Hysterectomy Support Group

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually done by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total (removing the body and cervix of the uterus) or partial (also called supra-cervical). Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) with the uterus is called an ovariohysterectomy or "total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy" (abbreviated TAH-BSO), a method used in spaying. However, the term "hysterectomy" is often used colloquially, yet incorrectly, to refer to any procedure involving the removal of any of the female reproductive organs. According to the National Center For Health Statistics, of the 617,000 hysterectomies performed in 2004, 73% also involved the surgical removal of the ovaries. In the United States, 1/3 of women can be expected to have a hysterectomy by age 60. There are currently an estimate of 22 million women in the United States who have undergone this procedure.

Although more hysterectomies are performed via a full abdominal laparotomy with a lengthy incision, the uterus can also be removed with a vaginal hysterectomy or a laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Whether the surgery is performed abdominally, vaginally, or laparoscopically a hormone responsive sex organ is removed, the vagina is shortened, and uterus is removed.

The newest technique is robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy. Unlike open abdominal hysterectomies, robotic hysterectomy does not require a large incision. It instead requires a few tiny incisions, just large enough to allow the passage of thin instruments. This method substantially reduces pain, blood loss, scarring, risk of infection, and it shortens hospital stay.

There is also Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy. Like Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy it requires a minimum of three incisions. The body of the uterus is removed, leaving the cervical stump.

Although there are conservative alternatives, hysterectomy is performed for uterine fibroids, pelvic pain (including endometriosis, adenomyosis), pelvic relaxation (or prolapse), heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding, and cancer, but alternative options need to be recommended before surgery. Hysterectomy is also a surgical last resort in uncontrollable postpartum obstetrical haemorrhage. Uterine fibroids, although a benign disease, may cause heavy menstrual flow and discomfort to some women. Many alternative treatments are available Pharmaceutical (the use of NSAIDs for the pain or hormones to suppress the menstrual cycle), myomectomy, and often no treatment is necessary. If the fibroids are inside the lining of the uterus, submucosal, and are smaller than 4cm, hysteroscopic removal is an option. A submucosal fibroid larger than 4cm and fibroids located in other parts of the uterus can be removed with a myomectomy where a horizontal incision is made above the pubic bone.

Transsexuals undergoing sex reassignment surgery as part of a female-to-male (FTM) transition commonly have elective hysterectomies and oophorectomies to remove the primary sources of female hormone production. For health reasons, some FTMs have these organs removed prior to full sex reassignment surgery, as it reduces risk for developing Polycystic ovary syndrome and other ovarian and uterine problems due to the higher doses of testosterone being administered as part of the process; some, however, wait to have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as part of the full sex reassignment surgery procedure to avoid having multiple surgeries over the course of their transitions.