A total hysterectomy involves the removal of the cervix and the uterus, but in pre-menopausal women the ovaries are usually retained. It affects about one in five women, and is more common in women who have not had children or who have had their families late. The most common symptom is lower abdominal pain, especially during periods.
Treatment can be with hormonal medication or by surgery.
It is one way in which heavy menstrual periods or abnormal uterine bleeding can be treated and for some women is a suitable alternative to hysterectomy. It often causes infertility. Dilatation and Curettage is a a means of examining a woman under anaesthetic to look more closely at her internal vaginal organs, because everything can be determined much more clearly when the patient's muscles are relaxed. It can detect tumours, cysts, and other abnormalities. The procedure takes five to ten minutes and the oatuent is usually only away from home for a few hours.