A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. It can treat heavy bleeding, chronic pain, fibroids, or cancer when other treatments haven’t worked. There are several surgical approaches and levels of removal, and the right one for you depends on your condition, your anatomy, and what your surgeon finds during evaluation. After a hysterectomy, you no longer have periods and can’t become pregnant.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a provider-patient relationship. Talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your specific situation. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. See our full Medical Disclaimer.
Warning Signs to Act On Right Away After Surgery
Like any major surgery, hysterectomy carries some risk of complications, including excess bleeding, infection, and blood clots. Treat any of the following as urgent, whether it happens in the hospital or after you go home:
- A fever
- Severe or worsening pelvic pain
- Heavy vaginal bleeding that soaks through a pad every hour
- Redness, swelling, or pain in one leg, which can signal a blood clot
- Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath, which can signal a blood clot in the lungs
- Dizziness or fainting
Call your provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away, including calling 911, if symptoms are severe.
The Three Main Types of Hysterectomy
“Type” refers to how much tissue is removed, separate from the surgical method used to remove it.
Total Hysterectomy
This is the most common type. It removes the entire uterus, including the cervix. The ovaries and fallopian tubes may or may not be removed, depending on your situation.
Partial (Subtotal or Supracervical) Hysterectomy
This removes just the upper part of the uterus and leaves the cervix in place. Your ovaries may or may not be removed.
Radical Hysterectomy
This removes the uterus, cervix, tissue on both sides of the cervix, and the upper part of the vagina. It’s most often used to treat certain cancers, such as cervical cancer. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may or may not be removed.
How the Surgery Can Be Performed
Your surgeon will recommend a method based on your general health, the reason for surgery, and factors like the size of your uterus.
- Abdominal hysterectomy — A cut is made in the lower belly. This may be recommended for a large uterus or when the surgeon needs to check other pelvic organs. It typically has a longer recovery than the other methods.
- Vaginal hysterectomy — A small cut is made inside the vagina, with no incision on the belly. This may not be an option if you have very large fibroids.
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy — A thin, lighted camera and small instruments are used through small cuts in the belly or vagina. This isn’t an option for every type of fibroid.
- Robotic-assisted surgery — The surgeon guides a robotic arm through small cuts in the belly.
Which method fits your situation is a decision you and your surgeon make together, based on your anatomy, medical history, and the reason for the surgery.
Conditions That May Lead to a Hysterectomy Recommendation
Hysterectomy is major surgery, so your provider will usually discuss other treatment options first. A hysterectomy may be recommended if you have:
- Fibroids, if you’re near or past menopause, have large fibroids, or very heavy bleeding
- Endometriosis that hasn’t improved with medicine or other surgery
- Uterine prolapse, when the uterus drops into the vagina
- Cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, or the lining of the uterus
- Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding that continues despite other treatment
- Chronic pelvic pain starting in the uterus, as a last resort since hysterectomy doesn’t resolve every type of pelvic pain
- Adenomyosis, only when pain is severe and other treatments haven’t worked
Alternatives Worth Discussing First
Depending on your diagnosis, your provider may suggest a less invasive option before surgery, such as:
- Medicine or hormone therapy
- An intrauterine device (IUD) that releases the hormone progestin
- Birth control pills, to help manage heavy or irregular bleeding
- Uterine artery embolization, a procedure that can shrink fibroids
- Endometrial ablation, a procedure that treats heavy bleeding by removing the uterine lining
- Pain medicine, for certain pain-related conditions
Whether any of these fit your case depends on your specific diagnosis, your symptoms, and your future pregnancy plans. This is a conversation to have directly with your provider — this page can’t tell you which option is right for you.
How to act on what you know about Hysterectomy
- Why is hysterectomy being recommended instead of a less invasive option, and what happens if I wait or try something else first?
- Which type of hysterectomy do you recommend, and will my cervix or ovaries be removed?
- Which surgical method do you plan to use, and why does it fit my case?
- What are the risks specific to my health history?
- What will recovery look like for me, including time off work and physical restrictions?
- If my ovaries are removed, will I need to manage menopause symptoms, and how?
- Will I still need Pap tests after surgery, and on what schedule?
- What follow-up appointments should I expect?
What Recovery Realistically Looks Like
Recovery generally takes four to six weeks, depending on the type of surgery you have. Abdominal hysterectomy typically has the longest recovery of the surgical methods. Your care team will give you specific instructions on activity limits, incision care, and when you can return to normal activities — follow their guidance rather than a general timeline, since healing varies by person and by procedure.
Where current knowledge about Hysterectomy stops
This page describes general categories of surgery, not a personalized surgical plan. Some situations change which type or method is appropriate, including a very large uterus, extensive scar tissue from prior surgery, certain cancers, and specific bleeding disorders. It doesn’t cover every contraindication, every possible complication, or cost and insurance coverage, which vary by provider and plan. A clinician can review your full health history against current guidance to help you decide what’s right for you.
Questions readers ask about Hysterectomy
Will I go into menopause after a hysterectomy?
Only if both ovaries are removed at the same time. If your ovaries stay in place, they typically continue producing hormones, though some people notice earlier menopause even when ovaries are kept. Ask your surgeon specifically what’s planned for your ovaries.
Do I still need Pap tests after a hysterectomy?
It depends on whether your cervix was removed and the reason for your surgery. This is a common enough question that it’s worth asking your ob-gyn directly at a follow-up visit, so your screening schedule matches your specific situation.
Is hysterectomy the only option for fibroids or heavy bleeding?
Not always. Depending on your diagnosis, options like hormonal IUDs, medication, endometrial ablation, or uterine artery embolization may be considered first. Whether any of these fit your case is a decision to make with your provider.
How long until I can return to normal activity?
Most people need four to six weeks, depending on the type of surgery. Your surgical team will give you activity restrictions specific to your procedure and your healing progress.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not recommend a specific type or method of hysterectomy, or any specific alternative, for any individual. What’s appropriate for you depends on your diagnosis, health history, and personal goals. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation before making a decision about hysterectomy or any other treatment.