hysterectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the uterus (womb). The operation is performed to treat fibroids (benign tumours growing in the uterus) or cancer; also to relieve heavy menstrual bleeding. A woman who has had a hysterectomy will no longer menstruate and cannot bear children.

Instead of a full hysterectomy it is sometimes possible to remove the lining of the womb, the endometrium, by a ‘keyhole’ procedure known as endometrial resection, using either diathermy or a laser. This procedure avoids the complications, such as infections, that can occur after hysterectomy.