"A comprehensive look at hysterectomy:
The Ultimate Rape" by Elizabeth Plourde
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
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Intro & Role of Progesterone

Medical consequences of surgery

Too many hysterectomies?

Sue:
Back in the 80s when you had your hysterectomy doctors didn't seem to know as much as they do today about hormones, not removing ovaries unless necessary etc... What do you attribute this change to?

Elizabeth:
From what I have been reading, and what I am hearing from the women who write me, there are still many who recommend hysterectomies and prophylactic ovarian removal today.   Indeed, the latest figures on these surgeries show that in 1997, 604,000 women underwent hysterectomies, and 485,000 women had their ovaries removed.  These numbers are still epidemic in proportion, as only 10% of the hysterectomies are for cancer, and 26,700 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer a year. Most of the women who write to me are unable to obtain relief from their hormone imbalance symptoms created by either their hysterectomy or ovary removal, because there is still a lack of knowledge and understanding about hormone replacement.  It took a doctor who understood hormone imbalance a year and a half to balance my hormones, because each woman is so unique.   What works for one woman may not work for another, so it can only be done by trial-and-error.  My book has a whole chapter on hormone replacement therapy and describes why it is important to utilize methods that absorb through the skin, such as patches, creams, or implanted pellets, rather than taking them orally.

Sue:
As I read your book The Ultimate Rape, I couldn't get one question out of my head- Why haven't women been told or learned about the many functions or jobs our reproductive organs, uterus, ovaries etc... do besides the reproductive activities ( pregnancy, menstruation)?

Elizabeth:
They have not been told because of the lack of recognition of the many functions they perform.  The prevailing belief that they are only essential for childbearing is what has allowed these surgeries to keep moving forward in such epidemic proportions.   I wrote the book I wish had been available before I consented to the operation.   I spent 12 long, hard years reading the entire century of literature on the subject of hysterectomies and ovarian removal, and studying the biochemical information from the scientific studies that have been conducted, to piece together all the functions and interactions these organs have with the entire body.

This information is critical for all women to know before they consent to these surgeries.

It is also essential afterward, enabling women to understand what is going on inside of their bodies on a daily basis, so they can get the help they need before heart attacks, strokes, or osteoporotic hip breaks occur.  Hysterectomies and ovarian removal catapult women into these 3 conditions, which combined result in over 500,000 deaths a year in women in the United States.  All 3 cancers combined (uterine, cervical, and ovarian), for which these surgeries are performed, result in 24,000 deaths a year.  Women deserve to know the odds they are facing when opting for removal of vital organs that protect them from cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.  Without this information, women really do not sign an "Informed Consent" when they elect to have these surgeries.

Medical consequences of surgery
Sue:
Your book is very passionate and straightforward.  Through your own experience you really have developed a crusade for women.  How has your life changed since your hysterectomy?

see the answer from Elizabeth

Ovarian Cancer Facts
Signs & Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Ovarian cancer is our most deadliest gynecologic cancer. It ranks number 4 in the cause of cancer deaths in women. Most of us have a less that 2% lifetime chance of developing ovarian cancer. But, every year over 25,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. But once diagnosed with ovarian cancer 75% of women will die within 5 years of their diagnosis. Early detection is the key. How can you tell if you have it?

Meet the Author
"Menopause Made Easy"
by Dr. Carolle Jean-Marat, MD
hosted by Sue Spataro
Interview & FREE Excerpt
Today's woman must educate herself about menopause and the risks and rewards of taking HRT, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic therapies. With humor, candor, and plain non-technical language, Dr. Jean-Murat discusses the current needs and concerns of midlife women, empowering us to make the right decisions. In our interview, she discusses Selecting over the counter products, Black Cohosh, and Racial Differences & Menopause and also features a FREE excerpt from her book, Stress and Depression. If you have any questions, you can ask them on our HotFlash support group.

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