Hysterectomy

“A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus.
There are many reasons for having a hysterectomy.
For example, certain health conditions and diseases…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hysterectomy Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abdominal Hysterectomy
  • Hysterectomy
  • Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (Keyhole Surgery)
  • Partial Hysterectomy
  • Radial Hysterectomy
  • Subtotal Hysterectomy
  • Supracervical Hysterectomy
  • Total Hysterectomy
  • Total Hysterectomy With Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy
  • Total Hysterectomy With Oophorectomy
  • Vaginal Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy

What is a hysterectomy?

DotS the definition of a hysterectomy may vary. In Hysterectomy the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your uterus. There are many reasons for having a hysterectomy. For example, certain health conditions and diseases, persistent pelvic pain and cancer. If you have a hysterectomy, you will not be able to carry a pregnancy in the future”.2

In Hysterectomy: Overview – What Is A Hysterectomy? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus and, most likely, your cervix. Depending on the reason for the surgery, a hysterectomy may involve removing surrounding organs and tissues, like your fallopian tubes and ovaries.

You won’t be able to get pregnant and you won’t get your menstrual period after a hysterectomy”.3

Total Hysterectomy

What is a total hysterectomy?

DotS the definition of a total hysterectomy may vary. In Hysterectomy: Overview – What Is A Hysterectomy? Different Kinds of Hysterectomy the Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

  • “Total hysterectomy: Removing your uterus and cervix but leaving your ovaries. Because you still have your ovaries, you won’t enter menopause immediately after surgery. A total hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus which includes the cervix”.4

In Hysterectomy: What Are the Different Types of Hysterectomies? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

  • “A total hysterectomy removes all of the uterus, including the cervix. The ovaries and the fallopian tubes may or may not be removed. This is the most common type of hysterectomy”.5

Total Hysterectomy With Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

What is a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy?

DotS the definition of a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may vary. In What Is A Hysterectomy? Total Hysterectomy With Oophorectomy Hysterectomy.org’s definition is:

“A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, otherwise known as the womb. The removal of the ovaries in addition to a hysterectomy – is called an oophorectomy”.6

In Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy the (United Kingdom) NHS’s definition is:

  • “Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) are removed”.7

Subtotal Hysterectomy

What is a subtotal hysterectomy?

DotS the definition of a subtotal hysterectomy may vary. The NHS’s definition is:

  • “Subtotal hysterectomy – the main body of the womb is removed, leaving the cervix in place”.8

Hysterectomy Types

What are hysterectomy types?

In What Is A Hysterectomy? Hysterectomy.org elaborate on:

Hysterectomy Types

  • “Abdominal Hysterectomy…
  • Laparoscopic Hysterectomy…
  • Robotic Hysterectomy…
  • Vaginal Hysterectomy…”.

Hysterectomy Considerations

HysterectomyWhere may I find some hysterectomy considerations?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Hysterectomy Considerations

Common or Not

How common are hysterectomies?

In Hysterectomy: Overview – How Common Is It To Get A Hysterectomy? according to the Cleveland Clinic:

“Approximately 600,000 females get hysterectomies in the United States each year”.9

Menopause

Do most women who have a hysterectomy go straight into menopause?

In What Causes Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Hysterectomy the JH explain:

“A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus. Most women who have a hysterectomy do not go straight into menopause. But women who have a hysterectomy and keep their ovaries are more likely to have an earlier menopause”.10

Managing Menopause After Surgery

How can menopause be managed after surgery?

The JH note:

“If your menopause is caused by surgery, your oestrogen and testosterone hormones will suddenly drop, causing symptoms to be more severe than normal.

The best way to manage these symptoms is with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Your doctor can advise you about the risks and benefits of using MHT.

MHT may not be an option after surgical menopause (e.g. if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer). If this is the case, you can explore other options such as non-hormonal therapies, complementary therapies and medicines”.11

Pap Tests

Do women still need regular Pap tests after a hysterectomy?

Womenshealth.gov explain:

“Maybe. You will still need regular Pap tests (or Pap smear) to screen for cervical cancer if you:

  • Did not have your cervix removed
  • Had a hysterectomy because of cancer or precancer

Ask your doctor what is best for you and how often you should have Pap tests”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I am unsure about having a hysterectomy?

In Hysterectomy: Additional Details – A Note From Cleveland Clinic the Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Getting a hysterectomy can be an emotional experience. While it can offer relief and peace of mind, it can also be a difficult recovery and leave you with feelings of loss. If your healthcare provider recommends a hysterectomy, make sure you understand the procedure and how to safely recover from surgery. Be sure to follow their recommendations on things to avoid while you recover at home. Most people can go back to their usual activities six to eight weeks after a hysterectomy”.13

In Hysterectomy: Should You Have A Hysterectomy? the JH also caution:

“A hysterectomy is an irreversible procedure. There are many things to consider such as your plans to have children and the severity of your symptoms. You can ask your doctor about different options and the benefits and risks of each. If you are still unsure, you can talk to a specialist or get a second opinion”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hysterectomy?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hysterectomy?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Hysterectomy

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Abdominal Hysterectomy
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  3. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  4. Bleeding After Hysterectomy: What Can I Expect?
  5. Bleeding Between Periods? How To Tell If It’s A Problem
  6. British Gynaecological Cancer Society and British Menopause Society Guidelines Management of Menopausal Symptoms Following Treatment of Gynaecological Cancer [August 2024]
  7. Consider Before Your Hysterectomy
  8. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  12. Diagnosis
  13. Do You Go Through Menopause After A Hysterectomy?
  14. Does Every Woman NEED Systemic HRT
  15. Early and Premature Menopause [Video]
  16. Endometriosis
  17. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  18. FAQs: Hysterectomy
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  20. HysterectomyFind An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  21. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  22. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer, United States]
  23. Gynaecological Cancers – Ovaries and Uterus
  24. Gynaecological Cancers – Vaginal and Vulva
  25. Gynecologic Cancers
  26. Gynecological Cancer At the Menopause
  27. Gynecological Cancers
  28. HRT Questions Answered
  29. Heavy Periods
  30. Heavy Periods Symptom Checklist: Are My Periods Too Heavy?
  31. How Do You Know You’re In Menopause After A Hysterectomy? [Video]
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    Hysterectomy
  41. Hysterectomy: Alternatives
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  43. Hysterectomy: How It’s Performed
  44. Hysterectomy: Recovery
  45. Hysterectomy: Should You Have A Hysterectomy?
  46. Hysterectomy: What You Need To Know
  47. Hysterectomy: Why It’s Necessary
  48. Hystersisters.com [HysterSisters Women-to-Women Hysterectomy Support]
  49. I’ve Done Nearly 10,000 Hysteroscopies – This Is What You Need To Know!
  50. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  51. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
  52. Listen To These Symptoms: 9 Gynecologic Symptoms Women Should Not Ignore
  53. Mayo Clinic Minute: Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy [+ Video]
  54. Mayo Clinic Researchers Recommend Alternatives To Hysterectomy for Uterine Fibroids, According To Study
  55. Menopause
  56. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hysterectomy
  57. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  58. Menopause Q&A With Expert Cancer Support Specialists [+ Videos] [25 September 2024] [What Is Cancer Induced Menopause? [Video]
  59. Menopause and Mental Health
  60. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  61. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  62. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  63. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  64. Oophorectomy
  65. Oophorectomy (Ovary Removal Surgery)
  66. Ovarian Cancer: Still Possible After Hysterectomy?
  67. Ovarian Cancer/Primary Peritoneal
  68. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  69. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  70. Premature and Early Menopause
  71. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  72. Surgical and Chemical Menopause | Dr Louise Newson
  73. Surgical and Chemical Menopause | Dr Louise Newson [Video]
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  76. Understanding Gyn Cancers
  77. Understanding Premenstrual Disorders – PMDD and PME Explained [Video]
  78. Update on Endometriosis
  79. Uterine Cancer
  80. Uterine Cancer
    Hysterectomy
  81. Uterine Cancer Awareness Month: June Is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
  82. Uterine Cancer: Signs and Symptoms
  83. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer/GDT
  84. Vaginal Hysterectomy
  85. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  86. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
  87. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  88. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  89. Webinars: Previous – Non-Hormonal Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  90. Webinars: Previous – Non-Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  91. Webinars: Previous – Sexual Dysfunctions, Update on Gynae Cancers and Management
  92. What Causes Menopause? Menopause Due To Cancer
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  94. What Is A Hysterectomy?
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    Hysterectomy Hysterectomy Hysterectomy
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  98. World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women – The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  99. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Hysterectomy: Reasons for Having A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 20 December 2025 | Last Reviewed: 14 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 23 March 2025
  2. Hysterectomy. Last Updated: 20 December 2025 | Last Reviewed: 14 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 23 March 2025
  3. Hysterectomy: Overview – What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Reviewed: 31 May 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4852-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  4. Hysterectomy: Overview – What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Reviewed: 31 May 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4852-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  5. Hysterectomy: What Are the Different Types of Hysterectomies? Page Last Updated: 27 February 2025. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/hysterectomy.html?from=AtoZ Accessed: 23 March 2025
  6. What Is A Hysterectomy? What Is A Hysterectomy? Total Hysterectomy With Oophorectomy. Hysterectomy.org https://www.hysterectomy.org/what-is-a-hysterectomy/ Accessed: 23 March 2025
  7. Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy. Page Last Reviewed: 11 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/#types-of-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  8. Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy. Page Last Reviewed: 11 October 2022. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/#types-of-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  9. Hysterectomy: Overview – How Common Is it To Get A Hysterectomy? Last Reviewed: 31 May 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4852-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  10. What Causes Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Hysterectomy. Last Updated: 19 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause Accessed: 23 March 2025
  11. What Causes Menopause: Menopause Due To Surgery – Hysterectomy: Managing Menopause After Surgery. Last Updated: 19 September 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause Accessed: 23 March 2025
  12. Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/hysterectomy?from=AtoZ Accessed: 23 March 2025
  13. Hysterectomy: Additional Details – A Note From Cleveland Clinic. Last Reviewed: 31 May 2024. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/4852-hysterectomy Accessed: 23 March 2025
  14. Hysterectomy: Reasons for Having A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 20 December 2024 | Last Reviewed: 14 April 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 23 March 2025
Topic Last Updated: 23 March 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 March 2025

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