The fifth surgical option is an abdominal hysterectomy, the traditional approach. This procedure is the most invasive surgery with the most noticeable scar. In this procedure, the uterus is removed through a large incision in the abdomen — a horizontal cut along the bikini line, or a vertical incision if required.

Over time, any scars from a hysterectomy will usually become lighter in color, but the skin will never look exactly the same. Some women, especially women of color, are prone to keloids, a thickening of the scar tissue, Dr. Bradley says.

2. How much pain should I expect after having a hysterectomy?

Pain also depends on the hysterectomy surgical option you undergo. Most women with a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy experience pain for two to three weeks. Some women have less pain after laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy than they do after a basic vaginal hysterectomy, according to a research review that appeared in The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology in 2013. With abdominal hysterectomy, pain may last for three to five weeks.

The amount of pain and scarring also depends on what exactly is removed during your hysterectomy, which should be based on your reason for having the procedure, the expertise of your surgeon, and the surgical equipment available. For instance, just your uterus may be removed or your cervix may be taken out as well. Or if you have cervical cancer, for example, you might need a radical hysterectomy, which also takes out tissue on either side of the cervix and the upper part of the vagina. Each of these procedures can have a different effect after surgery when it comes to how much pain you experience.

3. What is the risk for complications after a hysterectomy?

While most women don’t have health problems during or after the surgery, risks may include:

Injury to nearby organs

Anesthesia problems, such as breathing or heart problems

Blood clots in the legs or lungs

Infection

Heavy bleeding

Early menopause, if the ovaries are removed

Pain during sexual intercourse

Bradley urges women considering a hysterectomy to speak with their doctors about having the most minimally invasive procedure possible, especially those who aren’t at a healthy weight. Overweight women who have abdominal surgery for noncancerous conditions are at greater risk for bleeding and infection than women of normal weight, according to a study in the journal Human Reproduction in 2011. It was also found that underweight women had more complications with laparoscopic and abdominal surgery.

4. Should I expect menopausal symptoms after a hysterectomy?

Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate menstruation. Unless you have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy due to a medical reason, you likely won’t enter early menopause. But while most women don’t experience early menopause after a hysterectomy, some women may, even if they keep one or both ovaries, according to a Duke University study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology in December 2011. Researchers aren’t sure whether it’s the surgery itself or the underlying condition leading to a hysterectomy that brings on early menopause in some cases.

If your doctor feels you’re at risk for ovarian cancer, your ovaries may also be removed, Bradley says, although this isn’t common. And if your ovaries are removed and you were premenopausal, you will likely go into abrupt menopause. Hot flashes, night sweats, and other symptoms may result. Estrogen replacement therapy can help alleviate these hysterectomy-related issues, Bradley says. However, there's some concern that taking estrogen could raise your breast cancer risk if you’re over 45.

5. Will I still enjoy sex after a hysterectomy?

Women often report better sex after a hysterectomy, Bradley says, because the procedure relieved pain or heavy bleeding, and because they don’t have to worry about a possible unwanted pregnancy anymore. Some women who also have their cervix removed, however, may experience a drop in testosterone and possible sexual dysfunction. Don’t hesitate to discuss the sexual side effects and risks with your doctor before moving forward with a hysterectomy.

Bradley encourages women to work with their doctors to avoid hysterectomy. But when all other treatment alternatives are exhausted, hysterectomy may help — many women are relieved to be out of pain, especially if they’re not concerned about fertility.