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A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. The hysterectomy is the second most frequently performed operation in the United States (following the Cesarean section). Most women who undergo a hysterectomy are between the ages of 35 and 54. Hysterectomies can greatly benefit women who need them but it is not always necessary. Usually the procedure is elective although in some cases, it is a life-saving, mandatory treatment. A hysterectomy is required if there is a presence of cancer, large fibroids, extreme uterine prolapse (the falling of the uterus) or heavy bleeding. Many women have elective hysterectomies thinking it will relieve symptoms affecting their physical and emotional health. Unfortunately, many people view the uterus as being a ‘useless organ’ when women are no longer able to have children and therefore undergo elective surgery. Before choosing to have a hysterectomy, you should carefully explore hysterectomy- alternatives and less invasive procedures if your condition is not life-threatening. It is your responsibility to understand the benefits, risks and physical and emotional aftermaths of surgery. If elective, your decision to have this surgery should be well-thought out and well-planned with your healthcare provider to understand all of the possible consequences. A hysterectomy can greatly improve your quality of life but also can have long-term effects on your health, longevity, sexuality and induces surgical menopause. Fast Facts About Hysterectomies The rate of hysterectomy (5.6 per 1,000 women in 2005) is three times as high in the United States as it is in the United Kingdom and other nations of Western Europe. Incidence of hysterectomy geographically varies in the US (in the Northeast, the rate is lower than both the Midwest or the South). Incidence of hysterectomy correlates to non-clinical characteristics of patients (socioeconomic status, provider variables such as physician training and gender of physician). Some healthcare professionals believe that at least one-quarter of all hysterectomies done every year in the United States are unnecessary. By age 65, more than 37% of all women in the US will have had a hysterectomy. Uterine fibroids account for approximately one-third of all hysterectomies performed in the US. Endometriosis accounts for 18% of conditions leading to hysterectomies. Annual hospital costs for hysterectomy exceed $5 billion per year.
Types of Hysterectomies Not all types of hysterectomy will trigger surgical menopause. See the types of hysterectomies listed below to find out if yours is likely to bring on surgical menopause. Subtotal hysterectomy Total hysterectomy Total hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy one or both of the ovaries is removed if only one ovary is removed, you will not experience surgical menopause; however, you will undergo natural menopause later on if both ovaries removed, you will probably experience surgical menopause
Radical (or Wertheim’s) hysterectomy one or both of the ovaries is removed if only one ovary is removed, you will not experience surgical menopause; however, you will undergo natural menopause later on if both ovaries are removed, you will probably experience surgical menopause
Partners in Hysterectomy Prime Plus/Red Hot Mamas in collaboration with Bruce Bekkar, MD and Novogyne Pharmaceuticals conducted a national educational initiative for couples’ education regarding hysterectomy—before and after. The program, “Partners in Hysterectomy” launched in October, 2005 at Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you are interested in exploring this topic more, please read our November, 2004 issue of the Prime Plus/Red Hot Mamas newsletter “The Menopause Minute”. This article is a good primer on hysterectomy as it details the processes of the surgery. Do you have questions about hysterectomies? Every year, approximately 600,000 women in the U.S. have hysterectomies - and each one of these women has questions, as do their husbands, boyfriends, children and friends. Their concerns may be about recovery: When will I be able to exercise following the surgery? Will I have hot flashes? You may have questions about the procedure itself: What exactly does the surgery entail? How long will it last, and how will I feel afterward? To help answer some questions surrounding this major yet common surgical procedure, view our Hysterectomy Questions for important questions to ask your healthcare professional before and after the procedure. For information on post-op recovery, please visit our hysterectomy recovery section. Other hysterectomy resources
There are a variety of resources for women on the web regarding advice from healthcare professionals on the topic including the following:
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Hysterectomy Primer 
