What to Expect

• Bleeding during the first four to six weeks after a hysterectomy is normal. After a hysterectomy your periods will eventually stop, but this initial bleeding is normal. A cause for concern would be if the blood is bright red instead of a light red to brown color.
  
  

Types

• There are different types of hysterectomy surgeries. A partial hysterectomy includes the removal of the top part of the uterus. A complete hysterectomy is when the uterus and the cervix are removed. A bilateral salpingo-oophoectomy involves the removal of the cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
  
  

Reasons for a Hysterectomy

• A hysterectomy can be performed for various reasons, including if a woman is bleeding outside of the normal menstrual cycle and it is not controllable with other methods. Women who have severe endometriosis, which is uterine tissue that is growing out the uterus, increasing pelvic pain, a dropped uterus or cervical cancer are often candidates for a hysterectomy.