Hysterectomy

There are many different reasons why you might need a hysterectomy.

Abnormal bleeding. Pelvic pain. Cancer. A hysterectomy can bring relief. It can also bring a sense of loss. And sometimes, you might have a mix of many different emotions. That’s natural. It’s a big life change. But no matter what, you probably have a lot of questions (and maybe even some worries) about what’s next.

Cleveland Clinic’s skilled, compassionate gynecologic providers are here to support you as you make this decision. Your concerns and questions are important to us. We listen carefully. And explain what you can expect every step of the way. You’ll rest easy knowing you’ll get a highly personalized treatment plan that explains the type of hysterectomy (or alternatives) best for you.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Hysterectomy Care?

Personalized care:

When you have benign (noncancerous) conditions, like bleeding that’s not normal for you, we’ll spend time explaining all of your treatment options. These include uterus-sparing treatments and medications, in addition to a hysterectomy. Meet our team.

Minimally invasive options:

Cleveland Clinic is a national leader in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Our providers try to do most hysterectomies using vaginal, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. This means you’ll have only tiny incisions (cuts), so you can get back to your typical routine sooner.

Specialized knowledge:

If you need a hysterectomy to treat gynecologic cancer, our board-certified gynecologic oncology providers are among the most highly qualified and trained in the country. They focus exclusively on gynecologic cancer care, including the most advanced surgery techniques.

Virtual visits:

Not all appointments need to be in person. Virtual visits let you meet one-on-one with your providers using a smartphone, tablet or computer — and your internet connection. You can talk about your progress and concerns with them from the comfort of home.

National recognition:

Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.

Hysterectomy Consultation at Cleveland Clinic

When you have a hysterectomy, your surgeon will remove your uterus, and most likely, your cervix. During this surgery, they may also remove your fallopian tubes and ovaries. Once you have a hysterectomy, you won’t be able to get pregnant. And you won’t have any more periods.

The type of hysterectomy you need depends on many things — your health, age and why you need surgery. There many reasons why we might recommend that you have one, like:

Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).
Bleeding after menopause (postmenopausal bleeding).
Severe pelvic pain.
Adenomyosis.
Endometrial hyperplasia.
Uterine fibroids.
Endometriosis.
Recurrent uterine polyps.
Uterine prolapse.
Uterine cancer.
Cervical cancer.

If you have gynecologic cancer, a hysterectomy may be a life-saving treatment. But if you have a benign condition, you may have other options. Before moving forward with surgery, our specialists explain your hysterectomy alternatives. We recommend a hysterectomy only when less invasive treatments aren’t right for you.

Your provider will decide if you need to have a hysterectomy and what type is your best option:

Total hysterectomy: Removes your uterus and cervix but leaves your ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Supracervical hysterectomy: Removes only the upper part of your uterus while leaving your cervix.
Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Removes your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy). If you haven’t gone through menopause, removing your ovaries will start menopausal symptoms.
Radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Removes your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries, the upper part of your vagina and some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. This type of hysterectomy is most often used in cancer treatment.

What to expect at your first visit

Before your hysterectomy, we’ll meet with you to hear your story. We want to know how you’ve been feeling. Are you having pain? Why kind of symptoms? And how long? All of this is important for us to understand as we plan your surgery.

Your care team will answer your questions and explain what to expect during surgery and recovery. We’ll also talk about possible complications. A nurse care manager gives you detailed instructions about preparing for your surgery. If you have questions or concerns, we’re available to answer them. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible with your decision and your scheduled surgery.

Meet Our Hysterectomy Team

If you choose to come to Cleveland Clinic for your hysterectomy, you’ll have an experienced care team that we build based on your unique needs and diagnosis. This team supports you through your entire hysterectomy experience, from the moment you call us to schedule a consultation to your recovery and follow-up visits. Your team could include:

Gynecologists.
Gynecologic surgeons.
Anesthesiologists.
Oncologists.
Radiologists.
Nurse practitioners.
Physician assistants.

Providers Who Perform Hysterectomies

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio, Florida and London.

Getting a Hysterectomy at Cleveland Clinic

Our surgeons are skilled in all types of hysterectomy. In most cases, we do a minimally invasive hysterectomy. This can help you recover faster and with less pain and scarring.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: Our surgeons use small tools and a tiny camera to remove your uterus without open surgery. This procedure requires several small incisions on your belly.
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy: During a robotic-assisted hysterectomy, our surgeons use thin robotic arms and a high-definition, 3D camera to precisely do your hysterectomy.
Vaginal hysterectomy: Our surgeons remove your uterus through a small incision at the top of your vagina. You don’t have any incisions outside your body.
Abdominal (open) hysterectomy: We may recommend abdominal hysterectomy for certain kinds of cancer or an enlarged uterus. This surgery uses a larger incision from your belly button to your pubic bone. You’ll need to stay in the hospital. And full recovery can take up to a couple of months.

What to expect during and after your hysterectomy

Most minimally invasive hysterectomies last one to three hours. This depends on the size of your uterus and if we’re removing other organs, like your fallopian tubes or ovaries. In most cases, you’ll have anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep and won’t feel any pain during your hysterectomy.

If you’ve had minimally invasive surgery, you may be able to go home on the same day. Or you may need to spend just one night in the hospital. You’ll have a fairly quick recovery — usually about four to six weeks. It’ll take longer if you had open surgery.

If you need other treatment after surgery (like chemotherapy or radiation), your care team will work together to make sure you get the personalized care you need and deserve.

Taking the Next Step

Our team understands that choosing to have a hysterectomy often isn’t easy. We want you to talk openly with us. We’ll explain all your options so you can feel empowered to make the best decision for you. When you choose Cleveland Clinic for your hysterectomy, you’ll get expert, compassionate care that focuses on your unique physical and emotional needs — well beyond your surgery.