Table of Contents
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. The ovaries may also be removed, although this is not necessary for fibroid treatment. Hysterectomy is a permanent solution for fibroids, and is an option if other treatments have not worked or are not appropriate.
A woman cannot become pregnant after having a hysterectomy. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus, hysterectomy causes immediate menopause.
Types of Hysterectomies
Once a decision for a hysterectomy has been made, the patient should discuss with her doctor what will be removed. The common choices are:
- Total hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix).
- Subototal, also called supracervical hysterectomy (removal of uterus and preservation of the cervix).
- Oophorectomy (removal of an ovary). Bilateral oopherectomy is the removal of both ovaries. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries). These procedures can be performed with either total or supracervical hysterectomy.
Types of Hysterectomy Procedures
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Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor
of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts
General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
