomy are confusing and emotional times; these feelings may exacerbate a woman’s menopause symptoms.

A woman who enters menopause as a result of her hysterectomy will experience the same menopausal indications as a woman who enters it naturally. Studies show though that the signs associated with surgical menopause may hit a woman harder than those of ordinary menopause. Women who experience surgical menopause may also be at greater risk for osteoporosis, heart attacks and some forms of cancer. However, not all of the evidence is in on these areas of concern.

Treatments for menopause following hysterectomy are basically the same as those for common menopause. For some women hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be appropriate; others may treat the symptoms with vitamins and herbal therapies. Either course of action should be discussed with the woman’s physician and monitored by same on a regular basis. Both courses of action will benefit from being coupled with proper diet and exercise.

In sum, menopause is not a routine response to hysterectomy. When a woman’s ovaries are left in place she may experience menopause on only a slightly earlier schedule. Even if menopause does begin as a result of a hysterectomy a woman has many options open to her for dealing with the symptoms. Knowing those options and feeling in control of the situation will help any woman deal with whatever hysterectomy may throw at her.

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Answer : HYSTERECTOMY, or removal of the womb, can cause oestrogen production to decrease, which in turn can cause dryness of the skin.

You may supplement yourself with evening primrose oil. Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has been shown to help reduce inflammation and dryness. GLA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid from the Omega-6 (n-6) series. It is useful in the control of water permeability of the skin, thus preventing dry skin.

Your skin needs a good balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to function and remain healthy. Adequate exercise helps improve circulation and move waste and nutrients through the system.

Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise to keep your skin healthy and youthful. Beta-carotene and vitamin C may benefit the skin. Vitamin C is essential for the making of collagen and connective tissues to firm the skin. Vitamin E has been shown to slow down the ageing of the tissues.

Zinc is important for the normal function of the skin’s sebaceous glands to ensure smoothness for the skin.

You should at least drink six to eight glasses of purified water throughout the day to hydrate the skin and circulate essential nutrients. Fruit and vegetable juices are excellent as well.

When in the sun, apply a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. Avoid astringents and skin toners, unless they are specially formulated for dry skin. Lotions containing aloe vera help restore skin moisture.

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What are the prerequisites for combining a tummy tuck (known in medical parlance as an abdominoplasty) with a hysterectomy? First, and most importantly, a woman must receive the absolute approval and cooperation of the surgeon performing her hysterectomy. Although most physicians will not dispute that the two can be done at the same time, there are some additional risks. Some doctors may be unwilling to subject their patients to that additional jeopardy. The tummy tuck is definitely the secondary operation and should in no way interfere with the primary procedure. In some cases, getting the doctor doing the hysterectomy to go along with the doctor doing the tummy tuck will be no problem at all; there are doctors who do both. Most women probably won’t find a doctor willing to multitask in this way though so the second imperative task becomes having the two doctors coordinate their schedules. They will also need to devise the routine by which the two operations will be performed. In order to have the patient under anesthesia for the shortest time possible, as far as can be arranged the two doctors will work in unison. The work of the gynecologist will, of course, take precedence over that of the plastic surgeon.

Before the surgery occurs, a woman undergoing both procedures at once will want to consult with her insurance carrier. Tummy tucks are rarely, if ever, covered by insurance. Even though many of the costs may be rolled in with the costs of the hysterectomy, it is imperative that the insurance carrier be informed ahead of time. Trying to hitch a ride for the tummy tuck on the back of the hysterectomy without first talking to the insurance company could have dire financial consequences.

A woman should also be aware that although she will only have to go through recovery only once, it may be more painful and tiring to recuperate from two procedures at the same time. Tummy tucks can be excruciating the first one or two days after the operation; they can also cause fatigue and even minor depression. Obviously, the return from a hysterectomy is even harder. All of these difficulties may be exacerbated by a lowering or outright cessation of hormones which may accompany some forms of hysterectomy.

All in all, a woman facing a hysterectomy who would like to have a tummy tuck at the same time might actually be able to do so. Coordinating the two procedures will take some effort. Recuperation may be somewhat harder. Still, for some the benefits of having a tummy tucks at the same time as their hysterectomies may outweigh the disadvantages. So, if a woman is of the mind, she needs to get on that Internet and start scouting plastic surgeons that are up to the task.

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