Hysterectomy Health Dictionary

Surgical removal of the womb. In a total hysterectomy both cervix and ovaries are removed. It may be performed for ovarian cyst, prolapse, persistent heavy bleeding, fibroids and other disorders. After removal, conception is not possible and menstruation comes to an end.

The nervous as well as the endocrine system may take time to adjust. For instance, there will be no internal sources of oestrogen that may have to be provided by supplementation. General health needs must be built-up with adequate rest and wholefoods rich in minerals and vitamins. Herbs to assist recovery and mildly assuage pain.

Alternatives. Tea. Combination. Equal parts: Alfalfa, Agrimony and Raspberry leaves. 1-2 heaped teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-15 minutes. 1 cup freely.

Tablets/capsules. Ginseng, Kelp, Black Cohosh.

Powders, liquid extracts or tinctures. Combination. Chamomile 1; Black Cohosh 1; Marigold 2; Sarsaparilla 2. Powders: one-third teaspoon. Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. In water or honey thrice daily.

Topical. Castor oil packs to low abdomen.

Diet. Oily fish – mackerel, herring, salmon. Slippery Elm, Irish Moss.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin C 1g; Vitamin E 400iu: B-complex. Magnesium 200-400mg. Dolomite, Zinc 2 each morning and evening. 

Surgical removal of the uterus. It is performed in order to treat fibroids, and cancer of the uterus (see uterus, cancer of) or cervix (see cervix, cancer of). It may also be performed to relieve heavy menstrual bleeding or endometriosis, and to remove a prolapsed uterus (see uterus, prolapse of).

The most common type is a total hysterectomy, in which the uterus and cervix are removed. Occasionally, the fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed as well. For cervical cancer, a radical hysterectomy is performed, in which the uterus, cervix and pelvic lymph nodes are removed. Hysterectomy may be performed through the vagina or through an incision in the abdomen.

Surgical removal of the UTERUS. Hysterooophorectomy is the term applied to removal of the uterus and OVARIES. (See also UTERUS, DISEASES OF.)

n. the surgical removal of the entire uterus through an incision in the abdominal wall (total abdominal hysterectomy, TAH), or through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy), or by minimal access (laparoscopic abdominal hysterectomy, LAH). Subtotal hysterectomy (rarely performed now unless as a laparoscopic procedure) involves removing the body of the uterus but leaving the neck (cervix). Hysterectomy is performed for cancerous conditions affecting the uterus and for nonmalignant conditions (e.g. fibroids) in which there is excessive menstrual bleeding. Abdominal hysterectomy carries a higher risk of morbidity than vaginal hysterectomy; the latter is therefore the preferred route unless contraindicated. Laparoscopic hysterectomy is the recommended operation for *endometrial cancer.