Tips for Choosing Your Best Option Before Choosing a Hysterectomy

If you are contemplating a hysterectomy to manage a gynecologic condition or symptoms, it is important that you take some time to weigh your options and get a second opinion before making any final decisions. Because of the wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options available for a multitude of gynecologic concerns, a hysterectomy is rarely the only option.

Though you may find it helpful to talk to female friends, family members, and colleagues, the decision to have a hysterectomy can only be made by you with the input of your personal physician. The two of you will need to take into consideration your current symptoms, personal and family medical histories, and your quality of life.

Because a hysterectomy is rarely an emergency surgery, you have time to research, learn about your options, and make a well-informed decision for you.  Here are some tips as you decide which option is best for you.

Try alternative treatments.

Before scheduling a hysterectomy or another gynecologic surgery, talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options. You can begin with the least invasive treatment first. If those are not successful, you can then move to more invasive options. Even when considering surgical choices, try the more minimally invasive options before consenting to invasive choices or a hysterectomy. Depending on your diagnosis, there are multiple procedures which could treat your condition without requiring the removal of your uterus.

Always seek a second opinion.

When choosing which treatment option might be best for you, and especially before scheduling a hysterectomy, it’s wise to seek a second opinion. Every physician has a different level of skill, education, and experience, so each one can offer different options depending on personal abilities and knowledge. Consulting with a physician who specializes in your condition can open the doors to additional options because of expert training and experience.

Remember some women exchange one set of problems for another.

A hysterectomy is not a cure all for every gynecologic issue and it comes with a long list of possible side effects and risks.  For some women, they find the hysterectomy complications and issues that occur after surgery are worse than their original condition. To try to avoid having this happen to you, it is important to learn about your risks and find the most skilled and knowledgeable specialist you can.

Choose minimally invasive surgery.

If hysterectomy is your only option and final choice, choose a less invasive option. Rather than settle for surgery with a general OB/GYN, look for a surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery and has extensive experience. Minimally invasive hysterectomy options can offer many advantages for women, so you could benefit in a lot of ways from this type of surgery.

Content Sponsored by: MIRI Women – The Minimally Invasive Reproductive Surgery Institute (MIRI) brings together highly skilled, board-certified specialists who are focused on women’s health. Our team of professionals is trained in advanced gynecology, specifically hysterectomy surgery. Philosophically, our partner physicians take a “less is more” approach to health care, by first treating patients with the most conservative therapies. MIRI focuses on physical healing, while emphasizing that a patient’s emotional well-being is just as importan