Who Shouldn't Get a Hysterectomy?

If you’re struggling with any one of a number of conditions that affects your uterus or the supporting structures, you may wonder if a hysterectomy could help. During this surgery, your provider removes your uterus and may also remove your cervix. 

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada, our board-certified providers perform minimally invasive, robotic-assisted hysterectomies to manage and treat many health concerns, including:

• Endometriosis or adenomyosis
• Abnormal vaginal/uterine bleeding
• Uterine cancer/precancer
• Uterine fibroids and other noncancerous growths
• Cervical dysplasia
• Uterine and pelvic organ prolapse
• Chronic pelvic pain/painful periods
• Pain with sex
• Problems with Essure

Not everyone who has one of these concerns or another issue with their uterus should get a hysterectomy, however. Here’s a closer look at this surgical procedure and who should — and should not — get a hysterectomy. 

Understanding hysterectomy

When a surgeon performs a hysterectomy, they remove your uterus. Depending on the condition you have and other factors, you may have a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) or a partial (supra-cervical) hysterectomy, where the cervix remains intact. 

At Darin Swainston MD. FACOG, our surgeons use robotic-assisted technology and laparoscopic techniques to perform minimally invasive hysterectomies to help you heal faster, experience less pain, and have lower risks of complications.

This minimally invasive surgery has significant benefits. It can be lifesaving for some patients, and for others it can restore their quality of life and end their pain. 

If you’re in good overall health, are sure children aren’t in your future, and have a condition that a hysterectomy can address, this treatment could be right for you. However, it’s important to meet with a women’s health specialist, like the providers at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG. 

Your team member reviews your symptoms, conducts an exam, and orders any testing and imaging studies necessary to create a personalized treatment plan designed to address your unique needs. 

Who should not get a hysterectomy 

While a hysterectomy can be the right treatment for many patients, recent studies have led researchers to hypothesize that about 90% of hysterectomies should actually be classified as “elective,” or unnecessary.

If you haven’t completed your family and want to carry a child, a hysterectomy is not an option. In fact, the only reason for a young woman to undergo hysterectomy is as a last resort when other treatments have failed and the benefits to your health outweigh the risks.

But even if you’re finished having children or don’t want kids, most women should carefully consider whether hysterectomy is the right treatment choice. This is because removing your uterus can have serious side effects, complications, and a lasting impact on your health, including:

• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings and hot flashes
• Difficulty achieving orgasm
• Bladder and intestinal changes
• Emotional issues and depression

If you have cancer of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, or endometrium, a hysterectomy may be your best and only option. But if you’re struggling with a benign condition that causes frustrating and painful symptoms, other treatments may be a better option. 

Alternatives to hysterectomy 

The good news is, many alternatives to hysterectomy exist. Your Darin Swainston MD. FACOG provider customizes treatment recommendations based on your condition, symptoms, and overall health.

Our team specializes in many alternative treatments to hysterectomy. Depending on your condition and age, some options may include:

• Medications and hormone replacement
• Lifestyle changes
• Physical therapy
• Uterine artery embolization
• Hysteroscopy
• Myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids)
• Robotic-assisted removal of adhesions (scar tissue) and implants related to endometriosis and adenomyosis 
• Cystectomy (removal of ovarian cysts/tumors)
• Uterosacral vault suspension (repair of uterine/vaginal prolapse)
• Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (vaginal tissue/ligament/muscle repair)

If your provider recommends surgery, know that our team uses state-of-the-art equipment to perform minimally invasive, robotic-assisted gynecologic surgeries whenever possible. This lowers your risk of blood loss, infection, and other complications associated with traditional surgery.

Learn more about hysterectomy and who shouldn’t get one by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone at Darin Swainston MD. FACOG in Las Vegas, Nevada.