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Hysterectomies, which are surgeries to remove the uterus, are very common in the United States. After cesarean sections, they’re the most frequently performed surgical procedure for people who have a uterus and are of reproductive age. You may have heard, though, about certain myths surrounding the procedure.
It’s true that hysterectomies can be major, invasive surgeries with long recovery times. But medicine has advanced a long way in the last 30 years and minimally invasive surgical techniques can greatly shorten recovery time. Today, the procedure may be appropriate for those with conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, and uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
Whether you’re weighing your treatment options or about to have surgery, clearing up some of these persistent hysterectomy myths can help you make an informed decision.
Sources: Stewart EA, Shuster LT, Rocca WA. Reasse... + 11
- Stewart EA, Shuster LT, Rocca WA. Reassessing hysterectomy. Minn Med. 2012 Mar;95(3):36-9.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hysterectomy. May 2025.
- Office on Women’s Health. Hysterectomy. February 27, 2025.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The Menopause Years. December 2025.
- Danesh M, Hamzehgardeshi Z, et al. The effect of hysterectomy on women’s sexual function: a narrative review. Med Arch. 2015;69(6):387-392.
- Cleveland Clinic. Hysterectomy. Reviewed October 16, 2021.
- Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Prolapse. September 15, 2022.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Vaginal Prolapse. Accessed March 26, 2026.
- Coolen A-LWM, Bui BN, Dietz V, et al. The treatment of post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2017;28(12):1767-1783.
- Smith TA, Poteat TA, Shobeiri SA. Pelvic organ prolapse: an overview. JAAPA. 2014;27(3):20-24; quiz 33.
- Mayo Clinic. Abdominal hysterectomy. February 28, 2023.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Endometriosis. February 2021.
