Why do women have hysterectomy

These include:. Each year in the United States, nearly , women get hysterectomies. The most common surgery in women is childbirth by cesarean delivery C-section. Whether your ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy may depend on the reason for your hysterectomy.

Ovaries may be removed during hysterectomy to lower the risk for ovarian cancer. However, women who have not yet gone through menopause also lose the protection of estrogen, which helps protect women from conditions such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Recent studies suggest that removing only the fallopian tubes but keeping the ovaries may help lower the risk for the most common type of ovarian cancer, which is believed to start in the fallopian tubes.

The decision to keep or remove your ovaries is one you can make after talking about the risks and benefits with your doctor. All women who have a hysterectomy will stop getting their period. Whether you will have other symptoms of menopause after a hysterectomy depends on whether your doctor removes your ovaries during the surgery. If you keep your ovaries during the hysterectomy , you should not have other menopausal symptoms right away. But you may have symptoms a few years younger than the average age for menopause 52 years.

Because your uterus is removed, you no longer have periods and cannot get pregnant. But your ovaries might still make hormones, so you might not have other signs of menopause. You may have hot flashes, a symptom of menopause, because the surgery may have blocked blood flow to the ovaries. This can prevent the ovaries from releasing estrogen.

If both ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy , you will no longer have periods and you may have other menopausal symptoms right away. Because your hormone levels drop quickly without ovaries, your symptoms may be stronger than with natural menopause. Ask your doctor about ways to manage your symptoms. A hysterectomy can be done in several different ways. It will depend on your health history and the reason for your surgery.

Talk to your doctor about the different options:. Recovering from a hysterectomy takes time. Most women stay in the hospital one to two days after surgery. Some doctors may send you home the same day of your surgery. Some women stay in the hospital longer, often when the hysterectomy is done because of cancer.

Your doctor will likely have you get up and move around as soon as possible after your hysterectomy. This includes going to the bathroom on your own. However, you may have to pee through a thin tube called a catheter for one or two days after your surgery. You should get plenty of rest and not lift heavy objects for four to six weeks after surgery.

At that time, you should be able to take tub baths and resume sexual intercourse. How long it takes for you to recover will depend on your surgery and your health before the surgery.

Talk to your doctor. Hysterectomy is a major surgery, so recovery can take a few weeks. But for most women, the biggest change is a better quality of life. You should have relief from the symptoms that made the surgery necessary. It might. If you had a good sex life before your hysterectomy, you should be able to return to it without any problems after recovery. Many women report a better sex life after hysterectomy because of relief from pain or heavy vaginal bleeding.

If your hysterectomy causes you to have symptoms of menopause, you may experience vaginal dryness or a lack of interest in sex. Using a water-based lubricant can help with dryness. Talk to your partner and try to allow more time to get aroused during sex. Talk with your doctor and get more tips in our Menopause and sexuality section.

You will still need regular Pap tests or Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer if you:. For more information about hysterectomy, call the OWH Helpline at or contact the following organizations:. These are the tips and precautions you need to know about when it comes to approaching sex after a hysterectomy.

To end fibroid pain, this writer decided to get a hysterectomy at age She already had two children, so the deep feeling of loss after her…. Surgery may be an effective treatment for symptomatic fibroids. There are three types of surgery your doctor may recommend depending on the size….

You might wonder how sex is different after a hysterectomy, including where sperm goes. We've got answers to all your questions. If your menstrual period is consistently longer or heavier than normal, your doctor may recommend endometrial ablation. Learn more. The Internet is full of home remedies that supposedly cause abortion, but these approaches are often ineffective, dangerous, or both.

We'll explain…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Uterine fibroids. General abnormal bleeding. Uterine prolapse. Delivery complications. Side effects from hysterectomy. Benefits of hysterectomy.

What to consider before having a hysterectomy. The bottom line. Adenomyosis is where the tissue that normally lines the womb starts to grow within the muscular wall of the womb. A hysterectomy can cure adenomyosis, but will only be considered if all other treatments have failed and you do not want to have any more children. A prolapsed uterus happens when the tissues and ligaments that support the womb become weak, causing it to drop down from its normal position.

It may be recommended if the tissues and ligaments that support the womb are severely weakened and the woman does not want any more children. If the cancer has spread and reached an advanced stage, a hysterectomy may be the only possible treatment option.

If you have cancer , a hysterectomy may be the only treatment option. For other health problems, it's a good idea to ask yourself these questions before deciding to have the procedure:. Page last reviewed: 01 February Next review due: 01 February The most common reasons for having a hysterectomy include: heavy periods — which can be caused by fibroids pelvic pain — which may be caused by endometriosis, unsuccessfully treated pelvic inflammatory disease PID , adenomyosis or fibroids prolapse of the uterus cancer of the womb, ovaries or cervix Heavy periods Many women lose a large amount of blood during their periods.

For some women, the symptoms can have a significant impact on their quality of life. Surgery is sometimes the answer, but several nonsurgical approaches can make a big difference for many women. See what might work for you. Pelvic organ prolapse can cause a range of symptoms, including pelvic pain, pelvic fullness, urinary incontinence, and constipation.

Find out if you have any of the risk factors linked to this condition. Are you suffering with hot flashes, loss of interest in sex, vaginal dryness, and other frustrating menopausal symptoms? A range of safe, effective treatments can reduce endometriosis symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, menstrual pain, and problems getting pregnant.

If you feel pain down there, you may have vulvodynia, a condition that causes discomfort in the outer genital area.