Dr. Bryan F. Hodges, MD

Accepting New Patients

(875 Ratings)

Specializes in: Urogynecology

University of Washington School of Medicine

Professional interests include: abnormal uterine bleeding, hormone replacement therapy, hysterectomy (uterus removal), and more.

100 E. Idaho Street Suite 400
Boise, ID 83712

(208) 345-5250

Dr. Bryan F. Hodges, MD is an urogynecologist in Boise, ID specializing in urogynecology. He graduated from University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Bryan F. Hodges, MD is affiliated with St. Luke's Health System.

Office Locations

100 E. Idaho Street Suite 400
Boise, ID 83712

(208) 345-5250

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520 S. Eagle Road Suite 2110
Meridian, ID 83642

(208) 345-5250

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Some issues Dr. Bryan F. Hodges, MD can help you with:

Gynecologic Surgery

Gynecologic surgery is surgery performed on a woman's pelvic region. It is usually performed by an OB/GYN and can involve the bladder, rectum, or reproductive organs. Surgery in this area may be performed for many reasons, but the most common procedures include:

Hysterectomy
Fibroid removal
Treatment of endometriosis or other heavy bleeding
Cancer treatment, including cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers
Removal of ovarian cysts
Infertility treatment
Treatment for incontinence
Sterilization or 'tube-tying'
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse
Repair of vaginal tears

More and more, gynecologic surgery is moving towards the use of minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery uses several small incisions and tiny tools and scopes to perform the operation, rather than one large opening. While it is not appropriate in every case, minimally invasive surgery can lead to less scarring, less blood loss, faster recovery, and a lower chance for infection. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery may be performed with a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera on the end that allows the surgeon to see inside the body. It may also be performed robotically, using even smaller tools and cameras that a surgeon controls from a computer. Robotic surgery allows even better vision, precision, and control than laparoscopic surgery.

Over the course of a lifetime, many women need pelvic surgery to stay healthy. Qualified gynecologic surgeons will have the right tools at their disposal to provide care with a minimum of discomfort.

Hysterectomy (Uterus Removal)

A hysterectomy is an extremely common surgery performed to remove the uterus. Sometimes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or cervix will be removed as well. A woman who has had a hysterectomy will no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant.

There are a variety of reasons that women have hysterectomies, including:

Heavy bleeding or pain, such as that due to fibroids, endometriosis, or adenomyosis
Cancer
Prolapsed uterus, where the pelvic muscles can no longer completely hold the uterus in place

It is important to note that having any of these conditions does not necessarily mean that a hysterectomy is necessary. There are other available treatment options in most cases.

Although the uterus is responsible for a period, it is the ovaries that control the hormonal changes that women go through every month. So if a woman has a hysterectomy but keeps her ovaries, she might still experience hormonal swings every month even if she no longer has a period. Alternately, if a younger woman has a hysterectomy where her ovaries as removed, she will essentially be in immediate menopause.

A hysterectomy can be performed traditionally through one large cut in the abdomen, laparoscopically using tiny incisions and small tools, or through the vagina. Full recovery may take four to six weeks. After a hysterectomy, patients might experience sexual changes such as vaginal dryness or a change in libido. It is common to experience strong emotions after a hysterectomy, including both grief and relief. If a patient's ovaries were removed, they may be at higher risk for certain diseases, such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Taking hormonal birth control might reduce this risk.