Side Effects
Our Approach to Hysterectomy
If you have been diagnosed with a condition that requires hysterectomy, you likely have a lot of questions about the procedure, your recovery, and your long-term health.
At Stanford, our doctors perform hysterectomy using a range of techniques. We use minimally invasive and robotic procedures to help reduce your pain, scarring, and recovery time. We also use advanced imaging equipment during surgery to tailor your procedure to your unique anatomy and condition.
To request an appointment with one of our gynecologic surgeons, call: 650-725-6079
What Is Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy Side Effects
For women who have not reached menopause, menstruation will no longer occur, nor will pregnancy be possible after hysterectomy. After ovary removal, estrogen levels will decline and may lead to early menopause symptoms. Hysterectomy does not affect libido or sexual pleasure.
Hysterectomy, like all surgical procedures, involves some risk. Our gynecological surgeons take great precautions to keep risks as low as possible.
Short-term risks of hysterectomy are usually mild, minimal, and occur in the first 30 days after surgery. They may include:
- Blood loss and the risk of blood transfusion
- Damage to surrounding areas, like the bladder, urethra, blood vessels, and nerves
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Infection
- Side effects related to anesthesia
- The need to change to an abdominal hysterectomy from one of the other techniques
Hysterectomy has a rare long-term risk of pelvic prolapse, which is the stretching or dropping of pelvic organs into an abnormal position. Women with many prior abdominal surgeries or a history of pelvic prolapse or pelvic relaxation may be at higher risk for developing pelvic prolapse again.
What to Expect
There are several different surgical approaches to hysterectomies.
The type of hysterectomy performed and the technique used to perform the procedure will be determined by your physician and depend on the size of the uterus as well as several other factors.
Abdominal
Vaginal
Laparoscopic
Robotic
The uterus is removed through the abdomen via a surgical incision about six to eight inches long. This procedure is most commonly used when the ovaries and fallopian tubes are being removed, when the uterus is enlarged, for women with large fibroids, or when disease has spread to the pelvic cavity, as in endometriosis or cancer. The main surgical incision can be made either vertically, from the navel down to the pubic bone, or horizontally, along the top of the pubic hairline.
If the uterus is very large or if there is a scar from an earlier operation, it may be necessary to make a vertical incision on the lower abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 2-3 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
The uterus is removed through the vaginal opening. This procedure is most often used in cases of uterine prolapse, or when vaginal repairs are necessary for related conditions. No external incision is made, which means there is no visible scarring. Of all hysterectomy procedures this involves the least post-operative pain.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a procedure in which the uterus is removed through very small incisions on the lower abdomen. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube containing a video camera,through a cut in the belly button, and several other small incisions are made in the abdomen to place surgical tools. The uterus is then removed in sections through the laparoscope tube or through the vagina.
Small scars remain on the skin of the abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
Robotic hysterectomy uses a combination of high-definition 3D magnification, robotic technology and miniature instruments to improve a surgeon's ability to view, manipulate, and remove the uterus. Four-to-five small incisions are made in the abdomen to allow for slender robotic arms and tiny surgical tools to access the uterus.
Benefits of robotic hysterectomy over abdominal hysterectomy include smaller incisions and less post-operative pain.
Small scars remain on the skin of the abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
The uterus is removed through the abdomen via a surgical incision about six to eight inches long. This procedure is most commonly used when the ovaries and fallopian tubes are being removed, when the uterus is enlarged, for women with large fibroids, or when disease has spread to the pelvic cavity, as in endometriosis or cancer. The main surgical incision can be made either vertically, from the navel down to the pubic bone, or horizontally, along the top of the pubic hairline.
If the uterus is very large or if there is a scar from an earlier operation, it may be necessary to make a vertical incision on the lower abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 2-3 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
close Abdominal
The uterus is removed through the vaginal opening. This procedure is most often used in cases of uterine prolapse, or when vaginal repairs are necessary for related conditions. No external incision is made, which means there is no visible scarring. Of all hysterectomy procedures this involves the least post-operative pain.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
close Vaginal
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a procedure in which the uterus is removed through very small incisions on the lower abdomen. The surgeon inserts a laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube containing a video camera,through a cut in the belly button, and several other small incisions are made in the abdomen to place surgical tools. The uterus is then removed in sections through the laparoscope tube or through the vagina.
Small scars remain on the skin of the abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
close Laparoscopic
Robotic hysterectomy uses a combination of high-definition 3D magnification, robotic technology and miniature instruments to improve a surgeon's ability to view, manipulate, and remove the uterus. Four-to-five small incisions are made in the abdomen to allow for slender robotic arms and tiny surgical tools to access the uterus.
Benefits of robotic hysterectomy over abdominal hysterectomy include smaller incisions and less post-operative pain.
Small scars remain on the skin of the abdomen.
Post-surgery, most women stay 0-1 nights in the hospital, followed by 4-6 weeks reduced activity.
close Robotic
Our Clinics
We offer everything from annual exams to care for complex problems for girls and women from infancy through menopause. We specialize in fibroids, urogynecology, and young adult gynecology.