Vaginal Hysterectomy

A surgical procedure to remove the uterus through the vagina is called vaginal hysterectomy. In this procedure, your surgeon will detach your uterus from the ovaries, upper vagina, fallopian tubes, connective tissues and blood vessels, and then he will remove the uterus through the vagina.

This procedure has lower cost, faster recovery and shorter time in the hospital compare to abdominal hysterectomy. Your surgeon may talk to you about other surgical options such as abdominal hysterectomy if your uterus is enlarged. This procedure also includes the removal of the cervix.

Total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy is a procedure when one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed.

The main reasons for vaginal hysterectomy are treating different gynecologic conditions such as:

• Fibroids which are the benign tumors in your uterus that can cause pelvic pain, persistent bleeding, and anemia.
• Endometriosis is when endometrium grows outside of the uterus.
• Gynecologic cancer such as cancer of the cervix, uterus or ovaries.
• Uterine prolapse.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Chronic pelvic pain caused by a uterine condition.

You can’t become pregnant once you had a hysterectomy.

The risks of vaginal hysterectomy include:

• Blood clots in the legs or lungs
• Heavy bleeding
• Damage to surrounding organs
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Injury to other pelvic or Abdominal organs such as bladder or bowel

To prepare for the vaginal hysterectomy you can:

• Gather information about how is the procedure and you can ask your surgeons questions.
• Discuss what type of anesthesia you will have.
• Asking someone to help you ate your house after the surgery.

Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your vaginal hysterectomy.

During the procedure, your surgeon will give you anesthesia just like what both of you discussed. Then you will lie on your back.

Your surgeon will make a small incision inside your vagina get the uterus than he will clamp the uterine blood vessels and will separate your uterus from the connective tissues, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

Through a vaginal opening, your uterus will be removed. You will be in a recovery room for a few hours. Your doctor will give you medications for pain and to prevent infection.

You will have to wear sanitary pads for you will have bloody vaginal discharge for several days.

If you do not understand your vaginal hysterectomy results, consult with your doctor.

After the procedure, you will not be able to get pregnant and you will no longer have periods. You will begin menopause if you had your ovaries removed.