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A hysterectomy is a surgical way of removing a woman’s uterus from her body. There are many reasons why a hysterectomy is performed including abnormally heavy menstrual periods, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, placental bleeding during childbirth, cervical cancer or ovarion cancer.

There are different types of hysterectomies.

An abdominal hysterectomy is made from an incision through the abdominal area. This is done when there is a very large uterus, extensive scar tissue or sever endometriosis.

A vaginal hysterectomy is performed through the vagina. A vaginal hysterectomy is done when the uterus can be easily removed or when there is a low chance of cancer.

Laparascopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy is when an incision is made through the abdomen while also being performed through the vagina. An instrument with a light, used for viewing, and surgical tools, are inserted through one or more small incisions in the abdomen, which helps to free the uterus from scar tissue and can then be removed from the vagina.

Laparascopic Supracervical Hysterectomy is done by inserting a laparoscope and surgical instruments through several small incisions in the abdomen. The uterus is removed in small pieces while the cervix is left in place.

During a hysterectomy, you may get “Partial” removal (meaning only your uterus and not your cervix gets removed). Also you may get “Total” removal (meaning all of your uterus and your cervix) or you could get “Radical” removal (meaning the uterus, cervix, ovaries and sometimes even lymph nodes).

Recovery from a hysterectomy can take some time. A person may stay in the hospital from two to four days (depending on the procedure done and the doctor). For an abdominal hysterectomy, it may take four to eight weeks for a full recovery. During the first two to three weeks you need plenty of rest. Do not do any heavy lifting or sexual activities until after two weeks from your surgery. A vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy takes less time to recover. Most women can return to a normal routine in one to two weeks. Four to six weeks after your surgery, you should make a follow-up appointment you’re your doctor to see how the healing is going.

Resources

General Fertility

Fertility LifeLines (http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/)
Fertility News (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/fertility/)
Tracking You Fertility (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/)
Fertility UK (http://www.fertilityuk.org/)
Fertility Plus (http://www.fertilityplus.org/)
Fertility.com (http://www.fertility.com/international/index.jsp)
Male Infertility (http://www.ivf.com/shaban.html)
Male Infertility Specialists (http://www.maleinfertilityspecialists.com/indexNS.htm)
Female Infertility (http://www.pregnancy-info.net/female_infertility_intro.html)
Female Infertility at IntegraMed (http://www.integramed.com/inmdweb/content/cons/main.jsp)

Causes

Blocked Fallopian Tubes (http://www.advancedfertility.com/tubal.htm)
Uterine Fibroids (http://www.4woman.gov/faq/fibroids.htm)
Dilation and Curettage (http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/tw1469)
Cervical Biopsy (http://www.wdxcyber.com/mcervix.htm)
Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) (http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm)
Hormone Imbalance (http://www.fertilityjourney.com/aboutFertility/femaleInfertility/hormonalImbalance/index.asp)
Ovarian Cysts (http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/ovariancysts/a/ovariancysts.htm)

Medications

Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate, Serophene) (http://infertility.about.com/cs/clomi1/a/Clomid.htm)
Follistim (http://www.follistim.com/consumer/index.asp)
Crinone (Progesterone Vaginal Gel) (http://www.medicinenet.com/progesterone_gel-vaginal/article.htm)
Gonal-F (Fallitropin alfa injections) (http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/serono/products/gonalf/pen/)
Heparin (http://www.sharedjourney.com/articles/hep.html)
Pergonal, Humegon, and Menopur (http://www.druginfonet.com/humegon.htm)
Metrodin (FSH) (http://www.infertilityphysician.com/ovulation/metrodin.html)
Mucus Problems (http://infertility.about.com/od/femalefactors/a/cervicalmucous.htm)

Conception Methods

In Vitro Fertilization at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_vitro_fertilization)
IVF Connections (http://www.ivfconnections.com/)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) (http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/iui.html)
Surrogacy (http://www.everythingsurrogacy.com/)