Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is surgery to take out your uterus. This is the organ in your lower belly where a fetus grows during pregnancy. After a hysterectomy, you won't be able to get pregnant.

Other organs might also be removed if you have severe problems such as endometriosis or cancer. These organs include the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

There are many different ways to do hysterectomy surgery. The most common procedures are:

Abdominal hysterectomy.

In this procedure, the doctor makes a cut in your belly. The doctor takes out the uterus through this cut.

Vaginal hysterectomy.

The doctor takes out the uterus through your vagina. The doctor makes a small cut in the vagina instead of the belly.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy.

The doctor puts a lighted tube (laparoscope) through small cuts in your belly. The doctor can see your organs with the scope. The doctor can insert surgical tools to remove the uterus through the belly or the vagina.

Sometimes there is a health reason to have your ovaries removed. Maybe you have a tumor on an ovary or are at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer. You may be able to choose whether to have one, both, or part of your ovaries removed based on what you prefer and your condition.

There are three major types of hysterectomy. Which type you have will depend on the reason for the surgery. Your doctor will consider the size and position of your uterus and your overall health.

Total hysterectomy

This is surgery to remove the uterus and the cervix. The cervix is the lower "neck" of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

Supracervical hysterectomy

This surgery removes the uterus, but it leaves the cervix in place. It's also known as a subtotal or partial hysterectomy.

Radical hysterectomy

This removes the uterus, the cervix, part of the vagina, and some tissues around these organs. The ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. It may be done to treat endometriosis or cancer of the uterus, ovaries, or cervix.