Health Information

There are different types of hysterectomy. The operation you have will depend on the reason for the surgery and how much of your womb and reproductive system can safely be left in place. The main types of hysterectomy are described below.

A phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour of the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. They are usually non-cancerous (benign), although around one in 10 are cancerous.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work. It's difficult to know exactly how many women have PCOS, but it's thought to be very common and affect millions of women in the UK.

Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. Ulcers can also occur in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach – these are known as duodenal ulcers.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on a woman’s ovary. They are very common and do not usually cause any symptoms.

Oesophageal atresia is a rare birth defect that affects a baby's oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach).

Obesity is a term used to describe somebody who is very overweight, with a lot of body fat. It's a common problem, estimated to affect around one in every four adults and around one in every five children aged 10 to 11 in the UK.

Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen (tummy) and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin. This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery.

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. Your muscles are usually strong and tight enough to keep your intestines and organs in place, but a hernia can develop if there are any weak spots.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe two conditions, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are long-term (chronic) conditions that involve inflammation of the gut (gastrointestinal tract).

An ileostomy is where the small intestine (small bowel) is diverted through an opening in the abdomen (tummy). The opening is known as a stoma. A special bag is placed over the stoma to collect waste products that would usually pass through the colon (large intestine) and out of the body through the rectum and anus (back passage).

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus). You will no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation.