Vaginal hysterectomy not only offers complete protection against childbearing but prevention from future benign and malignant uterine disease. This concept has been advocated and practiced by some gynecologists in the past, but more vaginal hysterectomies have been performed for sterilization under the guise of mild, asymptomatic, benign uterine disease. Vaginal hysterectomy for sterilization was performed by 9 fully trained gynecologists from February 1, 1970 through June 30, 1971. The averages and ranges for age, parity, operative time, hospital stay and estimated blood loss are listed and discussed. Operative and postoperative complications, additional surgical procedures, pathology findings and contraceptive status of these patients at the time of operation are presented and discussed. Also presented and discussed is 1 operative death. Our data reinforce the concept that vaginal hysterectomy is the preferred method of sterilization in the young female who has completed her family and wants to be protected against future benign and malignant uterine disease and be spared the drudgery of menses for a 15–20-year period.