Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy
Types of hysterectomy
There are 2 types of hysterectomy:
total hysterectomy – removal of your uterus and cervix
sub-total hysterectomy – removal of your uterus only, leaving the cervix in place.
Your doctor may recommend removal of your fallopian tubes, as it might reduce the risk of some
ovarian cancers
that begin in the tubes.
Reasons for having a hysterectomy
There are many reasons you might need to have a hysterectomy. For example, if you have:
a condition that causes heavy bleeding (e.g.
fibroids
)
a condition that causes severe pain and discomfort (e.g. adenomyosis or
endometriosis
)
a
prolapse
– weakness of the tissues supporting your uterus and vaginal walls
chronic
pelvic inflammatory disease
cancer or pre-cancer of your
cervix
,
uterus
, ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Do you need a doctor’s referral?
Yes, you will need your doctor to refer you to a
gynaecologist
to perform the hysterectomy.
How is a hysterectomy performed?
There are different ways to perform a hysterectomy, including:
laparoscopic – keyhole surgery, performed through your abdomen, using a tube with a camera (laparoscope)
vaginal – surgery performed through your vagina
abdominal – surgery performed via your lower abdomen.
Your gynaecologist will advise which type of hysterectomy is right for you.
Risks associated with having a hysterectomy
As with any operation, there are some risks associated with having a hysterectomy. For example:
blood loss
infection
blood clots
a reaction to anaesthesia
damage to abdominal organs, such as the bladder, bowel or ureters.
Your gynaecologist will explain the risks in more detail.
After your hysterectomy
Recovery from a hysterectomy will depend on the type of operation you had and your general health before the operation. The average recovery time for a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy is up to 4 weeks. For an abdominal hysterectomy, recovery may take up to 6 weeks.
After a hysterectomy, you will not have periods or need
contraception
.
Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend
menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)
until the expected age of menopause. MHT will help with menopausal symptoms and reduce potential long-term health risks of
osteoporosis
and
cardiovascular disease
.
More information
For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link
.
Where to get help
GP (doctor)
Gynaecologist
Local women’s health centre
Community health centre
Family planning clinic
Jean Hailes for Women’s
Health
External Link