It can be helpful to learn more about some of the terms you might hear at the doctor’s office related to hysterectomy. Women have a hysterectomy for several different reasons, including abnormal bleeding, fibroids, uterine prolaspe, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, and cancer of the reproductive organs.
There are 3 main types of hysterectomy:
- Total: This operation removes the cervix and uterus. This is the most common type of hysterectomy.
- Partial: A procedure to remove the upper part of the uterus while leaving the cervix in place.
- Radical: This procedure removes the uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix (parametrium), and the upper part of the vagina. This type of hysterectomy is typically performed when cancer is present.
Removal of one or both ovaries
is called a Salpingo Oophorectomy. If both ovaries are removed, surgical menopause will occur immediately.
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Hysterectomy Procedures
The type of surgery depends on the reason for the surgery. And recovery times vary for each:
- Abdominal Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure that removes the uterus through an incision in the lower abdomen.
- Vaginal Hysterectomy: An operation that removes the uterus through your vagina. Because the incision is made inside the vagina, no scarring occurs.
- Laparoscopy-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy: During this procedure, the doctor removes the uterus through the vagina with the assistance of a laparoscope, a light that allows the doctor to see the pelvic organs on screen while performing the surgery.
A hysterectomy will stop your monthly periods, making you unable to bear a child. If both ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy, your body will stop producing estrogen and you will immediately enter surgical menopause. Removal of the uterus alone will not cause menopause to occur immediately, but can cause you to go into menopause at an earlier age, depending on your ovarian function before the hysterectomy.
It may be helpful to talk with your doctor about estrogen therapy to manage the symptoms associated with surgical menopause before your hysterectomy. This way you’ll have less to think about after the surgery.