Thinking About Hysterectomy

Before advising a hysterectomy, your healthcare provider will evaluate your health problem. You and your provider will go over the results of your exams and tests. Together, you can talk about choices and make a treatment plan.

Planning your treatment

Treatment choices may include medicine, nonsurgical procedures, hysterectomy, or a mix of treatments. While looking at your choices, think about these questions:

• What other treatments are available? Are there medicines or other types of surgery that might ease your symptoms?

• How severe is your problem? Is your health problem getting in the way of your daily life? Is the problem getting worse? If the answer to these questions is no, you may not need a hysterectomy.

• Do you want to have children? If you do, then take time to explore choices that may help you not need a hysterectomy.

• Are you at risk for ovarian cancer? If so, your healthcare provider may advise removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes along with the uterus.

Consider getting a second opinion if you are not comfortable with the advice given to you.