Hysterectomy

“If your doctor has recommended hysterectomy,
and you are still unsure, it is a good idea to have
a further discussion with your specialist. Alternatively…”.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: What Is A Hysterectomy? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Healths (JH) definition is:

“A hysterectomy is an operation to remove the uterus (womb)”.2

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

“A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus). You’ll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation”.3

The Australasian Menopause Society’s definition is:

“A hysterectomy is surgical removal of a woman’s uterus. Diagnosis of perimenopause/menopause depends on the presence of menopausal symptoms due to by the absence of menses in hysterectomised women. In pre-menopausal women, ovarian function will continue normally in most women although there is a small risk of an earlier menopause”.4

Vaginal Hysterectomy

What is a vaginal hysterectomy?

DotS the definition of a vaginal hysterectomy may vary. In Vaginal Hysterectomy: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Vaginal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus through the vagina.

During a vaginal hysterectomy, the surgeon detaches the uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes and upper vagina, as well as from the blood vessels and connective tissue that support it, before removing the uterus”.5

Total Hysterectomy

What is a total hysterectomy?

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

  • “Total hysterectomy – the womb and cervix (neck of the womb) are removed; this is the most commonly performed operation”.6

The JH’s definition is:

  • “A total hysterectomy means both the uterus and the cervix (neck of the womb) are removed, whilst the woman keeps her ovaries”.7

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. The NHS’s definition is:

  • “Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy – the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) are removed”.8

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”.9

The JH note:

  • “A subtotal means the cervix is not removed”.10

Common or Not

How common are hysterectomies?

In Hysterectomy: How Common Are Hysterectomies? according to the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov, in 2010:

“Each year in the United States, nearly 500,000 women get hysterectomies. A hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women in the United States. The most common surgery in women is childbirth by cesarean delivery (C-section)”.11

Pap Tests

Do women still need regular Pap tests after a hysterectomy?

Womenshealth.gov note:

“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

Menopause

Does having a hysterectomy put you into menopause?

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

Hysterectomy

“Sometimes there is confusion about whether having a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) will put you into menopause. If your uterus is removed but you still have your ovaries, you will not necessarily go straight into menopause.

Ten to 12% of women who have a hysterectomy and keep their ovaries have menopause about 1-4 years earlier than their expected menopause. For most women, menopause occurs at the same time and with the same symptoms as if they had not had a hysterectomy”.13

Menopause Symptoms

Are the menopause symptoms related to induced menopause similar to those from natural menopause?

In Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause: Q. I’m facing a hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries, so I’m going to have an induced menopause. Is it different from natural menopause? the NAMS note:

“A. Menopause symptoms related to induced menopause can be similar to those from natural menopause, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. But premenopausal women who experience induced menopause can have more intense symptoms, and therefore, a greater need for treatment to control them than women who undergo natural menopause. And because you may be going through menopause at a young age, you need ongoing monitoring and sometimes treatment to lower your risk of menopause-associated diseases, such as osteoporosis, later in life”.14

Hysterectomy or Not

What if I am unsure about having a hysterectomy?

The JH explain:

“Having a hysterectomy is major surgery. The decision to have a hysterectomy should only be made after you have been given adequate information about why you need one, how the surgery will be performed, what will happen to your body and what the consequences may be. It is also important to think about how you may feel about losing your uterus and whether you need help and support coping with those feelings”.15

In Hysterectomy the Womenshealth.gov answer questions about hysterectomy.

In Hysterectomy: Considerations the NHS explain some of the decisions you may be required to make.

In Hysterectomy: Questions To Think About the JH include questions you may like to consider “when thinking about whether or not to have a hysterectomy”.

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

“If your doctor has recommended hysterectomy, and you are still unsure, it is a good idea to have a further discussion with your specialist. Alternatively, you could seek a second opinion”.16

Health Care Provider

What if I have not bounced back after a hysterectomy?

If you have not bounced back after a hysterectomy it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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:

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.

  1. Abdominal Hysterectomy
  2. Abdominal Hysterectomy
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Menopause?]
  4. Association of Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy With All Cause and Cause Specific Mortality: Population Based Cohort Study
  5. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  6. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  7. Bleeding After Hysterectomy: What’s Normal?
  8. Breaking the Silence on Early Menopause
  9. Causes of Menopause
  10. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  12. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  13. Complementary and Herbal Therapies for Hot Flushes
  14. Consumer Health: Is Prophylactic Oophorectomy Right for You?
  15. Consumer Health: Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy and Heart Health
  16. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  17. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  18. Fast Facts: HRT and Breast Cancer Risk
  19. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  20. Find An AMS Doctor [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] Hysterectomy
  23. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  24. Heavy Bleeding
  25. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. How Right Now
  27. Hysterectomy
  28. Hysterectomy
  29. Hysterectomy
  30. Hysterectomy
  31. Hysterectomy
  32. Hysterectomy
  33. Hysterectomy
  34. Hysterectomy
  35. Hysterectomy Checkpoints
  36. Hysterectomy Types
  37. Hysterectomy – Abdominal – Discharge [Going Home]
  38. Hysterectomy – Multiply Languages
  39. Hysterectomy: Alternatives
  40. Hysterectomy: Considerations
  41. Hysterectomy: How It’s Performed
  42. Hysterectomy: Recovery
  43. Hysterectomy: Recovery and Outlook
  44. Hysterectomy: Should You Have A Hysterectomy?
  45. Hysterectomy: What You Need To Know
  46. Hysterectomy: Why It’s Necessary
  47. Hystersisters.com [HysterSisters Women-To-Women Hysterectomy Support]
  48. Iapmd.org [International Association for Premenstrual Disorders]
  49. Let’s Talk About Menopause | Aware Webinar
  50. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  51. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
  52. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  53. Mayo Clinic Minute: Lifestyle Changes To Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  54. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Estrogen Replacement Therapy After Ovary Removal
  55. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment [+ Video]
  56. Menopause
  57. Menopause
  58. Menopause
  59. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  60. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause: Q. I’m facing a hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries, so I’m going to have an induced menopause. Is it different from natural menopause?
  61. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  62. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  63. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  64. Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  65. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  66. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  67. Oestrogen Only Menopausal Hormone Therapy
  68. Oophorectomy (Ovary Removal Surgery)
  69. Ovarian Cancer: Still Possible After Hysterectomy?
  70. Ovary Removal (Oophorectomy): A Risk Factor for Dementia
  71. Pap Smear: Still Needed After Hysterectomy?
  72. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  73. Sexual Health – Sex After Hysterectomy
  74. Supporting Women Through Menopause
  75. Surgical Menopause
  76. The Menopause: Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50’s]
  77. The Menopause: Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  78. The Menopause: Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
  79. Transformations: The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  80. Types of Hysterectomy Surgery [+ Images]
  81. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  82. Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
  83. Vaginal Hysterectomy
  84. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  85. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  86. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  87. Video Series-2021: What You Need to Know About the #1 Cause of Death in Women
  88. Video Series-2021: What Women Need to Know About Hormone Therapies
  89. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Menopause Brain Fog Real?
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  91. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Menopause More Than Hot Flashes
  92. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  93. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2021 – Interviews: Bone Health What Why and How
  94. Webinars: Previous – Breast Cancer
  95. Webinars: Previous – Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease With MHT: Where Are We Now?
  96. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  97. What Is A Hysterectomy?
  98. Women’s Wellness: Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Happen After Menopause
  99. Women’s Wellness: Hysterectomy Associated With Risk of Mental Health Issues
  100. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Hysterectomy: What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  2. Hysterectomy: What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  3. Hysterectomy: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 01 February 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  4. Glossary of Terms: Hysterectomy. Content Updated: February 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/381-glossary-of-terms Accessed: 01 March 2022
  5. Vaginal Hysterectomy: Overview. 25 February 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vaginal-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384541 Accessed: 01 March 2022
  6. Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy. Page Last Reviewed: 01 February 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/#types-of-hysterectomy Accessed: 01 March 2022
  7. Hysterectomy: What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  8. Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy. Page Last Reviewed: 01 February 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/#types-of-hysterectomy Accessed: 01 March 2022
  9. Hysterectomy: Overview – Types of Hysterectomy. Page Last Reviewed: 01 February 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/#types-of-hysterectomy Accessed: 01 March 2022
  10. Hysterectomy: What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  11. Hysterectomy: How Common Are Hysterectomies? Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. 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: 01 March 2022
  12. Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests? Page Last Updated: 01 April 2019. Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/hysterectomy?from=AtoZ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  13. Causes of Menopause: Induced Menopause – Menopause Due To Surgery: Hysterectomy. Last Updated: 23 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/causes-of-menopause Accessed: 01 March 2022
  14. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause: Q. I’m facing a hysterectomy with removal of my ovaries, so I’m going to have an induced menopause. Is it different from natural menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 01 March 2022
  15. Hysterectomy: What Is A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022
  16. Hysterectomy: Should You Have A Hysterectomy? Last Updated: 29 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 14 May 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/vulva-vagina-ovaries-uterus/hysterectomy/ Accessed: 01 March 2022

Topic Last Updated: 07 March 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 March 2022
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