One hundred and fifty-six patients with menorrhagia of benign origin were interviewed before hysterectomy, and again six months (n = 147) and 18 months (n = 148) after the operation. Psychiatric outcome, measured in terms of PSE cases detected at 18 months, was strongly associated with pre-operative mental state, neuroticism, previous psychiatric history, and family psychiatric history. No association was found with organic pathology in the uterus, bilateral oophorectomy or demographic variables.