MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Hysterectomy

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Hysterectomy - series: Indications

Hysterectomy - seriesIllustrations:

Normal anatomy

Indications

Procedure

Aftercare

A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, resulting in the inability to become pregnant (sterility). May be done through the abdomen or the vagina.

Hysterectomy may be recommended for:

severe, long-term (chronic) infections (pelvic inflammatory disease)
severe inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometriosis)
tumors in the uterus
uterine fibroids, cancer of the endometrium
cancer of the cervix, cancer of the ovary
severe, long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding

Update Date: 8/31/2007

Updated by: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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