meetara-lab/vectorstore-women_health huggingface dataset:
Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s 
uterus (also known as the womb). The uterus is where 
a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. During the 
surgery the whole uterus is usually removed. Your 
doctor may also remove your fallopian tubes and 
ovaries. After a hysterectomy, you no longer have 
menstrual periods and cannot become pregnant. 

Q:  Why would I need a hysterectomy?
A:  Sometimes a hysterectomy may be medically 
necessary. But sometimes you can try medicines or 
other treatments first. Talk with your doctor about all 
of your treatment options.

You may need a hysterectomy if you have one of  
the following:

• Uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are 

noncancerous growths in the uterine wall. In 
some women, they can cause pain and long-term 
heavy bleeding. Uterine fibroids tend to shrink 
after menopause, so you may choose to wait. 
Your doctor may also try other procedures, like 
myomectomy or endometrial ablation, before  
a hysterectomy.
• Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding. Changes 
in hormone levels, infection, cancer, or fibroids 
can cause heavy, prolonged bleeding. Hormonal 
birth control may help to lighten heavy bleeding, 
correct irregular bleeding, and relieve pain.

• Uterine prolapse. This is when the uterus slips 
from its usual place down into the vagina. This 
is more common in women who have had 
several vaginal births, but it can also happen 
after menopause or because of obesity. You can 

try Kegel exercises (squeezing the pelvic floor 
muscles) to help restore tone to the muscle 
holding the uterus in place. Your doctor may also 
insert a pessary (rubber or plastic object) into 
your vagina to hold your uterus in place. 

• Endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when
• Endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when 

the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of 
the uterus on the ovaries. This can cause severe 
pain and bleeding between periods. Your doctor 
can prescribe medicine or do surgery to remove 
the scar tissue or growths without harming 
surrounding tissue. 

• Adenomyosis. In this condition, the tissue that 
lines the uterus grows inside the walls of the 
uterus where it doesn’t belong. The uterine 
walls thicken and cause severe pain and heavy 
bleeding. Hormonal birth control may help. 

• Cancer (or precancer) of the uterus, ovary, 
cervix, or endometrium. Hysterectomy may 
be the best option if you have cancer in  
these organs. 

Q:  Will the hysterectomy cause me to  
enter menopause?
A:  All women who have a hysterectomy will stop 
getting their period. Whether you will have other 
symptoms of menopause after a hysterectomy depends 
on whether your doctor removes your ovaries during 
the surgery.
If you keep your ovaries during the hysterectomy,  
you should not have other menopausal symptoms  
right away. 

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A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Hysterectomy

2

If both ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, 
you will no longer have periods and you may have 
other menopausal symptoms right away. Because 
your hormone levels drop quickly without ovaries, 
your symptoms may be stronger than with natural 
menopause. 

Q:  What changes can I expect after a 
hysterectomy?
A:  Hysterectomy is a major surgery, so recovery can 
take a few weeks. But for most women, the biggest 
change is a better quality of life. You should have relief 
from the symptoms that made the surgery necessary. 

Other changes that you may experience after a 
hysterectomy include: 

• Menopause. You will no longer have periods. If 

your ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, 
you may have other menopause symptoms.
• Menopause. You will no longer have periods. If 

your ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, 
you may have other menopause symptoms.

• Change in sexual feelings. Some women have 

vaginal dryness or less interest in sex after a 

hysterectomy, especially if the ovaries are removed. 

•  Increased risk for other health problems. If 

both ovaries are removed, this may put you at 

higher risk for certain conditions such as: bone 

loss, heart disease, and urinary incontinence 

(leaking of urine). Talk to your doctor about how 

to prevent these problems.

• Sense of loss. Some women may feel grief or 

depression over the loss of fertility or the change 

in their bodies. Talk to your doctor if you have 

symptoms of depression, including feelings of 

sadness, a loss of interest in food or things you 

once enjoyed, or less energy, that last longer than 

a few weeks after your surgery.
symptoms of depression, including feelings of 

sadness, a loss of interest in food or things you 

once enjoyed, or less energy, that last longer than 

a few weeks after your surgery. 

For more information …  
about hysterectomy, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:

Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and  
Health Promotion, CDC, HHS      
800-323-4636 • 

www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/

National Cancer Institute (NCI), HHS 
800-422-6237 www.cancer.gov 

 • 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 
 • 
202-638-5577 www.acog.org
www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/

National Cancer Institute (NCI), HHS 
800-422-6237 www.cancer.gov 

 • 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 
 • 
202-638-5577 www.acog.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by: Sarah M. Temkin, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., Community Oncology and Prevention Trials Research Group, Division of 
Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute. Kimberly Kho, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Director, 
Southwestern Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

All material contained on this page is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office 
on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: December 4, 2014.

Content last reviewed September 9, 2014.

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Content last updated: December 4, 2014.

Content last reviewed September 9, 2014.

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 |
A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH

Pap and HPV tests

Pap tests (or Pap smears) look for cancers and 
precancers in the cervix. Precancers are cell changes 
that can be caused by the human papillomavirus 
(HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that 
goes away on its own in most people. If it does not go 
away, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. An HPV test 
looks for HPV in cervical cells.

Q: Why do I need Pap and HPV tests?
A: A Pap test can save your life. It can find 
cervical cancer cells early. The chance of successful 
treatment of cervical cancer is very high if the 
disease is caught early.
An HPV test can give your doctor more information 
about the cells from your cervix. For example, if 
the Pap test shows abnormal cervical cells, the HPV 
test can show whether you have a type of HPV that 
causes cervical cancer. 
Q: Who should get regular Pap or HPV tests?
A: Most women 21 to 65 years old should get Pap 
tests as part of routine health care. Even if you are 
not currently sexually active, got the HPV vaccine, or 
have gone through menopause, you still need regular 
Pap tests. Experts recommend: 

•   Women 21–29 get a Pap test every 3 years

•  Women 30–65 get:

 ◦ A Pap test every 3 years, or
 ◦ An HPV test every 5 years, or
◦ A Pap and HPV test together (called co-testing) 

every 5 years

www.womenshealth.gov | 1-800-994-9662

Women older than 65 need a Pap test if they have never 
been tested or if they have not been tested after age 60. 
Some women may need Pap or HPV testing more often.
Women older than 65 need a Pap test if they have never 
been tested or if they have not been tested after age 60. 
Some women may need Pap or HPV testing more often.

Q: How do I prepare for a Pap or HPV test?
A: You do not have to do anything special to 
prepare for a Pap or HPV test. Also, you should not 
douche before a Pap or HPV test. Most doctors do 
not recommend douching for any reason. You also 
should not put anything in or around your vagina to 
clean it, other than soap and water on the outside of 
your vagina.

Q: Are Pap and HPV tests painful?
A: Some women find Pap and HPV tests 
uncomfortable, but the tests should not be painful. 
You will feel pressure as your doctor or nurse puts 
the speculum (a tool that helps your doctor or nurse 
see your cervix) into your vagina.

If you have never had sexual intercourse or if you 
have had pain when something is put into your 
vagina, you can ask your doctor or nurse to use a 
smaller speculum.
If you have never had sexual intercourse or if you 
have had pain when something is put into your 
vagina, you can ask your doctor or nurse to use a 
smaller speculum.

You can also help lessen or prevent pain by urinating 
before the test to empty your bladder or by taking 
an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, 
acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, about an hour before 
your Pap or HPV test.
2

Q: What do my Pap test results mean?
A: Your Pap test results will say one of these 
three things:

•  Normal. The cells collected from your cervix 
during the Pap test look like they should and 
you do not have to do anything until your next 
Pap test.
•  Normal. The cells collected from your cervix 
during the Pap test look like they should and 
you do not have to do anything until your next 
Pap test.

•  Abnormal. The cells collected from your cervix 
during your Pap test look abnormal. Abnormal 
Pap test results do not mean you have cancer, 
so your doctor must do other tests to find out 
what should happen next. Your doctor may do 
another Pap test right away or, if the cell changes 
are minor, wait 6 months or a year before doing 
another Pap test. 

•  Unclear. Your doctor does not know whether the 
cells collected from your cervix are normal or 
abnormal. Your doctor may do more testing right 
away to rule out any problems, or your doctor 
may have you come back in 6 months or a year 
for another Pap test.

Q: Can a Pap test tell me whether I have 
a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
A: No. A Pap test is not used to find STIs. You must 
ask your doctor to test you for STIs if you want to 
have STI testing.
For more information…
For more information about Pap and HPV tests, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 
or contact the following organizations:

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early 
Detection Program, CDC, HHS  
 • 
1-800-232-4636 www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp

National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, HHS  
 • 
1-800-422-6237 www.cancer.gov

American Cancer Society 
 • 
1-800-227-2345 www.cancer.org

National Cervical Cancer Coalition
 • 
1-800-685-5531 www.nccc-online.org

Planned Parenthood 
1-800-230-7526 www.plannedparenthood.org

 • 

A full fact sheet on this topic is available online at www.womenshealth.gov. All material contained on this page is free of copyright restrictions 
and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated. OWH content is available for syndication through the HHS Syndication Storefront at 
digitalmedia.hhs.gov.
Content last updated: September 20, 2018.

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Pap and HPV tests
Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues 
supporting the pelvic organs (the uterus, bladder, or rectum) 
become weak or loose. This allows one or more of the pelvic 
organs to drop or press into or out of the vagina. Many 
women are embarrassed to talk to their doctor about their 
symptoms or think that their symptoms are normal. But 
pelvic organ prolapse is treatable. 

Q: Who gets pelvic organ prolapse?
A: Pelvic floor disorders (urinary incontinence, fecal 
incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse) affect one in five 
women in the United States. Pelvic organ prolapse is less 
common than urinary or fecal incontinence but affects 
almost 3 percent of U.S. women. Pelvic organ prolapse 
happens more often in older women and in white and 
Hispanic women than in younger women or women of other 
racial/ethnic groups. Some women develop more than one 
pelvic floor disorder, such as pelvic organ prolapse with 
urinary incontinence.
Q: What are the symptoms of pelvic 
organ prolapse?
A: Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include:

•  Seeing or feeling a bulge or “something coming out” of 

the vagina

•  A feeling of pressure, discomfort, aching, or fullness in the 

pelvis, especially during sex or physical activity

•  Pelvic pressure that gets worse with standing or 

coughing or as the day goes on

•  Leaking urine (incontinence) or problems having a 

bowel movement

•  Problems inserting tampons

Q: What causes pelvic organ prolapse?
A: Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles or 
connective tissues of the pelvis do not work as they should. 
The most common risk factors are:

•  Vaginal childbirth, which can stretch and strain the 

pelvic floor. Multiple vaginal childbirths raise your risk 
for pelvic organ prolapse later in life. But you can get 
prolapse even if you have never had children or if you 
had a cesarean, or C-section, delivery. 

•  Long-term pressure on your abdomen, including
•  Long-term pressure on your abdomen, including 

pressure from obesity, chronic coughing, or straining 
often during bowel movements. 

•  Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 8½ pounds

•  Aging. About 37 percent of women with pelvic floor 
disorders are 60 to 79 years of age, and about half are 
80 or older.

•  Hormonal changes during menopause. Loss of the 

female hormone estrogen during and after menopause 
can raise your risk for pelvic organ prolapse. 

•  Family history

Q: How is pelvic organ prolapse treated?
A: Treatment for pelvic organ prolapse depends on the 
type of prolapse you have, your symptoms, your age, other 
health problems, and whether you are sexually active. Your 
treatment may include one or more of the following:

•  Pessary. A pessary is a removable device inserted into 
the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Pessaries are 
often the first treatment your doctor will try.
•  Pessary. A pessary is a removable device inserted into 
the vagina to support the pelvic organs. Pessaries are 
often the first treatment your doctor will try. 

•  Pelvic floor muscle therapy. Pelvic floor exercises help 
strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can 
also help women who have urinary incontinence. 

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTHA FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Pelvic Organ Prolapse 

2

•  Changing eating habits. If you have bowel problems, 
your doctor may recommend eating more foods with 
fiber. Fiber helps prevent constipation and straining 
during bowel movements.

•  Surgery to close the vagina. This surgery, called 

colpocleisis, treats prolapse by closing the vaginal opening. 
This can be a good option for women who do not plan to 
have or who no longer have vaginal intercourse.

•  Surgery to support the uterus or vagina. During
•  Surgery to support the uterus or vagina. During 

surgery, your doctor may use your own body tissue 
or synthetic mesh to help repair the prolapse and 
build pelvic floor support. This type of surgery 
is recommended for sexually active women with 
serious prolapse of the vagina or uterus. Surgery for 
prolapse can be done with or without mesh and either 
through your vagina or abdomen. The Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA) recently strengthened the safety 
requirements for new mesh devices that repair pelvic 
organ prolapse through the vagina.

Q: How can I prevent pelvic organ prolapse?
A: The following steps may reduce your risk of getting a 
pelvic floor problem:

•  Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight (if you are 
overweight). Women who are overweight or obese are 
more likely to have pelvic floor problems.

•  Choose foods with fiber. Fiber helps prevent 

constipation and straining during bowel movements.

•  Do not smoke. Smoking can lead to chronic cough,
•  Choose foods with fiber. Fiber helps prevent 

constipation and straining during bowel movements.

•  Do not smoke. Smoking can lead to chronic cough, 

which puts stress on the pelvic floor muscles.

For more information…
For more information about pelvic organ prolapse, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact 
the following organizations:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), NIH, HHS 
800-370-2943 • www.nichd.nih.gov 

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
800-673-8444 • www.acog.org

International Urogynecological Association 
202-733-3234 • www.iuga.org

Pelvic Floor Disorders Network 
919-541-6271 • www.pfdnetwork.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by:

Susan Meikle, M.D., M.S.P.H., Program Director, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Project Scientist, Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, Gynecologic Health and Disease 
Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Cynelle (Murray) Kunkle, M.D, FACOG, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, P.C.

All material contained on this page is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on 
Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: March 17, 2016.

Content last reviewed: January 19, 2016. 

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Pregnancy Tests

If you think you may be pregnant, taking a pregnancy 
test as soon as the first day of your missed period can 
help you get the care and support you need. A home 
pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant with 
almost 99% accuracy, depending on how you use it. If 
a pregnancy test says you are pregnant, you should see 
your doctor for another test to confirm the pregnancy 
and talk about next steps. 

Q: How soon can I use a home pregnancy test?
A: Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive 
than others and can be taken before your missed 
period. But you may get more accurate results if you 
wait until after the first day of your missed period.

This is because the amount of the pregnancy hormone, 
called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your 
urine doubles every 48 hours. The earlier you take the 
test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG.
Q: My home pregnancy test says I am pregnant. 
What should I do next?
A: If a home pregnancy test shows that you are preg-
nant, you should call your doctor right away. Your 
doctor can use a blood test to tell for sure whether you 
are pregnant. Seeing your doctor early in your preg-
nancy also means you can begin prenatal care to help 
you and your baby stay healthy. 

Q: My home pregnancy test says that I am not 
pregnant. Could I still be pregnant? 
A: Yes, it is still possible you could be pregnant. It is 
possible to be pregnant and to have a pregnancy test 
say that you are not pregnant. 

If your test says you are not pregnant, take another 
pregnancy test in a few days. If you think you are preg-
nant but more tests say you are not, call your doctor.

Q: How do I use a home pregnancy test?
A: All home pregnancy tests come with written 
instructions. Depending on the brand you buy, the 
instructions may vary: 

• 

 You hold a stick in your urine stream.
• 

 You hold a stick in your urine stream. 

•   You pee into a cup and dip the stick into it. 

•   You pee into a cup and then use a dropper to put a 

few drops of the urine into a special container.

Different brands instruct you to wait different 
amounts of time, although most are around 2 minutes. 
Depending on the brand of the test, you may see a 
line, a plus symbol, or the words “pregnant” or “not 
pregnant.” A line or plus symbol, no matter how faint, 
means the result is positive.

Most tests also have a “control indicator” in the 
result window. This control line or symbol shows 
whether the test is working properly. If the control 
line or symbol does not appear, the test is not working 
properly.

Q: How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
A: Most home pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99 
percent accurate. But the accuracy depends on:

  •   How you use them. Be sure to check the
Q: How accurate are home pregnancy tests?
A: Most home pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99 
percent accurate. But the accuracy depends on:

  •   How you use them. Be sure to check the 

expiration date and follow the instructions. Wait 
up to 10 minutes after taking the test to check the 
results window. 

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Pregnancy Tests

2

•    When you use them. The amount of hCG or 

pregnancy hormone in your urine increases with 
time. The earlier you take the test, the harder 
it is for the test to detect the hCG. Most home 
pregnancy tests can accurately detect pregnancy 
after a missed period. Also, testing your urine first 
thing in the morning can boost the accuracy.

•   Who uses them. Each woman ovulates at a
•   Who uses them. Each woman ovulates at a 

different time in her menstrual cycle. Plus, the 
fertilized egg can implant in a woman’s uterus 
at different times. Your body makes hCG after 
implantation occurs. In up to 10 percent of 
women, implantation does not occur until after 
the first day of a missed period. This means home 
pregnancy tests can be accurate as soon as 1 day 
after a missed period for some women but not for 
others.

•    The brand of test. Some home pregnancy tests are 
more sensitive than others. For that reason, some 

tests are better than others at spotting hCG early 
on. Talk to your pharmacist about which brand 
may be best for you.
tests are better than others at spotting hCG early 
on. Talk to your pharmacist about which brand 
may be best for you.

Q: Can anything affect home pregnancy test 
results?
A: Yes. If you take medicine with the pregnancy 
hormone hCG as an active ingredient, you may get 
a false-positive test result. A false positive is when a 
test says you are pregnant when you are not. Some 
examples of medicines with hCG include certain 
medication for infertility. If you are taking medicine 
to help you get pregnant, you may want to see your 
doctor for a pregnancy test.

Most medicines should not affect the results of a home 
pregnancy test. This includes over-the-counter and 
prescription medicines such as birth control pills and 
antibiotics. Also, alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect 
pregnancy test results.

For more information… 
about pregnancy tests, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:
For more information… 
about pregnancy tests, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations: 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HHS 
888-463-6332 • www.fda.gov

American Pregnancy Association
972-550-0140 • americanpregnancy.org 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
800-230-7526 • www.plannedparenthood.org

All material contained on this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office 
on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated. 

This fact sheet was reviewed by Jennifer Lesko, M.D., M.P.H., Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Assistant Professor, George Washington University 
School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Content last updated: June 9, 2014.

Content last reviewed: April 27, 2014

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