(Time for a very special episode of All Rileyed Up, courtesy of MomCentral)

Alternatives to Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy

I’m pretty sure most of you know what a hysterectomy is. And you probably know someone who had one for reasons other than uterine cancer.

How about laparoscopy? Ever heard of that?

Endometrial ablation, myomectomy, and uterine artery embolization are among the minimally invasive options for heavy period and fibroid issues that women do not about when a hysterectomy is recommended.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopy is the inspection of the pelvic organs through a slender telescope equipped with a camera (laparoscope) that projects a magnified view onto a video monitor.

Laparoscopy is used to diagnose pelvic disorders such as adhesions (scar tissue), endometriosis, ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy. If one of these problems is encountered, the laparoscope can be equipped with special surgical instruments to treat it during the same procedure. When used for treatment, the procedure becomes operative laparoscopy or laparoscopic surgery.
(read full definition of laparoscopy here)

The AAGL: American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists

Last year, US News and World Report published an article on laparoscopic procedures. Though the practice has been around for decades, it isn’t well known. The AAGL seeks to change that. They want women to know that there are options out there besides surgery for a variety of gynecological issues, and not just ones resolved by hysterectomy. For example, you can get hysteroscopic sterilization instead of tubal ligation—a ten minute procedure vs surgery. Hmm.

The next time you go in for a well woman exam, if surgery is what they’re talking, do your body a favor and research noninvasive options first.

You can start here:
AAGL home page
AAGL Patient Topics, Glossary, and Physician Finder