Uterus surgery: When to say no

The uterus (womb) is one of the main organs that define womanhood. No other single organ in the female body is subjected to as many surgical operations as the uterus. Some women will undergo multiple operative procedures on their wombs in a lifetime. 

The multiplicity of operations on the uterus are related to its reproductive function. Reasons to operate may be related to bleeding patterns, pain, pregnancy, growths and even cancer. But the majority of such problems can be managed in more conservative ways, thus avoiding surgery altogether. Some estimates suggest that more than 50 cent of all operations on the uterus are unnecessary, if only less invasive and equally effective alternatives are offered to women routinely.   

Potential risks

Why should you make it your business to avoid surgery if possible? There are several reasons. Every surgical procedure carries potential for serious risks such as infections, injuries to adjacent organs longer recovery periods and even death in rare cases.

Surgical procedures, on average, tend to cost more compared to conservative measures. Your final bill may have a disproportionate surgeon’s fee, on top of other hospital charges.

Once an operation on your uterus is proposed, this must always be weighed against alternative options. Nothing is absolute in gynaecology; there is always an alternative to do something different, including doing nothing at all.

Far too many women get operated on for flimsy reasons, when simple and effective alternatives are available. There are many cases of women going in for simple operations, only to end up with grave complications, with some ending up dead.

True, some cases will have surgery as the optimal choice, but careful selection of when to operate and when not to, can avoid a lot of tragic consequences. 

Safer approaches

Whatever you might be suffering from, you will find some conservative and effective approaches. Bleeding problems can be controlled with hormonal or non-hormonal medications. If alternate diagnoses are being considered, simple novel outpatient assessments are available.

The majority of women will not require any additional operative assessments. Miscarriages can be sorted with oral or vaginal medications. The notion that the uterus needs to be ‘cleaned out’ is outrageous. It is the same for innocent growths like fibroids, as the symptoms they cause can be controlled in other ways, leaving surgery as the last option in most cases. The list is endless and it’s your duty to be in the know.

So how can you be in charge of whether you get operated or not whenever symptoms crop up?

Simple; ask about alternate choices, and how they relate to your condition. Nobody, even your gynaecologist should make decisions for you.

Make sure you exhaust the list of all alternate conservative measures, before consenting to an operation that may be avoidable. 

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