Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. In a total hysterectomy, the uterus and cervix are removed, and, in some cases, so are the fallopian tubes and ovaries. In a subtotal hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed. In a radical hysterectomy, the uterus, cervix, ovaries, oviducts, lymph nodes, and lymph channels are removed. The type of hysterectomy performed depends on the reason for the procedure. In all cases, menstruation stops and a woman can no longer bear children.

In the United States, about 600,000 hysterectomies are done every year, making it the second most common operation. By age 60, roughly one out of every three American women will have had a hysterectomy.

Most (30%) of all hysterectomies in the United States are done to remove fibroid tumors. Fibroid tumors, or "fibroids" are non-cancerous (benign) growths in the uterus. They can cause pelvic and lower-back pain and heavy or lengthy menstrual...