HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
A hysterectomy is an operation to take out your womb (uterus). It's a major operation. Doctors do it much less now than they did in the past, because other treatments are available.
Unless you have cancer of the womb (uterine cancer), doctors will only do a hysterectomy if other treatments have not worked. After a hysterectomy, you will not have periods and you will not be able to become pregnant.
Your surgeon will always discuss the surgery with you and what you can expect.
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This pamphlet explains more about what hysterectomy involves, the different ways the operation can be done, and what to expect afterwards.
More detailed information about hysterectomy
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2021.
Review key: HIHYS-140914