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Hysterectomy: 6 Things Women Should Know

This content is selected and controlled by WebMD's editorial staff and is funded by Vivelle-Dot.

A New Take on Hysterectomy

Advances in surgery let women recover faster, with little or no scar.

Hysterectomy: Making Your Decision on Surgery

Which Type of Hysterectomy Is Right for You?
There are many different ways to do a hysterectomy. The ideal surgery for each woman depends on her particular medical problem. What’s best for you?
Hysterectomy Recovery: What Can You Expect?
Recovering from a hysterectomy is easier and quicker than in the past. But your body does need time to heal, and complications can occur.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy: Your Other Options
It’s good to know all your options before you undergo a hysterectomy. Here are alternative treatments for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, and heavy bleeding.

Should You Take Estrogen After Your Hysterectomy?

In younger women, hysterectomy can bring on sudden menopause.

Which type of estrogen is right for your needs?

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Recipe for Health: Diet, Stress Reduction, and Fitness Tips
After a hysterectomy, you need to stick to a healthy lifestyle. You may face weight gain, stress, problems sleeping. Your hormones are changing, and so is your body.
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Vivelle-Dot is available by prescription only. Please ask your doctor if Vivelle-Dot is right for you.

What is Vivelle-Dot used for?

Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to:

  • reduce moderate to severe hot flashes
  • treat moderate to severe dryness, itching, and burning in and around the vagina
  • treat certain conditions in which a young woman’s ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally
  • help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones).
Important Safety Information
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT VIVELLE-DOT (AN ESTROGEN HORMONE)?
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).

Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant. The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.

Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching, and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman’s ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.

You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What's the reason for your hysterectomy?