Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterus from the body. The uterus, also known as the womb is a muscular organ, inside which the baby grows and develops while pregnancy. The uterine lining results in menstrual cycles. According to gynecologists in Kolkata, after undergoing hysterectomy, a patient is unable to have menstrual cycle and also becomes unable to conceive anymore. It is done only when there is absolutely no other medical alternative.

During the surgery, sometimes, the doctor removes the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. The pair of ovaries are the organs which produce estrogen, progesterone and other feminine hormones. The fallopian tubes are the organs that connect uterus to ovary and transport the egg from the ovary. The removal of these organs along with the uterus is done by the doctors in order to mitigate any probability of cancer in these organs.

Reasons for going for a hysterectomy

The doctor might recommend patients to undergo hysterectomy if they have any of the following medical conditions:

a) Unstoppable vaginal bleeding
b) Cancer in the organs- uterus, ovaries or cervix
c) Severe pelvic pain
d) Tumors in uterus
e) Endometriosis- A disease in which the inner membrane of uterus grows outside as well, and leads to pain and bleeding
f) Uterine prolapse- A disease in which the uterus protrudes from the cervix into vagina
g) Adenomyosis- A disease in which the inner lining of the uterus grows into its muscle and causes painful periods.
h) Pelvic inflammatory disease, which occurs as a result of serious infection in the reproductive organs.

Types of Hysterectomy

There are three most executed hysterectomy surgeries performed by gynecologists in Kolkata, which are as follows:

1. Partial hysterectomy– In this procedure, the surgeon discard only infected portion of uterus. The cervix still remains intact.

2. Total hysterectomy– In this procedure, the surgeon removes the entire uterus along with the cervix. Due to the removal of cervix, the patient no longer need annual screening for ‘Pap test’, but it is recommended to them to continue regular pelvic examinations.

3. Hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy– This is a surgery, in which the surgeon removes uterus and either one or both ovaries and fallopian tube.

Risks associated with hysterectomy

As per gynecologists in Kolkata, almost 300 out of every 100000 women undergo a hysterectomy. Though hysterectomy is one of the most successful gynecological surgical procedures. Some women face heavy bleeding and infection around the operated site. Other rare risks may involve injury to surrounding organs such as bladder, intestines or surrounding blood vessels.