Are There Alternatives to a Hysterectomy?

Are There Alternatives to a Hysterectomy?

Second only to C-sections, the hysterectomy is the most common operation women undergo.

In the U.S. alone, one-third of women by age 60 receive a hysterectomy. CBC estimates that in North America, one of every two women receives a hysterectomy by age 65. Are these hysterectomies really necessary, and are there alternatives to this radical operation?

A hysterectomy is a surgical operation in which a woman’s uterus is removed in hopes that fibroids, endometriosis, or other conditions can be treated. However, according to CBC, for 98% of these women, the "devastating surgery on their reproductive organs" is simply "unnecessary."

Doctors often order a hysterectomy for three conditions:

1. Growing fibroids in the uterus. These are non-cancerous, benign tumors growing in the muscle of the uterus.

2. Endometriosis. This is a condition in which the uterus’ lining begins to grow on the outside of the uterus and surrounding organs.
3. Uterine Prolapse. A prolapse occurs when the uterus begins to move downward toward the vagina.

The aftermath of a hysterectomy may involve digestive problems, depression, fatigue, incontinence (inability to hold one’s urine), loss of sex drive, pain, infection, and other problems. The National Women’s Health Information Center says that "even death" can result from a hysterectomy.

750,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in North America. In effect, 80% of these women become "castrated," which means their ovaries are removed as well for no other reason than “they don’t need them any more.”

MY COMMENTS:
Obviously too many of these are done!

Attention to some simple lifestyle points would minimize these operations and the side effects that women suffer from.

Fibroids are a hormonal imbalance with relatively too much estrogen and too little progesterone. By measuring female hormone levels, these hormones can be balanced out and usually the fibroids will resolve.

Obesity, blood sugar problems, and insulin resistance also contribute to fibroids and are factors in endometriosis as well. These can be handled with proper diet.

Prolapsing uterus often means that the connective tissue has not healed properly after childbirth. This is due to poor healing and is often due to protein and Vitamin C deficiency, among other nutrients. Exercise is also important to keep the muscles toned.

Gynecologists should be educated toward solutions that are kinder than the knife. The solutions exist, and often are effective.

For a health consultation at LifeWorks Wellness Center, call 727-466-6789.

"Sex, lies, and secrecy: dissecting hysterectomy"
CBC Television
2004

"Hysterectomy"
The National Women’s Health Information Center
Nov 2002