A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus. It may be performed for various medical reasons, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, or cancer. Depending on the specific case, the surgery can be partial (removing the uterus but leaving the cervix) or total (removing both the uterus and cervix). Patients may experience significant changes in their menstrual cycle and fertility following the procedure.