3 September 2015
 Categories: , Blog

There are a lot of reasons for a woman to have a hysterectomy. They can range from extremely heavy periods to some kinds of cancer. Just as there are different reasons for you to have a hysterectomy, there are different kinds of hysterectomies. Getting certain kinds of hysterectomies will mean that you will have to have hormone replacement therapy after the surgery. This guide will explain the various types of hysterectomies and what they entail.

Sub-total/Partial Hysterectomy

In this form of hysterectomy, the uterus is removed, but the cervix is left in place. If the uterus is removed vaginally, the cervix will be separated from the top of the vagina and the bottom of the uterus so that the uterus can be slipped past it. After the uterus is out, the doctor will sew the cervix back to the top of the vagina. The ovaries are left in place. The reason to leave the ovaries in place, as long as they are healthy, is that they will continue to produce estrogen and other hormones until your body undergoes natural menopause. Even if your doctor has to remove one ovary, your body will still get enough hormones from the remaining ovary.  

Total Hysterectomy

If you get a total hysterectomy, your uterus is removed as well as your cervix. Generally, the uterus and cervix will be removed through an incision in the top of the vagina, even if the surgery is done laparoscopically. Again, the ovaries are left in place, but the fallopian tubes may be removed. There is mounting evidence that fallopian tubes are linked to ovarian cancer, so many doctors are just removing them as part of their normal routine.  

Total Hysterectomy with a Bilateral Salpingectomy and Oophorectomy

This is a lot of words to say that your hysterectomy will involve not just your uterus and cervix being removed, it will also involve your ovaries and fallopian tubes being removed. One reason to have a hysterectomy like this would be because you are in the early stages of cancer, or because you have a severe cancer risk. If you have this kind of hysterectomy, your doctor will prescribe a hormone replacement therapy because you will go into immediate menopause.

Radical Hysterectomy 

A radical hysterectomy involves taking everything out, as well as part of the vagina, fatty tissue surrounding the uterus, and the lymph nodes. The main reason to have this form of hysterectomy is because of cancer of the uterus or ovaries, or some other form of cancer that has spread to the reproductive organs. Your doctor may delay putting you on any kind of hormone replacement treatment until any other treatments you may be undergoing are finished.  

Whatever the reason you are having a hysterectomy, knowing what the different kinds of hysterectomies are can make the process easier on you. If you have further questions or concerns, contact a gynecologist at an establishment like Contemporary Women's Health Care.