What is gynecologic surgery, in the first place? This term covers any type of surgery on any part of a woman’s reproductive system — which can include the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, vagina, uterus, and cervix. Millions of women across the United States undergo some type of gynecologic surgery every year.
The good news is that there are many benefits to gynecologic surgery. If you’re feeling concerned about a gynecologic surgery you’re supposed to be having, you aren’t alone. Check out the facts below to prepare yourself and get back to your life.
What Does Gynecologic Surgery Treat?
Gynecologic surgery is used to treat a wide variety of conditions that affect a woman’s reproductive system. These can include both benign and malignant issues, such as:
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Fibroids
- Abnormal bleeding
- Uterine cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pelvic masses
- Endometriosis
These are only a few of the different conditions you might be diagnosed with that require gynecologic surgery. Your physician may recommend gynecologic surgery for other types of women’s reproductive health issues, as well.
Common Gynecologic Surgery Procedures
If your gynecologist has recommended gynecologic surgery, they believe that this treatment is in the best interest of your health. Some common gynecologic surgery procedures you might undergo include:
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
- Removal of ovarian cysts or fibroids
- Getting your tubes tied
- Uterine artery embolization
- Hysteroscopy
- Hysterectomy
- Cervical cryosurgery
- Cystoscopy
- Colposcopy
- Dilation and curettage (D&C)
- Surgical removal of tumors on the cervix, uterus, or ovaries
You can find out more about the gynecologic procedure your physician has recommended by asking them to go into greater detail about it. Ask about what you can expect from gynecologic surgery and how you can prepare for it.
Benefits of Gynecologic Surgery
Gynecologic surgery can take many forms. However, one of its greatest benefits is that it can be minimally invasive. For example, hysteroscopic surgery doesn’t require any incisions at all and the recovery time is minimal.
Advanced laparoscopic surgery involves no cutting of the uterine tissue at all. This results in shorter hospital stays and less discomfort. Many women have even been able to return to work within just one week.
One of the most cutting-edge types of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery is robotic surgery. The da Vinci surgery in particular provides increased accuracy and precision. This results in minimal trauma to the tissue. Patients who have gone through a da Vinci surgery are often back to their normal routines within days.
There is also vaginal surgery which avoids abdominal incisions entirely and combines the advantages of both robotic and advanced laparoscopic surgeries.
In addition to being minimally invasive, the ability to create small abdominal incisions or avoid them entirely allows the patient to experience minimal skin scarring. Women no longer have to worry about large, unsightly scars that hinder their self-confidence.
Do You Need Gynecologic Surgery?
Gynecologic surgery isn’t without its risks. But if your physician has recommended any of the common gynecologic surgical procedures above, they have determined that the benefits for you outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have before moving forward with your gynecologic surgery.