Most gynaecological disorders are not life-threatening. They may nevertheless severely affect women's quality of life. The majority of hysterectomies are performed to treat non-malignant conditions, to enhance the quality of life rather than save life. Recent research shows an enhancement in quality of life during the early years after hysterectomy. Furthermore, research shows that hysterectomy does not cause any adverse psychological outcome in otherwise psychologically healthy women, but presurgical psychopathology is predictive of postsurgical psychopathology. Research also shows that most gynaecological cancer survivors enjoy a relatively good quality of life.