Hysterectomy 101

What necessitates a hysterectomy?

Several medical conditions necessitate hysterectomy, the most common of which are the presence of uterine fibroids, severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, pelvic relaxation and uterine prolapse.

Uterine fibroids or uterine leiomyomata are the number one reason hysterectomy is performed. Although benign growths in the uterine lining, uterine fibroids are often associated with heavy bleeding and a lot of other menstrual discomfort experienced by women who elect to have a hysterectomy.

Pelvic relaxation is another medical condition that could be remedied by hysterectomy. When a woman experiences pelvic relaxation, there is a loosening of the support muscles and tissues in the pelvic area. This often leads to impaired sexual performance and urinary incontinence or the inability to hold in one’s urine. In some cases, urinary incontinence gets so bad urine leaks out when a woman coughs sneezes or laughs. Though the exact reason for pelvic relaxation is still unknown, childbearing has been identified as the major contributing factor.