Formerly, only two choices were existing, either you get an abdominal hysterectomy or a vaginal hysterectomy. However, knowing that you are getting a vaginal hysterectomy is only the first choice because there are many surgeries that you choose from.

Total Vaginal Hysterectomy (or TVH as it is popularly known) is performed by making an incision through the vagina instead of the abdomen.Both the ovaries and complete cervix are removed along with the cervix. If your surgeon needs to check for cancer cells or of scattering endometriosis, it is not recommended to have a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy. Furthermore, if you have an engorged uterus to a certain degree or, for other women, have not delivered vaginally, getting a TVH is also not advisable. There is a risk of increased blood loss with this surgery.

With a Total Vaginal Hysterectomy, you can expect 6 to 8 weeks of recovery, with lifting and straining restrictions for this whole period. Restrictions on sexual activity for the beginning of recovery is also required. Your doctor may suggest Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) because of the “surgical menopause” caused by the taking away of the ovaries.

Partial Vaginal Hysterectomy or PVH, is similar to the Total Vaginal Hysterectomy, except that either the ovaries or all or part of the cervix, or both, are left in place. Partial Vaginal Hysterectomy does not need immediate HRT since the ovaries are still there to give hormones. Like a TVH, a PVH has, give or take, the same recovery period as a TVH.

A Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy or LAVH is a procedure which has a laparoscope and other small instruments inserted through trocars, or small metal tubes, through several cuts made on the abdomen. Most of the cutting is done through the trocars and then the uterus and cervix are removed through the vagina.

Depending on your doctor’s decision, the LAVH may either be partial or total. Again, the decision to have HRT depends on whether the surgery is total or partial.

It does not usually take as long as the recovery time of a TVH or PVH to recover from a LAVH. Lifting and straining restrictions are also in place for the 4-6 week recovery time of a LAVH. The same restrictions on intercourse remain in place as with other types of vaginal hysterectomy.

Please go to http://www.hysterectomyresources.com for more information about vaginal hysterectomy, the different kinds of procedures and expectations before and after surgery.