Women's Health

Before a hysterectomy, you may have:

• A physical exam, during which your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history.
• A pelvic examination.
• Blood tests.
• An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which measures the electrical signals that control the rhythm of your heartbeat, if you are over the age of 40 or have diabetes or high blood pressure.
• A meeting with the doctor who will perform the hysterectomy. During this meeting, the doctor will explain how the surgery will be done, where the surgical incisions will be made, and the risks and expected outcomes of the surgery. You will probably receive written instructions about how to prepare for surgery at this time.
• A meeting with an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. During this meeting, you will discuss the types of anesthetic recommended for use during the surgery. You may not meet with this person until the day of your surgery.

Your doctor may order additional tests based on your physical examination and medical history. These tests may include:

• A pregnancy test if you have not reached menopause.
• Urine tests, such as urinalysis, to check for any signs of urinary tract infection.
• A chest X-ray, for a general evaluation before using general anesthesia.
• Blood typing, in case you should need a blood transfusion (which is rare).
• Blood clotting studies, if you tend to have excessive bleeding or a history of deep vein thrombosis.

See a list of questions to ask your doctor when you are considering hysterectomy.