A hysterectomy is an operation to remove your womb (uterus). After the operation you will no longer be able to have children. If you haven't yet gone through the menopause, you will no longer have periods.
It's estimated that one in five women will have had their uterus removed by the age of 55.
Hysterectomies are performed to treat conditions that affect the female reproductive system, such as heavy periods (menorrhagia), non-cancerous tumours (fibroids) and types of cancer.
It's a common operation. Around 60,000 women in the UK have a hysterectomy every year. However, there is a movement away from carrying out hysterectomies unless it's considered absolutely necessary. It's a major operation with a long recovery time.
In addition, with continuous progress in medicine and surgery, there may be other less invasive ways of improving your quality of life or dealing with the pain or period problems you are experiencing.
Fallopian tubes
Fallopian tubes (also called oviducts or uterine tubes) are the two tubes that connect the uterus to the ovaries in the female reproductive system.
Womb
The uterus (also known as the womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus (womb), cervix and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
HRT
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves giving hormones to women when the menopause starts, to replace those that the body no longer produces.
Ovaries
Ovaries are the pair of reproductive organs that produce eggs and sex hormones in females.
