Hysterectomy: Hands Off My Uterus!
Hysterectomy: Hands Off My Uterus!
An interview with Nora W. Coffey, the
founder of Hysterectomy Educational
Resources and Services (HERS) Foundation.
Nora Coffey went into surgery for a straight-forward procedure to remove a benign cyst and left without her uterus and ovaries, a startling medical event that changed her life, compelling her to found HERS, the Hysterectomy Educational Resources and Services Foundation, to educate other women about the subject.
Her cautionary tale is especially relevant as robotic surgery is touted as an expedient, efficient and safer minimally invasive procedure for hysterectomy.
posted by HERS Foundation @ 10:22 PM
15 Comments
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15 Comments:
Our stories are similar. My doctor also should have only removed a benign ovarian cyst. Instead he desexed / castrated me. There was nothing wrong with my uterus or ovaries aside from the cyst. How is this not a criminal offense of sexual assault? Or at least a valid medical malpractice case?
Thank you Nora (and HERS staff) for your tireless efforts in educating others about the lifelong functions of the uterus and ovaries and the permanent damage caused by hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures.
The HERS Foundation should be ashamed of themselves - another wannabe "medical" organization that shouldn't even have a non-profit status. You have ZERO medical authority to be touting scare tactic BS to women about hysterectomies. The information you present on your website is both dangerous and you need to get your facts straight. The way you present your information is negative and it sends the message that women are idiots and can't think for themselves. Do you know how many women NEED to have hysterectomies to save their lives? Have you ever heard of cancer???? I recently had a hysterectomy and I've never felt better. I have my life back and I don't feel scarred or damaged, and how DARE you tell women that hysterectomy is going to ruin their lives. Not to mention, it is not your place or right to tell a woman what she should do or not do with her body. I worked in public health for a long time and your supposed foundation disgusts me. I wish someone would shut down your funding because you are doing a grave and dangerous disservice to the public health community concerning educating women about their GYN health. Instead of hands off my uterus, hands off my choice and MY body. My body, my choice and that includes MY decision to choose to have a better quality of life. You don't know me or my circumstances or any woman's circumstances who decide to have a hysterectomy. Women aren't idiots! I did my research--you know, scientific, medical research and got plenty of second opinions. In no way, do I feel like damaged goods nor desexed NOR castrated--that is the most awful word you could possibly use to scare a woman--shame on you. Absolutely disgusting and I feel bad for the women who actually believe this bogus crap you're spewing through your foundation. And I'm not the only one who thinks your tactics and methods are abominable. Betsy B. Honest feels the same way. And the last time I checked my vagina wasn't ballooning out or hanging down my legs!!!
Therese,
If you know of a specific statement on HERS website or videos that is not medically correct, please tell us. The information on HERS website is well documented in medical journals, medical textbooks and other medical literature. If there is anything in error, please tell us specifically and we will immediately correct it.
Providing factual information about the functions of the female organs and the consequences of their removal is important for women to learn about the effects of hysterectomy. Information gives women the power to make their own informed decisions. Denying women being given information, which is what you seem to be advocating, keeps women in the dark.
The issue is not whether a hysterectomy and castration (removal of the female gonads, the ovaries, is castration) is medically warranted, the primary issue is hysterectomy informed consent. Unless women are informed about the lifelong functions of the female organs and the damaging effects of their removal, regardless of the reason the surgery is performed, they are not empowered to make an informed choice. In all circumstances, including a diagnosis of cancer, women have a right to make an informed decision about treatment. You made a decision that you feel was right for you, that was your choice and it should not be judged.
It is understandable that you think the information HERS presents about the consequences of hysterectomy is scary and negative. It is both, and as such, it is imperative that women be told this critically important information. We should not withhold scary or negative information from women, indeed, that would be treating them like incompetents.Well informed women are equipped to make decisions about their health that is right for them.
I agree the word castration brings to mind a very negative image. It is, however, the medically accurate word for removal of the ovaries. The ovaries are the female gonads. Removal of the ovaries is castration. If you look up castration in a medical dictionary you will see it defined as removal of the testicles or ovaries. I agree with you that castration is an "awful" surgery. I encourage everyone to use the medically correct words so that women understand what is recommended to them.
I hope you will respond and tell HERS anything on our website that is not accurate.
Theresa,
I was told I had cancer but I did not have cancer. I got several opinions myself but if I had followed the doctors that recommended a hysterectomy, I would have had a major surgery that just was not necessary. I finally found a doctor that was truthful with me and all I had wrong was a hormone imbalance due to peri-menopause. Today, I am intact.
I personally am thankful that HERS provides the facts - it helped me when I was researching for the truth. The facts are ugly but there is not a "nice" way to present the reality of a hysterectomy. The truth is what it is.
Jacqueline
Only about 2% of hysterectomies are done for cancer. So why do 1 in 2 women have a hysterectomy by age 72?
ACOG concluded as part of a study that 76% of hysterectomies don't meet their criteria so obviously many women are having their SEX organ(s) needlessly removed. Yet ACOG isn't doing anything to change it.
Women who seek out the truth about their diagnosis and the lifelong functions of the female organs (as provided by the non-profit HERS Foundation) rarely choose hysterectomy or castration. Of course, that requires that they were told their true diagnosis versus lies. I've heard too many stories of women who were told they HAVE cancer or "pre-cancer" that WILL BECOME cancer when that wasn't the case. But the deception goes much further than that.
Many women who've been hysterectomized need to justify their decision. It's difficult to come to terms with having been betrayed and harmed by a doctor. And it's difficult for many women to admit (to themselves and others) that they had a sex organ(s) removed. This perpetuates the overuse and abuse of hysterectomy.
Ladies,
Hysterectomies are all about money. Do you think gyn's make their comfortable lifestyle doing pap smears? Go to your local county record information and see what they paid for their house(s). They have to fund it some how. It's also fun to do surgery... that is what they like to do. Go to a nurse practitioner for your routine pap smears if you feel you need them.
According to the book "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, surgery is described as addictive per the following:
Surgeons, for instance, describe operations as being addictive, “like taking heroin."
So we're up against a combination of money, power, and addiction.
The ABIM Foundation initiated a campaign called "Choosing Wisely" to help patients get care that's NECESSARY, DOESN'T CAUSE HARM, and IS SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE. Each specialty developed a list of unnecessary tests and procedures.
Even though the top two unnecessary surgeries are c-section and hysterectomy, only C-section is on ACOG's list. ACOG itself has determined that 76% of hysterectomies do NOT meet their criteria and there's plenty of medical evidence showing the harm of hysterectomy. It's obvious that gynecologists' hands will have to be forced into stopping this practice of de-sexing women.
Many women express attachment to their uterus, under the misconception that the uterus is what makes them feel like a woman. To clarify, the uterus has one, maybe two important functions for a woman. First and foremost, it is an incubator—a warm, nurturing place for a baby to grow. Its questionable second function is to remind you that it’s an incubator, by bringing you your monthly period! However, when it comes to feeling like a woman, in terms of having well-rounded breasts and vaginal lubrication, your uterus is not responsible. Your ovaries are responsible for the maintenance of these feminine characteristics by producing hormones. In the case that a hysterectomy (without removal of the ovaries) is indicated, lasting side effects are limited once the woman has healed. For women who are pre-menopausal, they will no longer be able to carry a child and will not have a monthly period. However, it is important to note that a woman will not go into full menopause if the ovaries are left intact. In cases where hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries is indicated (e.g., some cancer cases), a pre-menopausal woman will experience acute onset of menopause symptoms, which may include: hot flashes, night sweats, increased emotional lability, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, osteoporosis, pain during sex (dyspareunia) and decreased genital sensation.
With that said, there are lots of medical reasons to consider a hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus. For cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer, hysterectomy is often a treatment option that is seriously considered, but varies on an individual woman’s circumstances (e.g., of child bearing age, intent to reproduce, etc.). For conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain, a hysterectomy is one of many options. While hysterectomy may be an option with the proper indications, there are many other non-surgical or less invasive procedures that a woman can choose from during an informed consent with her gynecologist or gynecological oncologist. Options include ongoing monitoring with your doctor, medications, hormone therapy, focused ultrasound, and other surgical procedures based on your particular issue and circumstances. Essentially, hysterectomy is no longer the primary answer for these wide ranging gynecological issues, so it is important to discuss your concerns and your options with your physician.
Dr. Robert Jason - You evidently haven't watched the female anatomy video detailing the lifelong functions of the female SEX organs (uterus included). Or maybe you just choose to ignore these facts. As Upton Sinclair said "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it."
Listed below are the MANY non-reproductive (lifelong) functions of the uterus:
1) Cardiovascular protection - Premenopausal hysterectomy is associated with a 3x risk of heart disease - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7457522
2) Pelvic integrity (skeletal) - Four sets of ligaments are severed to remove the uterus. This compromises pelvic integrity leading to spine compression, widening hip bones, back, hip, rib cage pain, and a protruding belly.
3) Pelvic integrity (internal anatomy) - Hysterectomy causes displacement of the bladder and bowel leading to elimination problems, incontinence, and prolapse.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8677073
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16458626
4) Endocrine function - The uterus, ovaries, and tubes work together as a system. When a woman has all her parts, her ovaries will produce hormones into her 80's. When the uterus is removed, the ovaries are shown to fail about 40% of the time resulting in a castrative type "menopause" with increased all cause mortality similar to that of ovary removal.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3746790
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9689206
5) Sexual function - Without a uterus, a woman cannot have a uterine orgasm. Additionally, severed nerves and blood vessels cause reduced sensation / sexual function.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16098153
Since you think women's SEX organs are disposable, do you think men's prostates or testicles are no longer needed after they've had all the children they desire??
Truthseeker, it's not surprising that you didn't receive a response from good old doc. The comment about women having an attachment to their uterus being a misconception is the biggest pile of demeaning crap I've ever heard. I never had an attachment to my uterus any more than any other body part. However, after having a quack cut it out of me, now my ability to have an orgasm is nearly impossible, and at best it's diminished about 70%. I love how they always bring up cancer, yet the instance of cancer is miniscule compared to the female sex organs that are being amputated every year.
Women attached to their uterus??? You bet we are, Robert Jason, and we intend to keep our uteri connected to their ligaments, nerves and blood supply! You, and the majority of gynecologists, are determine to detach and remove the uterus from all women who do not use it for pregnancy. You are a medieval doctor, stuck in the dark ages, the period void of intellectual thought and filled with barbarity.
Women are attached to their gonads, too. Truth Seeker gave you the start of a basic 101 elementary Female Anatomy lesson. If you pass the exam and continue to Female Anatomy 102 you will learn that the ovaries are the female gonads. Women are attached to their balls, though they are difficult to hold onto when gynecologists remove them from 73% of women during hysterectomy. The medically correct word for removal of the ovaries is castration.
Robert, are you finished fathering children? Or perhaps you choose not to be a father. Why do you remain attached to your penis and testicles?
Are you suffering from the concept that your male organs are part of what makes you feel like you are a man?
Robert, it is not too late to educate yourself. Watch the video Female Anatomy and the life long Functions of the Female Organs at www.hersfoundation.org. There will be an exam following the video about the consequences of removing the female organs. The information is critically important, therefore the exam is pass/fail. Your score must be 100% to pass. It is imperative that all medical students and doctors know functions of the female organs.
You can take your hands off of your crotch. No one is amputating and removing the male organs of men who do not use them for conception.
It's clear that gynecology is living in the "dark ages" since Graduate Medical Education accreditation requirements emphasize hysterectomy to the exclusion of uterus-sparing procedures. With fibroids being one of the most common "reasons" for hysterectomy, why is myomectomy not included on the GME Accreditation Council's required procedures? They continue to emphasize abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomies.
http://acgme.org/acgmeweb/Portals/0/PFAssets/ProgramResources/220_Ob_Gyn%20Minimum_Numbers_Announcment.pdf
This article on Medpagetoday is more evidence of gynecologists' tactics to justify removal of women's sex organs - Study Suggests Benefit for Salpingectomy
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Reposting since the article title didn't come through as a link -
This article on Medpagetoday is more evidence of gynecologists' tactics to justify removal of women's sex organs - Study Suggests Benefit for Salpingectomy
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ACOG/39003?utm_source=cardio-meetings&utm_medium=email&utm_content=mpt&utm_campaign=DCH
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