<p>The uterus is central to womanhood: it's the baby house, and allows for menstruation. So, what's it like to have it removed?</p><p>Each year around 30,000 Australian women have a hysterectomy — to relieve pain, to treat cancer, or as part of gender affirming care.</p><p>The path to surgery isn't always straightforward or quick. It can involve years of heartache, confusion and BS from specialists. But for most women, a hysterectomy is a game changer, bringing lasting relief and restoring quality of life.</p><p>Yumi Stynes speaks to women who've a had hysterectomy and finds out what led to their decision and what life is like on the other side.</p><p>Plus, gynaecologist and endometriosis specialist Dr Pav Nanayakkara explains the reasons we might need to get a hysterectomy, how to navigate the side effects of having your reproductive organs removed and whether we can still achieve the big O post-surgery.</p><p>Helpful resources:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.ausendofoundation.org.au/">Ausralian Endometrosis Foundation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/">Jean Hailes Foundation</a></li></ul><p> This episode will answer questions like:</p><ul><li>What is a hysterectomy?</li><li>Why do people get a hysterectomy?</li><li>What are the different types of hysterectomy?</li><li>What happens after a hysterectomy?</li><li>Do I need my uterus?</li><li>Will a hysterectomy cure my adenomyosis pain?</li><li>Will a hysterectomy cure my endometriosis?</li><li>Did Lena Dunham get a hysterectomy?</li></ul><p>What to listen to next:</p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk/single-ladies-mafs/106474966" target="_blank">"Where the hell is my husband?" Women who've never had a partner — ABC listen</a></p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk/endometriosis-ladies-we-need-to-talk/105802854" target="_blank">Will we ever have a cure for endometriosis? — ABC listen</a></p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk/ladies-we-need-to-talk-dating-app-single-events/105735208" target="_blank">The new way to date — ABC listen</a></p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk/family-estrangement-beckham/106504448" target="_blank">Family Feuds: Is estrangement the new normal? — ABC listen</a></p><p>You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>What to read next:</p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-09/why-kate-chose-to-stay-flat-after-breast-cancer-surgery/106087348" target="_blank">Why Kate chose to 'stay flat' after breast cancer surgery — ABC News</a></p><p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-31/why-these-women-have-never-had-a-partner/106471900" target="_blank">Why these women have never had a partner — ABC News</a></p><p>This episode contains references to hysterectomies, hysterectomy, uterus, medical misogyny, surgery, ovaries, gender affirming care, relationships, orgasms.</p>