Hysterectomy

Home » Hysterectomy » Hysterectomy Overview

Hysterectomy Overview

Hysterectomy is a surgical operation to remove the uterus (womb). It may also include removing other parts of the female reproductive system such as the cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.

Following hysterectomy, menstruation (menstrual periods) stops and the woman is no longer able to have a baby. In women who have not reached menopause, removal of the ovaries causes early menopause.

Incidence and Prevalence

Hysterectomy is the second-most-common abdominal surgery among women in the United States. Over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed every year, and one in three women has a hysterectomy by the age of 60. The United States has the highest hysterectomy rate in the world.

About 90% of the hysterectomies performed each year are classified as "elective" surgery (i.e., surgery done by choice and not as a lifesaving measure). Women and doctors are beginning to question whether hysterectomy is the best solution to many gynecologic conditions, and are seeking alternatives that avoid the drastic and irreversible consequences of the procedure. As these alternative therapies are developed and explored, the number of hysterectomies performed is beginning to decline.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hysterectomy Resources

	Join Our Hysterectomy Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer