If your doctor and you have talked about having a hysterectomy, it’s safe to say you may be feeling overwhelmed. Removal of the uterus (sometimes along with the ovaries and/or the cervix) – constitutes something of a loss. That’s why it’s important to learn about all your options.

Hysterectomy may be performed to treat conditions that affect the uterus, including fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic support problems (such as uterine prolapse), abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic plan and cancer.

Questions you may want to ask yourself and your doctor
Have I tried all the alternative treatments?
Are my symptoms so unbearable as to make my life miserable?
Will the operation relieve all my symptoms?
Could there be any unexpected consequences?
Am I prepared for an earlier menopause? 
Do I still want to have children?
What will happen if I decide not to have a hysterectomy?
Ways the hysterectomy is performed.
Risks of the surgery.
Recovery after surgery.

Types of hysterectomy
The type of hysterectomy your doctor recommends will depend on your individual condition.

Abdominal Hysterectomy
• Uterus removed through incision in abdomen
• Gives the surgeon a good view of the uterus and other organs, especially helpful for large tumors or risk of cancer.
• Longer recovery time and abdominal scarring are considerations.

Vaginal Hysterectomy
• Uterus removed through vagina.
• No abdominal scarring; slightly shorter recovery time.

Laparoscopically-assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy
• Uterus removed through vagina; surgeon can see pelvic organs on a screen, through a light-transmitting laparoscope
• Additional small cuts made in the abdomen to assist the surgery
• Recovery similar to vaginal hysterectomy however the procedure may take longer.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
• Two types: laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH), which leaves the cervix in place; and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), which removes both the uterus and the cervix.
• Uterus removed in small pieces through small incisions in the abdomen.
• Shorter recovery time than abdominal and possibly vaginal hysterectomy.

DaVinci® Hysterectomy
• Enables a complex surgery through tiny surgical openings in the abdomen; surgical maneuvers are entirely directed by the physician.
• Shorter hospital stay, less pain, faster recovery
• View our Virginia Women's Center doctor skilled in daVinci® hysterectomy
• Read about our patients’ experience with daVinci® hysterectomy here

Additional Information
• Hysterectomy
• Laparoscopically-assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH)
• Hysterectomy Options
• What 100,000 Women Know About Hysterectomy