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Hysterectomy and the pelvic floor
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What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a woman's uterus or womb. There are various reasons for why your gynaecologist may perform hysterectomy surgery and a range of different hysterectomy procedures that may be used:
- A total hysterectomy (or complete hysterectomy) involves the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix (ring of muscle at the base of the uterus)
- A partial hysterectomy (or subtotal hysterectomy) involves the surgical removal of the uterus without removing the cervix.
Hysterectomy procedures
The hysterectomy procedure used varies according to the medical reason for your surgery. The type of surgery performed will affect your recovery time after a hysterectomy. There are a range of different hysterectomy procedures that can be performed including:
Pelvic floor exercise equipment to prepare for a hysterectomy
There is an excellent range of equipment available to help you get your pelvic floor muscles into their best possible shape, to support your insides in preparation hysterectomy surgery:
- Feedback devices can be useful to teach you about your pelvic floor exercise technique, especially if you have difficulty finding and feeling your pelvic floor muscles working. Devices such as the PFX2 can help you measure your strength improvements so that you can monitor your progress.
- Some women are able to use electrical stimulation devices before their surgery, particularly when their pelvic floor muscles are very weak. These devices can be used to increase your awareness of your pelvic floor muscles working and give them a kick start, particularly if they are very weak.
- Pelvic floor strength training devices such as vaginal weights, balls and barbells are designed to help you increase the strength of your pelvic floor muscles- just like regular muscle strength training. Pelvic floor strength training exercises help you to increase the thickness and stiffness of your pelvic floor muscles so that they support your insides as they should. These devices can also help you feel your pelvic floor muscles working.
Promoting your recovery after a hysterectomy
You can minimise the risk of post operative hysterectomy complications and avoid some potential side effects of a hysterectomy through rest and appropriate exercise. Read more about hysterectomy recovery, or download our Recovery from Hysterectomy information sheet (pdf).
Pelvic floor exercises after a hysterectomy
Your pelvic floor muscles should work to support your insides post hysterectomy. These muscles also assist your bladder and bowel storage and emptying. A weak floppy pelvic floor will not work well to support your internal organs and stitches after your hysterectomy. It makes good sense to train your pelvic floor muscles into their best possible condition to prepare for hysterectomy surgery. After a hysterectomy, check with your gynaecologist regarding his/her preference for when you are able to commence gentle pelvic floor exercises.
Since your pelvic floor muscles are hidden from view inside your body, performing correct pelvic floor exercises can seem mysterious and confusing. If you are at all uncertain about how to perform your pelvic floor exercises using the correct technique after a hysterectomy, contact a physiotherapist or continence advisor to help you to find and train these important muscles. "Tone up your pelvic floor", Chapter 2 of Inside Out - The essential guide to pelvic support guides you through finding your pelvic floor muscles and training them into their best possible condition, and a range of pelvic floor exercise aids are available to assist you. Regular pelvic floor exercises should be part of your weekly routine to keep your pelvic floor healthy and working as it should.
More information
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| Most popular choices for hysterectomy preparation: |
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