A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Depending on the type of hysterectomy performed and the reason it is being done, removal of the cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes is sometimes performed during the same surgery.

The common reasons for a hysterectomy can include abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or chronic pelvic pain. When non-surgical means fail to control a woman’s symptoms, surgery can become necessary.

Hysterectomies have traditionally involved an incision four to eight inches in size across the lower part of the abdomen. This usually requires 2 to 3 days of hospitalization along with a possible 6-week recovery time and the discomfort from the healing of a large abdominal incision.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy involves making 3 small incisions, each less than ¼ inch, on the abdomen and using a camera to assist with removal of the uterus. The cervix and ovaries can also be removed or left in place depending on patient preference and medical necessity. Avoiding a large abdominal incision improves recovery time. Average hospital stay is 1 day or less. Recovery time is much shorter with many women returning to work in 2 to 4 weeks.

If you would like more information about laparoscopic surgery, please call to schedule an appointment.

About 1 in 5 women experience unusually heavy menstrual bleeding. If this excessive menstrual bleeding is interfering with your lifestyle, causing anemia or fatigue, or restricting your activity due to heavy menstrual clots there is a new technique available without any need for hormones or a hysterectomy.

The NovaSure® procedure is an endometrial ablation procedure which provides an effective and minimally invasive outpatient alternative to a hysterectomy. NovaSure delivers a measured electrical energy via a slender, handheld wand to remove the endometrial lining (inner lining of the uterus).

This outpatient procedure does not require any incisions. Once the NovaSure procedure is activated, it takes generally less than 2 minutes to ablate (remove) the lining of the uterus. This procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia.

In a 5-year follow-up study of NovaSure, 72% of NovaSure-treated patients no longer had a menstrual cycle. 97% of patients had their bleeding reduced to normal levels or below. Only 3% of patients still had heavy menstrual bleeding which required further surgery.

Premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding who have completed childbearing may be candidates for NovaSure.

If you would like more information about NovaSure, please call to schedule an appointment.