Total Hysterectomy Versus Subtotal Hysterectomy

For many women across the United States, complications involving the female reproductive system can severely alter not only a woman's reproductive health but also impact her ability to function normally, from a cognitive and emotional standpoint. For these women, often, complications of the reproductive system may lead to the need for a hysterectomy. Understanding the variety of hysterectomy procedures available, will ensure a woman, with reproductive and gynecological complications, makes the best decision in terms of her future health.

Hysterectomy surgery is, generally, classified as total, subtotal, simple or radical. While these terms may seem rather complex and confusing, they are much easier to understand with a little research coupled with the careful description by your gynecologist. There is great significance in understanding these terms as the decision to undergo a hysterectomy will forever alter your life and, depending on the type of surgery, will determine the future need for hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT.

In general terms, a total hysterectomy refers to the removal of the entire uterus and contents including the cervix. For many years, gynecologists performed this total hysterectomy as standard procedure however, with advancing technology, many gynecologists are choosing to perform a subtotal hysterectomy involving only removal of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.

The decision to leave the cervix in place, quite simply, is based upon your personal preference and your surgeon's preference as some medical research believes the cervix may play a key role in a woman's sexual function and arousal and, without it, sexual intercourse may not be as it once was. Additionally, because the possibility of cervical cancer is still possible, removing the cervix may be an option for women who are at a higher risk for developing cervical cancer, such as those women who suffer from HPV.