What is a Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy removes the uterus and the attached cervix.
The type of hysterectomy you have will depend on the reason for treatment.
Types of Hysterectomies
There are several types of hysterectomies. Your doctor will discuss the risks, benefits and potential side effects of each procedure. It’s important to ask your doctor if removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes
during your hysterectomy is recommended. Types of hysterectomies include:
- Total hysterectomy removes the entire uterus and the cervix (most common type).
- Partial hysterectomy (also called supracervical hysterectomy) removes only the uterus, leaving behind the cervix (research is ongoing about the risks and benefits of leaving the cervix intact).
- A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix and upper part of the vagina (usually for cancer treatment).
How long does hysterectomy surgery take?
Hysterectomy surgery can take between one and four hours. The duration of surgery depends on the type of procedure you have and how it is performed.
Reasons for a Hysterectomy
There are a variety of reasons your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy, including:
- Abnormal bleeding
- Adenomyosis
- Dysmenorrhea (painful menses)
- Endometriosis
- Gynecologic cancers, including cancer of the uterus, ovary, cervix or endometrium
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
- Fibroids
- Uterine prolapse, which may be combined with bladder repair
- Gender affirmation for males who are transgender and people who are nonbinary
Abdominal Hysterectomy
A surgeon performs an abdominal, or open, hysterectomy through an incision (cut) in your abdomen. The incision can be horizontal and low on your belly, just above your pubic bone, or vertical extending up to or beyond
the belly button, depending on the indication for surgery and the size of the pathology.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
In many cases, a hysterectomy can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed through small incisions in your abdomen instead of one large incision.
A surgeon inserts an endoscope (a thin video camera) through one incision. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to view your pelvic organs on a video monitor. The abdomen is distended with gas to create a space to operate
in. Small surgical tools are used in the other incisions to remove your uterus intact or in sections.
FAQs
Some of the most common side effects of a hysterectomy are vaginal drainage (which may occur up to six weeks after surgery), irritation at the incision sites and hot flashes.
Most people recover from a hysterectomy in about four to six weeks. Your recovery depends on the type of hysterectomy you had and how the surgery was performed.
- You can experience light vaginal bleeding for one to six weeks. Use only a light panty liner or sanitary pad to catch the discharge.
- Don’t lift heavy objects (more than 1.5 kg) for at least four to six weeks.
- Don’t put anything into your vagina for four to six weeks.
- Don’t have sex for six weeks after surgery.
- You may take a shower. Wash the incision with soap and water
- You can drive about two weeks after abdominal surgery. If you had a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy, you might begin driving within a few days.
- Resume your exercise routine in four to six weeks, depending on how you feel.
- You can usually go back to work in three to six weeks, depending on what kind of work you do.
This depends on whether your ovaries were removed. If your ovaries remain after a hysterectomy, you won’t enter menopause right away. If both of your ovaries were removed during the hysterectomy, you might enter menopause immediately.
After you have a hysterectomy, your other organs move to fill the space. Your small and large intestines mainly fill the space once occupied by your uterus
