Medical tests & procedures Sexual health Women's health

8 hysterectomy myths and facts

From recovery time to post-surgery sex life, get the facts about some of the most common misconceptions.

Jan, 2026

Myth: A Hysterectomy Will Change Your Identity

Myth: You’ll Start Menopause Right After Surgery

Myth: You Won’t Want To—Or Won’t Be Able To—Have Sex

Myth: It’s Always A Major Surgery With A Long Recovery

Myth: You’ll Need To Stay In Bed For Weeks

Myth: A Hysterectomy Will Cause Vaginal Prolapse

Myth: Hysterectomies always cause big scars

Myth: A hysterectomy is your only option

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Slide 1

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.

Written byRose Hayes, MA, RN.

Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.August, 2023

Sources: Stewart EA + 13

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Hysterectomy. Last updated January 2021.
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. Reviewed September 15, 2022.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Vaginal Prolapse. Accessed November 11, 2022
Meriwether KV, Antosh DD, et al.. Uterine preservation vs hysterectomy in pelvic organ prolapse surgery: a systematic review with meta-analysis and clinical practice guidelines. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Aug;219(2):129-146.e2.
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. April 27, 2021.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Endometriosis. Last updated February 2021.
The North American Menopause Society. Menopause 101: A primer for the perimenopausal. Accessed on October 28, 2021.
Office on Women’s Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hysterectomy. Last updated April 1, 2019.
Women’s Health Concern. Prolapse: Uterine and vaginal. Published August 2021.

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