Hysterectomy is a surgery to remove the uterus and fibroids, usually through an abdominal incision. The procedure requires the same hospitalization and recovery time as myomectomy. After the uterus is removed, a woman may not have any more children. If the ovaries are removed at the time of hysterectomy, a woman will enter into early menopause.

Hysterectomy may lead to bladder problems, even if none existed before surgery. Many women report a period of depression after this surgery. The uterus is intimately associated with feelings of sexuality and the possibility of bearing children. Patients should talk with friends who have had a hysterectomy before electing this final solution. Some women report a decreased sense of sexual arousal

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYSTERECTOMIES

All hysterectomies are major operations involving removal of at least the uterus. Some types of hysterectomies involve removing other organs as well. It is important to talk with your doctor about the kind of hysterectomy recommended for you.

TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY

This operation involves removing both the body of the uterus and the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus. The cervix is usually removed to prevent subsequent cervical cancer. It can sometimes be done through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy); at other times, a surgical incision in the lower belly (abdominal hysterectomy) is preferable. For example, if you have large fibroid tumors, it is difficult to safely remove the uterus through the vagina.

Vaginal hysterectomy, when it can safely be performed, generally involves fewer complications, a shorter recovery period and no visible scar.

In a total hysterectomy and bilateral (both sides) salpingo-oophorectomy, the ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed, along with the uterus and cervix. "Complete hysterectomy," which is sometimes used to refer to this procedure, is not a medical term.

SUBTOTAL HYSTERECTOMY

In this operation, only the upper part of the uterus is removed, but the cervix is not. Tubes and ovaries may or may not be removed. This procedure is always done through the abdomen.

RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY

This procedure is reserved for serious disease such as cancer. The entire uterus and usually both tubes and ovaries as well as the pelvic lymph nodes are removed through the abdomen. Since cancer is unpredictable, other organs or parts of other systems are sometimes removed as well.