Hysterectomy: Making a Decision

Hysterectomy: Making a Decision

 

Hysterectomy: Making a Decision

It is estimated that over 1000 hysterectomies are performed each week in the UK and that number totals more than 11,000 in the US. Hysterectomy is the most commonly performed operation, and it has, over the past decades, been used to 'solve' all manner of female problems. Hysterectomies are rarely performed to save lives, many are unnecessary and the most common reason for a hysterectomy is heavy periods. Frankly, the removal of a fundamental part of a woman's body for this reason is nothing short of scandalous.

It may be that you do need a hysterectomy for legitimate medical reasons, but before you make that decision you need to know what choices are available to you and whether there are other ways of approaching the problem. The majority of hysterectomy operations are not necessary, but many women are unaware that there are viable alternatives. If, in fact, your hysterectomy is necessary, there are still choices to be made. Should you keep your ovaries? Can your cervix be left in place? There are many, many options available to most women, but to make an informed decision, you need to know the facts. All of these points will be covered in detail below and in the rest of this chapter.

Some time ago I was speaking at a seminar on Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS). One gynaecologist stood up to outline his solution to the problem, which involved a total hysterectomy, removing the ovaries as well. The logic behind this was that if a woman did not have a cycle, she would not suffer from pre-menstrual symptoms! This 'treatment' was offered even to young women, in the midst of their childbearing years. Certainly the PMS symptoms would be wiped out, but what these women probably would not know is that a radical hysterectomy involving the removal of the womb and the ovaries would plunge them straight into the menopause, with all the its symptoms. So, for example, the irritability of PMS would be traded for hot flushes. The solution to early menopause and its symptoms? HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that dealing with the PMS symptoms would be a much more viable, and healthy, solution.

It is this sort of radical 'treatment' option that you need to question. Always remember that it is your body, and you will almost always have choices. Educate yourself on the options, and make your decision after seeking a number of different opinions.

What your doctor might tell you
It may be suggested that you should have a hysterectomy for any of the conditions below:

• heavy periods
  
• fibroids
  
• endometriosis
  
• prolapse
  
• pelvic inflammatory disease
  
• cancer