Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop inside of the uterus.
Although fibroids are harmless, they can cause pelvic pain and unusual bleeding
which makes living with one a nightmare. It is estimated that approximately 1
in 3 women will develop a fibroid during their lifetime. Most fibroids cause
little or no symptoms, and may go undetected. Women who experience severe pain,
bleeding, or abdominal swelling that does not respond to non-surgical treatment
options may be good candidates for a hysterectomy.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is another common cause of hysterectomies. Approximately 5
million women in the United States
suffer from endometriosis, which is the abnormal growth of endometriosis cells.
Many who suffer from this condition are unaware because they experience few or
no symptoms. Signs of endometriosis include painful periods, trouble
conceiving, chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, abnormal menstrual
cycles, and bladder problems. Women who experience mild symptoms may not seek
medical attention, thus the condition remains undiagnosed. Physicians will
likely prescribe medications or perform minor surgical procedures to treat
endometriosis. If the patient does not respond favorably to less extreme treatments,
a hysterectomy may become necessary.
Vaginal Bleeding and Pelvic Pain
Vaginal bleeding is a common complaint among women. This includes
experiencing longer menstrual cycles, or bleeding heavily during cycles. In
some cases, a hysterectomy is the only method for treating abnormal bleeding.
Women with chronic pelvic pain may also require a hysterectomy to relieve
tenderness and pain. However, pelvic pain can be caused by a number of medical
conditions such as kidney infections, bladder infections, and irritable bowel
syndrome. Thus, physicians should rule out all possible causes prior to
scheduling a hysterectomy.