the uterus and in many cancer cases. (Scarring occurs from prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, prior infections of the tubes or ovaries, ruptured appendix, or from endometriosis). The advantage of having an abdominal hysterectomy is mostly for the physician. This will allow for the most exposure and access to the pelvic organs. This is especially necessary in cancer patients to evaluate how much the cancer has spread. A vaginal hysterectomy can be performed with or without the use of a camera placed in the abdominal cavity for assistance. Because the procedure is carried out through the vagina, the recovery time is significantly shorter for the patient compared with an abdominal hysterectomy. And at some hospitals, this procedure is done on an outpatient basis (same day procedure). However, not all patients are good candidates for this procedure. As stated earlier this procedure is limited to the reason for the hysterectomy, size of the uterus, and amount of scarring present.

Should I leave my ovaries in?

This is a difficult decision and outside of needing to have them removed in the cases of cancer or severe endometriosis, the decision is best made after a thorough discussion with your doctor. Having your ovaries removed means you will be in menopause and will have all the manifestations of menopause if you do not take hormone replacement (hot flushes, bone loss etc.). With this in mind, if you are not close to menopause it is probably better to leave them in so you will still have all the benefits of hormone production from your ovaries. If you are in menopause or very close to it (average age is 51) then some would advocate taking your ovaries out. The rational is that they are minimally functioning at this point, but still susceptible to ovarian cancer. And, since you are having pelvic surgery you should have them removed to decrease your chance of getting ovarian cancer later and requiring another surgery. Keep in mind, the overall chance for a woman to develop ovarian cancer is 1/70.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/)




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