Hysterectomy

What are the different types of hysterectomy procedures?

A hysterectomy is tailored entirely to your underlying condition. The structural variations include:

• Total Hysterectomy: The removal of the entire uterus and the cervix. This is the most common approach.
• Supracervical (Partial) Hysterectomy: The removal of the upper part of the uterus, leaving the cervix fully intact.
• Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (BSO): The removal of the uterus along with both fallopian tubes and both ovaries.

Important Note on Ovaries: Removing the uterus does not automatically mean your ovaries will be removed. Unless there is an active disease present in the ovaries (such as a severe mass or genetic cancer risk), our surgeons prefer to preserve them in pre-menopausal women to maintain your body’s natural hormone production and avoid triggering immediate surgical menopause.

What conditions are most commonly treated with a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is typically considered a definitive solution after less invasive treatments (like medications, hormonal IUDs, or specialized ablations) have failed to provide long-term relief. Common reasons for the procedure include:

• Large, painful, or heavily bleeding uterine fibroids (leiomyomas)
• Severe adenomyosis or advanced, deeply infiltrating endometriosis
• Abnormal uterine bleeding that cannot be controlled with hormonal therapy
• Significant pelvic organ prolapse where the uterus has slipped significantly into the vaginal canal
• Gynecological cancers or high-grade precancerous changes of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries

What is the difference between an open hysterectomy and a minimally invasive hysterectomy?

The difference lies in the size of the incision and the speed of your recovery:

• Traditional Open Hysterectomy: Requires a single, large 5-to-7-inch horizontal or vertical incision across your lower abdomen. It usually involves a multi-day hospital stay and a full 6-to-8-week recovery period.
• Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy (Laparoscopic or Robotic): Performed through 3 to 4 tiny “keyhole” cuts under half an inch wide using specialized instruments and an ultra-high-definition 3D camera. This method features significantly less post-operative pain, minimal blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and a vastly accelerated recovery.

Will a hysterectomy cause me to go into immediate menopause?

Only if your ovaries are removed during the procedure (an oophorectomy). If your ovaries are preserved, they will continue to produce estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone at your normal biological baseline, meaning you will not experience sudden surgical menopause. While your periods will stop completely and you will no longer be able to become pregnant, your body will transition into menopause naturally later in life. If an oophorectomy is medically required, the team at Miami Women’s Center will design a customized post-operative hormone replacement plan (BHRT) to manage any immediate menopausal symptoms.