What is a hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is an operation in which someone’s uterus or womb is removed. There are many reasons why somebody might need or choose to get a hysterectomy. While it’s most common for women aged 40-50 to have one, other groups can be affected too, such as younger women or transgender men.

When someone has a hysterectomy and their ovaries are also removed, they may begin to experience menopausal symptoms.

This website explains what a hysterectomy is, how it is performed, and what is likely to happen afterwards, including recovery time. It’s likely to be very useful if you are undergoing a hysterectomy yourself, and also could be helpful if a colleague will be. The information might be useful when building your own menopause policy and guidelines for your organisation.