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Overview
Hysterectomy

Overview

Why it's necessary

Considerations

How it's performed

Recovery

Complications

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to

remove the womb (uterus). You'll no longer be able
to get pregnant after the operation.

If you have not already gone through the

menopause, you'll no longer have periods,
regardless of your age.

It's more common for women aged 40 to 50.

Why do I need a hysterectomy?

Hysterectomies are carried out to treat health
problems that affect the female reproductive
system.

These include:

heavy periods

long-term pelvic pain

non-cancerous tumours (fibroids)

ovarian cancer, womb cancer, cervical cancer or

cancer of the fallopian tubes

A hysterectomy is a major operation with a long

recovery time and is only considered after less
invasive treatments have been tried.

Find out why a hysterectomy is needed

Things to consider
If you have a hysterectomy, as well as having your
womb removed, you may have to decide whether to
also have your cervix or ovaries removed.

Your decision will usually be based on your personal

feelings, medical history and any recommendations
your doctor may have.

Find out the things to consider before having a

hysterectomy

Types of hysterectomy
There are various types of hysterectomy. The type
you have depends on why you need the
operation and how much of your womb and
surrounding reproductive system can safely be left in
place.

The main types of hysterectomy are:

total hysterectomy – the womb and cervix (neck

of the womb) are removed; this is the most
commonly performed operation

subtotal hysterectomy – the main body of the

womb is removed, leaving the cervix in place

total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-

oophorectomy – the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes
(salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) are
removed

radical hysterectomy – the womb and

surrounding tissues are removed, including the
fallopian tubes, part of the vagina, ovaries, lymph
glands and fatty tissue

There are 3 ways to carry out a hysterectomy:

laparoscopic hysterectomy (keyhole surgery) –

where small cuts are made in the tummy and the
womb is removed through a cut in the vagina

vaginal hysterectomy – where the womb is

removed through a cut in the top of the vagina

abdominal hysterectomy – where the womb is

removed through a cut in the lower tummy

Find out how a hysterectomy is performed

Complications of a hysterectomy
There's a small risk of complications, including:

heavy bleeding

infection

damage to your bladder or bowel

a serious reaction to the general anaesthetic

Find out more about the complications of a

hysterectomy

Recovering from a hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a major operation. You can be in
hospital for up to 5 days after surgery, and it can
take about 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover.

Recovery times can also vary depending on the type

of hysterectomy.

Rest as much as possible during this time and do not

lift anything heavy, such as bags of shopping. You
need time for your abdominal muscles and tissues to
heal.

Find out more about recovering from a

hysterectomy

Surgical menopause
If your ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy,
you'll go through the menopause immediately after
the operation, regardless of your age. This is known
as a surgical menopause.

If 1 or both of your ovaries are left intact, there's a

chance you'll have the menopause sooner than you
would have if you did not have a hysterectomy.

If you experience a surgical menopause after having

a hysterectomy, you should be offered hormone
replacement therapy (HRT).

The female reproductive system

The female reproductive system is made up of the:

womb (uterus) – a pear-shaped organ in the

middle of your pelvis where a baby develops; the
lining of the womb is shed during a period

cervix – the neck of the womb, where the womb

meets the vagina; the cervix is the lower part of
the womb and not separate

vagina – a muscular tube below the cervix

fallopian tubes – tubes that connect the womb to

the ovaries

ovaries – small organs by the fallopian tubes that

release an egg each month

Page last reviewed: 11 October 2022

Next review due: 11 October 2025

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