Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term CarePotential RisksNext in Hysterectomy GuideHysterectomy: How to Prepare
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Purpose
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Potential Risks
Next in Hysterectomy Guide
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman’suterus, commonly known as her womb. In some cases, other reproductive organs (e.g., ovaries, cervix) may also be removed during this procedure. While generally considered very safe, there are risks involved. The pros of its use in treating uterine cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and other issues must be carefully weighed against the cons in every woman’s specific case.
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What Is a Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a common surgery performed in adult women. It is usually a scheduled surgery performed as an inpatient procedure. Very rarely, a hysterectomy is performed as an emergency—often for complications related to childbirth.
During a hysterectomy, a surgeon will separate the uterus from the ligaments and tissues that hold it in place. The uterus is then removed from the body.
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This decision depends on the reason for the surgery. For example, a woman who hascancer of the uterususually has her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed along with her uterus. On the other hand, a woman who has chronic bleeding problems may have only the uterus removed.
The extent of the procedure is what defines its type:
Once the surgeon has inspected the organ(s) and determined that the surgery is complete, any incisions are closed.
Various Surgical Approaches
When performing a hysterectomy, there arethree different surgical approachesthat can be used:
The approach a surgeon chooses depends on several factors, such as:
Vaginal hysterectomy is generally the preferred approach while an abdominal hysterectomy is the least favored approach.
When compared to a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy, an abdominal hysterectomy is associated with an increased risk of complications (e.g., infection and bleeding), as well as a longer hospital stay and recovery time.
Contraindications
There are really no absolute contraindications to undergoing a hysterectomy. However, once a hysterectomy is performed, a woman will no longer menstruate and cannot become pregnant, which may be a deciding factor against the surgery for some.
There may be issues that end up being relative contraindications, however. For example, certain conditions may make a vaginal hysterectomy more challenging, such as:
Purpose of Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is usually performed to treat one of the below conditions:
Once a woman has a hysterectomy, she will no longer be able to carry a child. Therefore, many women in their childbearing years attempt other less-invasive ways to treat their condition. In some instances though, as with cancer, a hysterectomy may be a woman’s only treatment option.
Possible Hysterectomy Complications and Side Effects
Preparing for your hysterectomy usually begins with meeting with your surgeon and anesthesia team about a week or so before your surgery.
During these appointments, the following issues will be discussed:
Hysterectomy: How to Prepare
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Your hysterectomy will usually be performed undergeneral anesthesiain the surgical ward of a hospital, although a laparoscopic hysterectomy may be performed in an outpatient surgical center.
On the day of your hysterectomy, you will be advised to wear comfortable clothes and arrive about two hours before your scheduled time.
You will also be asked to bring the following items:
Once you arrive at the hospital, you will change into a gown and relax in a preoperative room where a nurse will administer fluids and/or medications through a small needle in your arm. You will also see your surgeon and someone from the anesthesia team before going into the operating room.
How a Hysterectomy Is Performed
Recovery from a hysterectomy depends somewhat on the type of hysterectomy performed.
While an abdominal hysterectomy generally requires a two- to three-night overnight hospital stay, you may only stay one night (or even go home the same day) with a laparoscopic hysterectomy.
During your recovery, you will experience various symptoms. Some, like pain and constipation, may be temporary and last a few days to a week. Others, such as vaginal bleeding and discharge, may last several weeks.
In addition to providing you with guidance on how to best manage your symptoms, your healthcare provider will also give you instructions on activity restrictions (e.g., sex, driving, going back to work, and more) and when to come in for follow-up appointments.
Keep in mind that recovering from a hysterectomy is more than a physical process—it’s also an emotional one, too.
Women have different experiences. Many are relieved that their symptoms are gone. Others mourn the loss of their fertility, or perhaps worry about their future if the hysterectomy was performed to treat cancer.Symptoms of depressionmay also crop up during your recovery.
It’s important to lean on others for support and seek help processing these emotions, if you need it.
Complete recovery for an abdominal hysterectomy is approximately six to 12 weeks. It’s usually sooner for a vaginal hysterectomy and may be only a week for a laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy: Recovery
Undergoing a hysterectomy is a permanent decision that requires long-term care. Even after you recover physically, there are still follow-up appointments. You may also need to have further procedures performed.
For example, if you underwent a hysterectomy for uterine cancer, you may require an additional surgery like a pelviclymph nodedissection forstaging purposes.If you had your ovaries removed, you will experience surgical menopause, which causes symptoms like:
Hormone replacement therapymay be recommended to ease these symptoms and also help preventosteoporosis, which is a complication of menopause.
Other long-term lifestyle adjustments after a hysterectomy include:
Hysterectomy: Long-Term Care
There are always potential risks associated with undergoing surgery, and a hysterectomy is no exception.
Possible (although overall rare)complicationsthat may arise from a hysterectomy include:
A Word From Verywell
If you are considering a hysterectomy, learning more about this type of surgery and its complex physical and emotional effects is a proactive, positive step.
For many women, their quality of life after a hysterectomy is improved. That said, deciding to undergo a hysterectomy is a personal decision—one that requires careful and thoughtful consideration.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y et al.Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review.Medicine (Baltimore).2017 Nov; 96(45): e8443. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008443Stanford Health Care.Techniques: Our Approach to Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Committee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Schindlbeck C, Klauser K, Dian D, Janni W, Friese K.Comparison of total laparoscopic, vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Apr;277(4):331-7.Einarsson JI, Suzuki Y.Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: 10 Steps Toward a Successful Procedure.Rev Obstet Gynecol.2009 Winter; 2(1): 57–64.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Papadopoulos MS, Tolikas AC, Miliaras DE.Hysterectomy-current methods and alternatives for benign indications. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2010;2010. doi:10.1155/2010/356740Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerAmerican Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerClarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594Forsgren C, Altman D.Risk of Pelvic Organ Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol.2010 Oct;22(5):404-7. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833e49b0Additional ReadingCommittee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Doucette RC, Sharp HT, Alder SC.Challenging generally accepted contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2001 Jun;184(7):1386-9; discussion 1390-1.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zhang Y et al.Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review.Medicine (Baltimore).2017 Nov; 96(45): e8443. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008443Stanford Health Care.Techniques: Our Approach to Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Committee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Schindlbeck C, Klauser K, Dian D, Janni W, Friese K.Comparison of total laparoscopic, vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Apr;277(4):331-7.Einarsson JI, Suzuki Y.Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: 10 Steps Toward a Successful Procedure.Rev Obstet Gynecol.2009 Winter; 2(1): 57–64.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Papadopoulos MS, Tolikas AC, Miliaras DE.Hysterectomy-current methods and alternatives for benign indications. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2010;2010. doi:10.1155/2010/356740Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerAmerican Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerClarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594Forsgren C, Altman D.Risk of Pelvic Organ Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol.2010 Oct;22(5):404-7. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833e49b0Additional ReadingCommittee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Doucette RC, Sharp HT, Alder SC.Challenging generally accepted contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2001 Jun;184(7):1386-9; discussion 1390-1.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zhang Y et al.Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review.Medicine (Baltimore).2017 Nov; 96(45): e8443. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008443Stanford Health Care.Techniques: Our Approach to Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Committee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Schindlbeck C, Klauser K, Dian D, Janni W, Friese K.Comparison of total laparoscopic, vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Apr;277(4):331-7.Einarsson JI, Suzuki Y.Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: 10 Steps Toward a Successful Procedure.Rev Obstet Gynecol.2009 Winter; 2(1): 57–64.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.Papadopoulos MS, Tolikas AC, Miliaras DE.Hysterectomy-current methods and alternatives for benign indications. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2010;2010. doi:10.1155/2010/356740Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hysterectomy.American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial CancerAmerican Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical CancerClarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594Forsgren C, Altman D.Risk of Pelvic Organ Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol.2010 Oct;22(5):404-7. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833e49b0
Zhang Y et al.Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review.Medicine (Baltimore).2017 Nov; 96(45): e8443. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008443
Stanford Health Care.Techniques: Our Approach to Hysterectomy.
American Cancer Society. (March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
Committee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112
Schindlbeck C, Klauser K, Dian D, Janni W, Friese K.Comparison of total laparoscopic, vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Apr;277(4):331-7.
Einarsson JI, Suzuki Y.Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: 10 Steps Toward a Successful Procedure.Rev Obstet Gynecol.2009 Winter; 2(1): 57–64.
Papadopoulos MS, Tolikas AC, Miliaras DE.Hysterectomy-current methods and alternatives for benign indications. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2010;2010. doi:10.1155/2010/356740
Cooper R, Mishra G, Hardy R, Kuh D.Hysterectomy and subsequent psychological health: findings from a British birth cohort study.J Affect Disord.2009;115(1-2):122-30. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2008.08.017
Harnod T, Chen W, Wang J-H, Lin S-Z, Ding D-C.Hysterectomies Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Depression: A Population-Based Cohort Study.J Clin Med.2018 Oct; 7(10): 366. doi:10.3390/jcm7100366
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hysterectomy.
American Cancer Society. (Revised March 2019).Surgery for Endometrial Cancer
American Cancer Society. (Revised December 2018).The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer
Clarke-Pearson DL, Geller EJ.Complications of hysterectomy.Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Mar;121(3):654-73. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3182841594
Forsgren C, Altman D.Risk of Pelvic Organ Fistula in Patients Undergoing Hysterectomy.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol.2010 Oct;22(5):404-7. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e32833e49b0
Committee on Gynecologic Practice.Committee Opinion No 701: Choosing the Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease.Obstet Gynecol.2017 Jun;129(6):e155-e159. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002112Doucette RC, Sharp HT, Alder SC.Challenging generally accepted contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2001 Jun;184(7):1386-9; discussion 1390-1.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020).Frequently Asked Questions: Hysterectomy.
Doucette RC, Sharp HT, Alder SC.Challenging generally accepted contraindications to vaginal hysterectomy.Am J Obstet Gynecol.2001 Jun;184(7):1386-9; discussion 1390-1.
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