Endometrial ablation
Endometrial ablation is an operation to remove the lining of your womb. The most common reason for having an endometrial ablation is to experience relief from the symptoms of heavy periods – most women will experience a noticeable reduction in their periods, and, in some cases, periods stop altogether.
The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic, where your gynaecologist will use electricity or laser energy to remove the lining of your womb and any polyps or small fibroids they find.
Hysterectomy Surgery
Hysterectomy involves removing the uterus. It may be performed to treat heavy periods, long-term pelvic pain, non-cancerous growths, or cancer of the uterus, ovaries or cervix.
There are four main types of hysterectomy:
- Total hysterectomy: the uterus and cervix are removed
- Subtotal hysterectomy: the womb is removed, but the cervix is left in place
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: the womb, cervix, tubes and ovaries are removed
- Radical hysterectomy: the womb, tubes, ovaries, cervix, part of the vagina and surrounding tissues such as lymph glands and fat are removed
A hysterectomy is a very common operation. It can be performed via keyhole surgery, via the vagina, or through a cut on the abdomen.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy involves passing a thin camera into your womb to view the inside and diagnose any related conditions.
If the aim of the procedure is just to look inside, the procedure can sometimes be performed in the outpatient clinic with some pain relief.
If the intention is to treat a condition, then an operative hysteroscopy is performed. This takes place in an operating theatre, either under general anaesthetic (asleep) or spinal anaesthetic (awake or sedated). A thin telescope is passed into the uterus.
If a condition is identified, it may be possible to treat it then, for instance cutting out fibroids or getting rid of (ablating) excess endometrial tissue. If necessary, samples of tissue (biopsies) can be taken and sent off for analysis.
Recovery from hysteroscopy is usually quick, and you can hopefully go home the same day. You may have some discomfort afterwards, which has been compared to period pains.
Laparoscopic Surgery
If your surgeon suspects that the cause of your symptoms may be coming from inside your abdomen, they may suggest performing a laparoscopy. In an operating theatre, with a general anaesthetic (where you are asleep), a thin telescope is passed through a small cut into your abdomen.
Images from the telescope are displayed on a screen for the surgeon and team to see. Here they can examine the inside of the abdomen, as well as look for causes of your symptoms related to the organs.
Many conditions of the uterus, tubes and ovaries can be managed during laparoscopic surgery.
You will be given pain-relieving drugs whilst you are asleep and advised to continue taking painkillers afterwards.
Laparoscopic Sterilisation
Laparoscopic sterilisation is a permanent method of female contraception. It involves blocking both fallopian tubes to stop you from becoming pregnant. Afterwards, you will no longer need to use another form of contraception.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes about twenty minutes. Your gynaecologist will make several small cuts on your abdomen. The most common method of sterilisation is to block each fallopian tube with a clip.
Oophorectomy
An oophorectomy is the surgical removal of your ovaries. It is often performed as part of a hysterectomy but may be carried out alone.
During an oophorectomy, you’ll be anaesthetised, meaning you will not be awake throughout the surgery. This procedure can be carried out to remove an ovarian cyst that is causing pain, lethargy, bloating or bladder issues, and treat conditions such as endometriosis.
It can also be performed to remove cancerous ovaries or the ovaries of women at high risk of developing ovarian cancer.