Healthy Living ~ Let's Talk Hysterectomy ~

What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman's uterus (sometimes referred to as a womb). The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The whole uterus or just part of it may be removed. After a hysterectomy, you no longer have menstrual periods and cannot become pregnant.

During the hysterectomy, your surgeon,  may or may not, depending on your specific situation and consent, remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. The fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The cervix is the lower end of the uterus that joins the vagina. As illustrated in the diagram above, these organs are located in a woman’s lower abdomen.

If you have not yet reached menopause and both ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, you will enter menopause. (This type of menopause is often referred to as Surgically Induced Menopause)

I referenced the following sites for the information contained in this post –

http://www.medicinenet.com/hysterectomy/article.htm#toca
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/hysterectomy.cfm#a


Next week -
Why is a hysterectomy performed?


Monica


Disclaimer -The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.