There has been a media blitz surrounding recent discussion of the pros and cons of surgical removal of the ovaries during hysterectomy (see Cochrane article below). But the most important issue has yet to be addressed: the uterus should rarely be removed in the first place.
The article below perpetuates a dangerous myth through the subliminal message that if your ovaries are left intact you’ll be fine if only your uterus is removed. Those who are unaware of the aftermath of hysterectomy, with or without castration, can join more than 400,000 others who have watched the HERS
12-minute video by clicking here: “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs.”
If the analysis was a sincere effort to provide women with the information they need to make informed decisions about whether or not to allow a doctor to remove their ovaries, the article would have used the word castration, which conveys an immediate understanding of the gravity of their decision. The ovaries are the female gonads, the same as the testicles are the male gonads. The medically correct term for removal of the gonads is castration.
In the HERS Foundation’s ongoing study “Adverse Effects Data,” the experiences of hysterectomized women whose ovaries are left intact are strikingly similar to the women who are also castrated at the time of the surgery. Part of the reason for similar responses with or without castration is that in hysterectomized women whose ovaries aren’t removed, about 35-40% of the time the ovaries cease to function after hysterectomy, resulting in a de facto castration.
This information is public knowledge and has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals for more than a century, so neither journalists nor doctors who hold themselves out as experts in gynecology should get it wrong.
The response to these articles would be far different if the headlines read, “Should women be castrated during removal of other sex organs?”
Removing ovaries during hysterectomy: effects remain unknown
During hysterectomy operations, surgeons often remove a woman’s ovaries as well as her uterus. Cochrane Researchers now say there is no evidence that removing the ovaries provides any additional benefit and warn surgeons to consider the procedure carefully.
“Until more reliable research is available, removal of the ovaries at the time of hysterectomy should be approached with caution,” says lead researcher, Dr. Leonardo Orozco of the OBGYN Women’s Hospital San José in Costa Rica.
Of those women who undergo hysterectomies aged 40 or above, around half also have their ovaries removed. This amounts to more than 300,000 women a year in the US alone. The reason most commonly given for carrying out an oophorectomy at the same time is that it prevents ovarian cancer. However the ovaries produce not only estrogen, but also important hormones such as androgens that may have important clinical effects which have yet to be identified.
The researchers say there is little evidence to support the idea that removing the ovaries during a hysterectomy provides an overall health benefit. They identified only one controlled trial, involving 362 women. This compared hysterectomies with oophorectomies to hysterectomies without oophorectomies. Although this trial showed a very slight positive effect on psychological well-being when oophorectomies were performed, the team say much more data is required before any conclusions can be drawn.
“There could be a real benefit or harm associated with oophorectomy, but it has not been identified, more research of higher methodological quality is needed.” says Dr. Orozco.
Orozco LJ, Salazar A, Clarke J, Tristan M. Hysterectomy versus hysterectomy plus oophorectomy for premenopausal women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005638. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005638.pub2. Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group.
https://hersfoundation.org/
Amazing! Its truly awesome piece of writing, I have got much clear idea about
from this post.
This topic is quite new to me. However, I feel I must comment as I don't know where to voice my opinion on my own situation. I never new that it would be possible to have my eggs saved prior to a hysterectomy. I was not told that that would be possible as I had no idea. Once my full hysterectomy was done, for some reasons a fertility doctor (who I had seen before came to make sure I was cleared to leave the hospital). Why did he even come to see me is the real question? I am wondering if my gynecologist & this fertility expert stole my eggs for the fertility experts use? Why would a doctor not tell me options for egg retrieval prior to a hysterectomy? As surrogacy is legal in Canada, and I could have had a surrogate carry a future child of mine had I not been able to do so. My surgery was approximately 4 years ago. I am confused to say the least.
There have been reports by media about women's eggs being "harvested" by doctors for use in research. It's not outlandish to think that they may also profit from selling women's eggs.
I have heard of those pros and cons on the surgical removal and I have to say, if you let me on your blog, that I support this surgery, I think it would be beneficial for women
I am 34, a mother of seven, and I have had a history of fibroid cyst growing on my ovaries.I became pregnant with my twins two years ago,in one of my ulltra sounds they spotted the cyst, they told me that one was the size of a grapefruit and the other looked like a grape vine full of grapes. I had to have the twins by c- section, during this c – section they removed the cyst,I asked to see them.One had, no kidding and I'm not being funny,a head full of pretty hair and teeth, the other just a ball of flesh. I had my husband there he watched as they removed the babies and the cyst. At my six week check up they did another ultra sound,the cyst had grown back, this encouraged the suggestion of a hysterectomy.I asked all the questions, I have two aunts that had the surgery, one told me this was the best decision she had made, my other aunt regreted having the surgery. I asked my gyno if there was an alternative to the surgery, he told me that this would be the best way to treat the problem.I asked him did I have to have the total hysterectomy, he told me that it would be in my best interest to do so,if I didn't there may be more complications down the road,considering the fact that they found a cyst growing in the sac with one of the twins.So I asked what could be the possible complication and the first thing he said was,I would be more at risk for cervical cancer,so I agreed to the total hysterectomy. I understand what the Dr. means when she say's, she greived for her uterus, I kick myself daily for going through with this surgery. My freind that has had the surgery too came by and asked how was I dealing with having the operation, I told her that was the worst decision I have ever made, I would have been better off dealing with the pain. In disscusing what we are going through we share a lot of the same effects. Why is it that when you have this surgery your ability to control your bladder is gone, I am considering buying some depends,I can't sleep through the night because I am running to the bathroom every 10 to 15 minutes,my patience is very short,I don't like people around me,I lose my train of thought mid sentence,I thought it was the weed,I am angry most days for no reason,I cry because I hate myself for being the reason I am in more pain than I started with. Not all physical pain, mostly emotional pain,the phsical pain is a pain I have never felt before,when I laugh it feels like someone is inside me swinging on my internal organs,if I sit the wrong way I have muscel spasems in my stomach,but it is not my stomach,it feels more like my liver or kidney.I am more depressed now than I have ever been,I have days when I don't get out of bed.Before the surgery I was very confident in fact full of myself,now I ask my husband questions like,are you still attracked to me sexually,do you want someone else,why don't you look at me anymore,how long will it be before you leave or cheat on me.He always tell me I'm crazy he is not going anywhere,but this is how I feel most days.I have even come to the conclusion that I am suppose to be alone,I lash out at my children because they want to spend time with me,I roll my eyes most of the time when my husband speaks to me.You have to understand we love to have fun and laugh,but since the surgery I have become bitter and my sense of humor is not what it use to be,and I am so tired that I sometimes walk in circles. I am on a dangerous road to depression, the funny thing about it is I am able to recognize this and am not afraid to ask for help.I need someone to talk to that can help me,but how can they help me when they don't understand what I am goin through or feeling most days. I noticed a pattern my friend told me she thought it was just her, I told her it's not, there are side effects the doctor forgot to mention. I hope that if any of you are considering this surgery look for an alternative to deal with if it is not life threatening. KICKING MYSELF REPEATEDLY.
I am so sorry this was done to your mother. Did she get a copy of her medical records from the hospital's Medical Records Department? If not, she she get them as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, her only recourse is legal. HERS can help her find a medical malpractice attorney, and we can help her with litigation support.
If your mom would like to speak with a counselor about what she is experiencing please tell her to contact HERS at 610.667.7757 to arrange a telephone appointment to speak with a counselor. She can also fill out the Contact form on HERS website and we will email information to her. The website is http://www.hersfoundation.org.
My mother had a hysterectomy one year ago because of a fibroid in her uterus she recently find out that without her knowing the doctor also removed her ovaries. My mother never approved for her ovaries to be removed she told the doctor to only remove the uterus with the fibroid but not the ovaries. Now my mother is feeling very depress and she does not know what to do. Her ovaries were fine there was nothing wrong with them, the doctor just removed them for a reason that is unknown plus my mom did not approve this. Another thing I did not mention is that the doctor did not perform the surgery by herself and she had some other doctor in the OR.
My mother is 49. Has any one experience something similar? or what is your advise for us to do? Thank you very much.
Mrs. Hunt,
There are other ways to manage a prolapse. There is surgical resuspension of the uterus (few doctors have the skill to perform this surgery), the use of a device called a pessary, which is similar to the contraceptive device a diaphragm, and there is a modification of the Kegel exercises that is more effective than Kegel. To obtain more information, contact HERS at http://www.hersfoundation.org.
My name is Helen,
I recently was told I have prolapse
I could clearly feel something, I
thought it was my uterus.
They told me that I was feeling my bladder,that the uterus is basically
on top of the bladder or behind it.
I've been also dealing with leakage from the bladder,yet, it'pretty minute.I have to see the surgeon on Tuesday,Oct 27th.
I'm quiet nervous,and no hysterectoy for me ! Anyway,after talking to the surgeon,and after the exam (which I already had one along with an Ultra sound ,will
surgery be scheduled shortly after ?
I have to have it done before the New Year for Insurance reasons.
Can anyone be of any help with my
questions ?
It would be greatly appreciated.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU~
Sincerely,
Mrs.Helen Hunt-kellykatt ~
It is best to look at the actual studies, if someone can get it.
I have learned that abstracts, and media write-ups of a study, can vary from the ACTUAL FINDINGS, as pharmaceutical, device, and the medical industry lie and deceive, in order to control our uteri. We are so very lucrative for them.
Hello Nora
I'd love to see a "study bank" on your site. Or is it here and I've missed it? I think it's important that the (admittedly few) studies which back up our claims are on site, opening page, clearly available for download. Women can take them to their doctors, gynes, internists.
Thanks again for helping me. Intact 67 yr-old woman in Canada,
Four years post castration refusal, hysterectomy refusal. Diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Insisted on fibroid removal ("We never do that for a woman your age!"), D&C (two) and short course prometrium.
No problem since.
And this summary of the previously post Cochrane study. It is best to look at the actual study, if someone can get it.
I have learned that abstracts, and media write-ups of a study, can vary from the ACTUAL FINDINGS, as pharmaceutical, device, and the medical industry lie and deceive, in order to control our uteri. We are so very lucrative for them.
http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/new_research/20080715b.jsp
I hope President Obama understands what gynecologists are doing to the women in the U.S. [edited for publication]
Another news item of importance. Ovarian screening to detect early warning signs. It’s a study that I think is flawed.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/11/ovarian-cancer-screening-trail
Note it’s in the life and style section, not health.
What concerns me is this
‘There were also false alarms. In the ultrasound group, 845 women had surgery to remove their ovaries because the screening test suggested abnormalities, but only 45 of them had cancer.’
This is unacceptable and the trial should be stopped. I cannot imagine that if this was a trial regarding early detection of prostate cancer and the figures were the same, i.e. 845 men had prostate removal but only 45 actually had the cancer that the trial would continue.
Also I find it reprehensible that surgeons, on opening a woman and seeing healthy organs would then proceed to remove them. One can only conclude that they are
either so influenced by the findings of the scan result that it affects their surgical and medical abilities or
that the women, who after all consented, were treated as practice subjects.
Reading this report has angered me.
I had posted in September/October trying to get info on having a cryoablation. Well, I had gone through with it at the end of November. From the amount of pain and heaviness of periods that I had endured in the past 12 years, I thought that the risks couldn’t have been much worse.
The procedure itself lasted less that 1/2 hour and it was painless except for the needle to numb the area. When I stated that it was about the same amount of pain that I endure each month, he seemed surprised. I guess I didn’t stress enough that I was in real pain!
I had a discharge for about 2 weeks, then got my regular period in addition to the discharge- this was still a painful period, so I was discouraged about it. Then at the end of December, I got my period again with heavy cramping and blood loss(which only left me 1 week no bleeding.) The doctor said it would be that way for a few months, and give it until February to see if it takes. Yesterday, my period started again, and other than having a few days of PMS type depression, it has been pain free, and a VERY LIGHT flow. I had a lot more energy than I normally would for this time of the month.
I am a little more hopeful about having had this done. I was so against having a hysterectomy, and was leary about having this done, too, but I needed to do something- and didn’t want to end my life to end the pain.
Thanks to those that gave me information to contemplate, and your opinions on the matter. I will update again to let you know how it is going.
male in mich.
While I love my wife and as I’ve said before living in the aftermath of her castration makes it one day at a time. The last poster that indicated looks of a woman who is a victim of this mutilation is apparent. I couldn’t agree more. The other day setting at the lunch counter in the mall I watched people come and go. I’ve become expert at spotting the victims. Sad and not to insult anyone but why and how did it get to this point. The medical profession is in many ways a lot like the crooked financial “experts” who have ruined our economy. A strange parellel but opens the mind for thought. It not only ruined our intimate relationship it makes my wife’s attitude adjust daily. The last go around of medication she is on has improved her disposition but she is being told not to get used to it because she can only take it for about 6 months. After that I need to prepare for another round of wild mood swings.
I have yet to see one woman in real life who has been hysterectomized and castrated that looks healthy or vibrant. Why don’t you send us a picture? What I see, more often, after this is done to women, is that they become obsessed with this subject because it is devastating to have your sex organs removed and be castrated. I think a woman would have to be on the brink of insanity to brag about their sex organs being amputated. If it was actually necessary, it would be bad enough to be de-sexed. Who would want to brag? Hey look, I don’t have any sex organs and my vagina is sewn into a closed pocket and I am castrated!! Whoo hoo! I’m so happy now! I love the fact that my risk for heart disease is 7 times greater and I also love that my bladder has been damaged and the nerves from my legs and genitals to my spine and upper body have been severed. Yeah, that’s awesome! What kind of person would be happy about that?
If you were hysterectomized and castrated, you were duped just like all the other women here. The fact that you overlook the extensive damage that it does to your body, is simply denial. When you understand the extensive damage that it does to a woman, unless you are a sociopath, why would you want to brag and encourage other women to do the same thing?
I know someone who had severe endo, and was given hysterectomy castration as her only option. She was in very good health, but now she’s a mess and has chronic pain and bladder problems, not to mention severe hormonal problems. She was duped and lied to by other women that she’d feel great. You can’t be sexy and have great sex without sex organs, unless you’re nuts.
If you were a man saying that your sex life was great after being castrated, having your penis shortened and your prostrate removed, you’d be a laughing stock.
Dear Anonymous,
Did the doctor inform you that you would no longer achieve a uterine orgasm before the hysterectomy/sex organ removal operation?
Did the ob/gyn doctor inform you that removing your sex organ compromises your ovarian function which is part of your endocrine system, and why that is crucial to your well being?
Did the ob/gyn doctor inform you that there is no man made replacement for the substances housed in the uterus some of which have been discovered as recently as 1999 and some not identified yet?
Anonymous..You said “My life at the age of 44 is better than ever. I have a healthy glow and have never felt sexier, more vibrant and full of energy in my life.”
Is this because you can’t orgasm which always gives a woman a healthy glow or because you are only fooling yourself? The doctors who treated you were inept and your only option was to have your sex organ amputated? What a joke! The gynecologists don’t want to treat endometriosis, they want to operate, make money, laugh at women who say sex is better now and then do it again.
Dear HERS: It may be true that I might be a very rare case indeed who has had a positive experience with hysterectomy. The only side effect I experienced was minor adhesion pain which I managed to work out through physical therapy then followed by a regiment of cardio and weight training.
Perhaps women such as myself who have had to endure living with endometriosis during their prime years, look to hysterectomy as an option to finally rid themselves from the horrid pain.
Again, I did not have a life whatsoever during the 15+ years I lived with this disease.
My life at the age of 44 is better than ever. I have a healthy glow and have never felt sexier, more vibrant and full of energy in my life.
So I ask…what good is keeping these parts if you have to live in hell every day of the week?
Sorry for my bluntness but there is so much negativity in this group it is unbelievable. Where are the women who have had wonderful experiences who I’ve spoken to who helped me make my decision just by seeing how healthy they looked? We all should have a say–good or bad–about our experiences.
The reason I frequent your site among several other sites who deal with IC, endometriosis, IBS, vulvodynia, and pelvic floor dysfunction is because I want to give those women hope that you can live a healthy life free of pain and I am living proof of if.
I wish everyone well.
It’s great that you feel good about your decision to undergo hysterectomy and castration, it seems to have been the right decision for you. But before encouraging other women to have the same surgery, if you are aware of the adverse effects, what they are.
The uterus is a hormone responsive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel.
When the uterus is removed women have a three times greater incidence of heart disease, and when the ovaries are removed they have a seven times greater incidence of heart disease than women with intact organs.
Women who experience uterine orgasm will not experience it if after their uterus is removed.
The vagina is shortened and made into a closed pocket.
Removal of the female gonads, the ovaries, is castration. Both male and female castration cause a loss of vigor, sexual feeling, vibrancy, profound fatigue and loss of energy, flattened affect and personality change.
This is not to say that it was not an improvement over the way you felt before the surgery. But I find myself wondering why, when you’ve had such a positive experience that you want other women to know about, you choose to be anonymous. I find it curious that someone who found it such a good experience and who is not experiencing any problems from the surgery is, 17 years after her surgery, still looking for information about hysterectomy and female castration.
I wish you the best, and look forward to your response.
I am must either truly blessed or in total denial after reading the many comments here. I had a supracervical hysterectomy at 39, due to my 17-year battle with severe endometriosis.
I tried everything to help me during my battle with endo–drug therapy, holistic therapy, acupuncture, pelvic massage, you name it, but nothing worked. I slowly saw my life disappear and asked myself what kind of life is this?
When I decided to have my hysterectomy, I was thrilled to have this horrible pain gone. I had lost so much blood from endometriosis that my overall health was at stake. Gone was the energy I once knew in my early 20’s. Now, at the age of 44, I am more vibrant, sexual, and full of energy before I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 27!
Regular checkups with my doctor confirm that I am doing great and not losing any estrogen.
I believe for some women, such as myself, hysterectomy can be a positive move. Why live with horrible debilitating pain and watch it slowly ruin every aspect of your life?
Another question I raise is: “Could a major contributor to my overall health today be that I was always physically fit before and after my hysterectomy?”
I wish everyone well.
Niecey,
I’m sorry, too, that you didn’t know about HERS and the blog prior to your surgery. Before proceeding with any more surgery or treatment you might want to discuss your medical situation. You can schedule a telephone appointment to speak with a counselor by contacting HERS at 610.667.7757. If you have your medical records it would help if you send them to HERS in advance of your appointment.
I’m truly sorry that this can’t be undone, but I’m glad you’ve found a blog where many people understand what you’re experiencing.
To anonymous,
I’m so sorry that the information about the surgery wasn’t made available to you before the surgery.
Have you obtained your complete medical records from the hospital? If not, I strongly suggest that you do so. If you don’t have the entire record, do you have the Surgical Report and the Pathology Report? If you fax your medical records to HERS at 610.667.8096, then call Irene at HERS at 610.667.7757 she will arrange a telephone appointment and we can review your records together.
To male in Michigan, and anyone considering taking hormones,
As you pointed out, the website for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , the manufacturers of Enjuvia, list the risks that they are compelled by FDA to provide warnings about to the public. These include:
Estrogens (alone or in combination with progestins) may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and dementia. Because of these risks, estrogens should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest period of time. You and your doctor should talk regularly to determine whether you still need treatment with ENJUVIA.
And headache, breast pain, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, stomach/abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and vomiting, or hair loss.
. . .
A word about “natural” products. Whether it is as natural as something that grows in your back yard, or whether It’s produced by a pharmaceutical, if a product has a hormonal effect you get the risks along with any alleged benefits. It’s not possible to extract only beneficial parts of a plant, herb, or other medicinal product while eliminating any adverse effects. A poison mushroom that grows in your yard is still poison.
These are difficult decisions. Most women are not informed by the prescribing doctor of the known risks of drugs, so they are not able to make an informed decision, they often assume that doctors would not prescribe harmful drugs. Some women who get relief from hormonal products but are well aware of the risks still may decide to take them because she feels the benefit is worth the risks. It’s a personal decision that each woman makes for herself. She is the one who lives with the risks, and although her family and others who care about her are affected by her decision, each woman has the right to be supported in choosing what she feels is best for her.
To male in mich,
This is my penny’s worth, regarding your query – ‘Enjuvia’
I have never heard of it, however, want to share some personal comments regarding Estrogen generally, from almost 40 years of personal experience of using the Premarin brand of ‘conjugated’ Estrogens.
Both my Ovaries, Uterus and Cervix were surgically removed when I was in my early twenties. I was told by my OB/GYN then, that I would need to be on Estrogen Therapy for the rest of my life, and that the ‘conjugated’ Estrogens would probably be the most helpful, and to be very cautious about changing from this particular type of ‘conjugated’ Estrogen. Premarin is the only brand name I know, which produces the ‘conjugated’ Estrogens.
I have found that no other type of Estrogen has been able to help me, and I am totally dependent upon it.
I believe this is because ‘conjugated’ means there are a wide variety of different types of estrogens contained in the Premarin pill, probably combined in a particular way, and made to function in a particular method within the body. This is my guess based on the literature I have read.
I am not recommending anything, or suggesting your wife try the Premarin. I want to share my own info and hope it will be helpful in some way.
I have not been able to wean myself off the Premarin (brand name) of Estrogen. So to date, I would have to agree with all my doctors who have warned me not to stop it. I have tried a few other types of Estrogen, for very brief periods and had almost traumatic, immediate, negative effects. I have tried them gradually, cold turkey, and the results are all the same. I need to return to the Premarin quickly.
Many people, like myself, are disgusted at the thought that this Premarin drug is made from the urine of pregnant mares. However, Premarin appears to be life saving, in my case. This is why women who do not need Premarin, and can function on a different type of more natural Estrogen, do not understand why it is that some women still take the Premarin. You will not meet anyone more ‘health conscious’ than me, or anyone more desirous of using all ‘natural’ food and supplements, than me. No amount of telling me how mistreated the mares are, or how disgusting using horse urine is, can deny the fact that it is life saving in my case.
The age at which we each have these female surgeries may also influence which types of Eestrogen replacements are helpful to us. I say this based on my conversations with others who have had this surgery and shared their info with me. Every female’s body is different and therefore there is no one type of Estrogen that will help everyone, in my opinion.
I know some female friends who function satisfactorily using the more ‘natural’ brands of Estrogen which are not ‘conjugated’ Those ladies I have spoken with, had their hyst surgeries done later in life, around their natural menopausal years, or afterward. I have tried very gradual reductions of the Premarin, even shaving tiny pieces off each daily pill, over 6 month- periods of time, and longer. I have always found that I needed to return to the minimum dose of Premarin my body would tolerate, and as quickly as possible. I also have an adverse reaction when taking a higher dose than my body can tolerate. This means I am in a constant state of making absolutely sure I am always taking the exact dosage my body needs at any particular point in time. Few doctors can know this as well as we can, if we are well acquainted with and knowledgeable about our own bodies.
Stress can cause the need for a change in the daily Premarin dosage, depending on how our individual body’s handle stress. This includes physical-health stress, not just external stress factors.
One IMPORTANT, critical factor overlooked by many who take Estrogen Replacement is that these meds need to be taken at the SAME TIME OF THE DAY, on the days they are taken. In other words, taking the pills at a different hour of the day, each day, can actually create major problems. I know this from personal experience, and also from all the doctors consulted about this topic, who warn about this danger.
It was also confirmed by my MD that too high or too low a Premarin dose (not sure if this applies to any other brand of Estrogen supplementation) also affects the viscosity of my blood. In other words, when I am on too HIGH a Premarin dose, my blood THICKENS and when I nick my finger accidentally and squeeze the cut site, no blood will flow! Conversely, if I am on too LOW a Premarin dose, my blood THINS, and when I nick my finger accidentally, it will bleed profusely and I have to make great effort to stop the profuse bleeding and the cut site takes forever to heal. When on the accurate dosage of Premarin, the clotting time and healing reactions appear more normal, though not as normal as before my surgery.
Anyone who says, ‘This is the best decision I every made’ after having these female sex-organ surgeries, is obviously speaking from a position of ignorance and I make no apologies for this statement.
This blood clotting issue I experienced, ties in with – and helps to explain partially why – women are more prone to heart conditions, stroke etc. after female sex-organ removal.
Bottom line, my opinion is, that whatever your wife finds is helpful to her, whether or not she can explain to you or her doctor why or how it is helping her, I suggest is worth the try. Hopefully, this will be done under careful supervision and observation so that an early intervention may save her from a traumatic outcome, if necessary. She may only need to adjust the dosage, or the time of day each dose is taken, and not actually stop the medication, in some cases.
More often than not, medicines and nutritional supplements tend to help only temporarily anyway, after we have had these surgeries. Our bodies can not perform normal body functions normally, and therefore do not handle nutritional supplements or meds in the same way that an intact body would.
Please let us know how your wife does on the Enjuvia.
Thank you for your continued comments to this blog. They are a great encouragement to me.
To male in michigan. It looks like the drug your wife is taking is a synthetic form of estrogen. Notice the risks and side effects. It’s obviously poison and very bad, like most poison drugs. If she is having menopausal symptoms, it’s much safer to take natural supplements that can be found at Costco or health food stores. I have found that menopause supplements that contain black cohosh help, and they don’t do any harm.
I posted here shortly ago, but read some further posts. I went over again some posts made; as I had not been to the blog site for a time. One person posted; which was sad; in that, she said she “found it interesting that no one should have a hysterectomy ever”. I guess this is what she gathered from reading the posts. It sounded as if she was going to go ahead with her Hyst., but I wonder how she is doing now… (This post was back in April.) I so wish I could have gotten on the phone with her to share and stop her!
I also wanted to say to “Male in Michigan” – I thank you, thank you, thank you – I mean it – for your posts!!! You are on the same “page” with my husband.
Oh, then… let’s get to the post by “Anonymous on 9/11 @ 5:12 p.m. –
You state “Do your research before agreeing to surgery, but stop making it sound like someone attacked you, and ripped out your uterus!” “All this whiney – I’m a victim crap is making me ill.” “Castration, amputation…being used…”
Anonymous, you are so much the whiner. Have you even read the posts?
With this many people posting, and sharing so many different personal experiences, facts, etc. on what they have gone through (including myself), I feel so strongly about this; in that, it is dramatic, it is a matter of castration to a female, and you have no clue because you have not listened, for one, and until you go through this, yourself; you will never understand or grasp what is happening to so many women and men with these barbaric operations! “Whiney”? Thank goodness we have this site to be able to save women to not experience what so many of us, who have posted here, have been subjected to.
You need to turn this around with your attitude, and be grateful there is the Hers Foundation to support this and, again help people. The word “Whiney” makes me so angry, I’m sorry, but it does; for you to even use this in your vocabulary regarding this topic with us.
We, who have had faith in our doctors, and then been put through this insanity, are the ones who are not “Whiners”, but advocates to help to stop this. You make me “ill” to have read this; what you posted. You have no idea of the extreme situation surrounding this subject, and by goodness, everyone wants to trust in their doctor, and believe. If this is not the case, then why is there even a medical profession out there to say one is to have a Primary Care Physician, and stay with one? Otherwise, it should be mandated that (with what you are saying), a person needs to go to several physicians to get an answer to a question/options with doctors; i.e., everyone should have two, three, or more doctors to go to? Tell me how we establish this with our insurance perimeters, and then we will talk… Get it? People get wary and concerned with whatever type of insurance they have with seeing another doctor even. Will insurance cover this? Again, get it? We are in a system which forces us to stay within a realm of these ‘perimeters’, and leads us to stay with one doctor. Let us not forget…we want to have trust and faith in the PCP we have chosen; including our Primary Care OB/GYN – inclusive. Get it? No whining here – just you – whining about what you want to justify as a reason to “attack” – we who have gone through “Hell”.
By the way, you state, “…but stop making it sound like someone ripped out your uterus!” This is an understatement. The doctors who have done this to us have done far more than this. They have “ripped” our lives apart. You are an uneducated person to think anything otherwise.
Oh, you make me upset! Your comments are so unfounded…
Well, I have not been at the Blog site for awhile. I had to stop around reading posts as of 9/15, but I surely have some comments. So here goes…
First of all, bless you, the man who posted regarding your wife. Your wrote some amazing words. I am sure so many thank you.
Secondly, the person who said the people posting here are “whiners”, should be ashamed. Your post made it seem as if these were just opinions. These are real women who have gone through real experiences. These are facts posted. Shame on you, again, for thinking we are “whiners”. I have been through a Hyst., and know first hand that it was unnecessary, but only found out in the aftermath, what I would realize as the horrific consequences. My life has changed so dramatically to the negative. The doctor pushed me to get a Hyst., and right away. As one person posted in September; as soon as the doctor found out the insurance was good…the surgery was scheduled right away. This same thing happened in my case. My insurance was due to lapse February 1st, of 2004. He pushed me to have the surgery right before this. (I figured this out later, the method to his madness with this.)
People have blogged about the options of getting other opinions. I had been with the OB/GYN for twenty years. I had FAITH in him. He got angry with me when I said I had done one thing with going online, and since the Hyst. he was pushing me to have was due to two fibroids, I checked and said to him that I had found that a Myomectomy was an option. He got upset; in that, he said, the people who recommended this on a website, did not know me, and it was not an option. Little did I know… it was. I understand it is a type of surgery a doctor needs to be accomplished at; but, also it does not pay as well.
My sad and personal story is, again, I had known this doctor for many years. I put my trust in him to tell me the truth of what I needed. He did not tell me of what the complications would be that could follow. He pushed for me to have the surgery right away. (Again, in the retrospect, he wanted me to have this surgery while my insurance was still intact.)
He kept saying, “You will feel so much better after this, and you won’t have to worry about anymore periods. Won’t that be nice?” He knew I wasn’t going to have anymore children. I will never forget with having my husband in there for this office visit before the surgery. This doctor seemed to play upon my husband with this factor. It was as if it was a “Man to Man” thing; with the “No more bloody periods”. He basically, used my husband in promoting this surgery. How sick!
One post read here – “Actual validated information, and less hysterical conspiracy theory hype.” How could you state this?
Are you out of YOUR mind? The people who have posted here are real women (and men) who have gone through something so horrific. They are posting with facts of how their lives have been devastated. Are you in need of help for not getting the understanding of the real and true harm being done to so many women. We are not hysterical; if you mean hysterical as a term as being not in the right frame of mind. We are angry, upset, and horrified for what doctors have done to our bodies. Wake up, and you again, should be ashamed at your posting. The women posting here are intelligent, and honest people. We were deceived; however, and that would be our only claim to ‘fame’; in that, we were trusting our personal doctors, and had faith. There is nothing wrong with believing in one’s physician. Gosh, how could we even go and see a doctor, period, if this was not the case?
The only reason a person would be hysterical, would be because of posts as yours. I invite you to personally blog me, and I will give you a fight and stand behind all women who have posted here, and you won’t stand a chance with whatever you say; because, right is right, and wrong is wrong…
I am sure you have hurt women who have posted here. Shame on you, again. Why do you even post here? Are you a vengeful person? I will forgive you for your posts, but stupid is as stupid does… Wake up, Anonymous. You are a wicked person to not realize what has happened to so many women and men involved with this. People don’t post here because of being hysterical; except, being hysterical with people as you…
femica
The big importance of ovaries are well documented in medical litterature.
It is unbelievable and shocking that despite of this knowledge so many women are castrated only for “prophylactic”! This is pure cynisme for every castrated woman when she is reading articles like the following one AFTER her surgery!
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine/Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Available online 17 January 2006.
The ovary is a complex metabolic organ.
The follicles produce both androgens and estrogens, whereas the stromal tissue synthesizes androgens only.
When menopause occurs, both androgen and estrogen levels decrease.
The postmenopausal ovary remains a source of endogenous androgens that are converted to estrogen.
The consequences of premature removal of the ovaries are not well known.
The risks and benefits of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) in women with premature menopause have not been studied.
Women who have had surgical menopause experience more severe symptoms and will need to stop estrogen therapy at some point in their lives.
Intense symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia will redevelop, so women should be given informed consent about the need for long-term use of HT and the greater difficulty in discontinuing therapy.
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0002934305009150
male in mich.
I have posted a number of times from the male perspective side. And responding to the poster indicating “it was the best thing I ever did”. Living with a woman who has this procedure done to her is difficult in most cases. While I can recognize the need to have a organ removed for life saving reasons it must be recognized as well that major disruptions to the endocrine system can only cause future problems. Maybe these problems don’t manifest for some time maybe a few years. However, unnecessary surgery to help pay for the golf membership of the OB/GYN is another matter. Problems will develop as has happened to my wife. She refuses to acknowledge her problems are the result of her hysterectomy. After my wifes surgery everything seemed normal for about 1 year…then things went to hell quickly. Maybe the real terminology needs to be changed from “hysterectomy” to “castration”. If more men realized what was about to happen to their wives or girlfriends the trend would change. I know I was fooled and research after things started sliding downhill in our relationship lead me to understand what happened to my once loving and wonderful wife. I know that if a man has his testicles removed his health will begin a downward spiral. I once had a family friend who suffered from prostate cancer. He was elderly and the urologist (quack or butcher)urged him to be castrated to alleviate hormonal influence on his cancer growth. He died about 1 year later from heart failure. His health never recovered from his castration surgery and his last year of life was agonizing. Likewise castrating a women can’t help but have negative impacts on her health. My wife has mood swings that go from left to right. One day she hates me the next she acts like things are OK…our relationship has suffered as a result.
Anonymous:
These are a few citations for medical journal articles that you might want to read about the effects of hysterectomy and female castration on the cardiovascular system:
Early menopause and the risk of myocardial infarctionRosenberg, Lynn et al
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Among women who became menopausal because of bilateral oophorectomy, the estimated relative risk of MI increased with decreasing age at menopause, and women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy before age 35 were estimated to have a risk of hospitalization for MI approximately 7.2 times that of premenopausal women.”
Time interval from castration in premenopausal women to development of excessive coronary atherosclerosis
Parrish, Henry M. et al
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“Those castrated 10 or more years before age 50 did have significantly more severe coronary artery disease. It took an average of about 14.4⨥2.57 years after castration before excessive coronary heart disease.”
Premenopausal hysterectomy and cardiovascular disease
Cetnerwall, Brandon S.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
“A premenopausal simple hysterectomy is associated with a threefold increase in the subsequent incidence and prevalence of coronary heart disease during the remaining premenopausal years.”
I understand your frustration at having “good news” about hysterectomy countered by women talking about the adverse effects of the surgery that they have experienced, as well as the documentation in medical journal articles. But some things in life don’t have a good side, some things are just damaging, like hysterectomy and castration. Can you imagine a man reporting that amputation of his penis and testicles was the best thing he ever did, and that he feels great, so other men should ignore anyone who says amputation of the penis and testicles is damaging because he’s doing just fine. Women are not superhuman. Removal of the female organs is a mutilating, damaging surgery with serious, permanent adverse effects. I’m sorry that these are all things that you are learning in this very public way. They are the facts that every woman has a right to know before she is told to sign a hysterectomy consent form.
serves to receive the sperm in mares
transports sperm from site of deposition to uterine tubes for fertilization
provides suitable environment for
a. implantation of the embryo
b. nourishment of the embryo & fetus during pregnancy
provides mechanical protection of the fetus
expels the mature fetus at the end of pregnancy 3 main functions no where did i read that it produces whatever you are saying..
This is in regards to the last comment. You honeslty beleive what you just said get your facts straight about all those heart problems you mentioned.
Why is it that anytime someone tries to post something postive on this site she is bashed for it.You honeslty beleive that everyone that has had hysterctomy has problems. Please if that was the case I would have come across many many miserbile women in my lifetime.
Lot of women have had very great outcomes after this surgery. Stop all the crap on this site. YOU ARE NOT HELPING WOMEN THAT REALLY NEED TO HAVE THIS PROCEDURE DONE.
By the way my doc did tell me about all the effects and I did have many opions before I did it.
Also she did mention this site before I had surgey FYI.
Stop discourging women because a friend of mine really needs this surgery right now to save her life an you are scaring the shit out of her. She fiends it really hard to believe that I am doing great and so are other people she knows because of this site.
Thats why I am on here.
This is in regards to the last comment. You honeslty beleive what you just said get your facts straight about all those heart problems you mentioned.
Why is it that anytime someone tries to post something postive on this site she is bashed for it.You honeslty beleive that everyone that has had hysterctomy has problems. Please if that was the case I would have come across many many miserbile women in my lifetime.
Lot of women have had very great outcomes after this surgery. Stop all the crap on this site. YOU ARE NOT HELPING WOMEN THAT REALLY NEED TO HAVE THIS PROCEDURE DONE.
By the way my doc did tell me about all the effects and I did have many opions before I did it.
Also she did mention this site before I had surgey FYI.
Stop discourging women because a friend of mine really needs this surgery right now to save her life an you are scaring the shit out of her. She fiends it really hard to believe that I am doing great and so are other people she knows because of this site.
Thats why I am on here.
Anonymous,
If you sincerely mean it when you say that having one of your hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ removed was the best thing you have ever done one can only conclude that you never experienced uterine orgasm. It’s also not an improvement in natural female anatomy for the vagina to be shortened and made into a closed pocket.
It’s interesting that your doctor didn’t show you HERS website prior to obtaining your consent to remove your uterus. Nor did he/she inform you of the structural support to the bladder and bowel that would be comprised by the surgery, and the many other important functions of the uterus. Why do you suppose the doctor waited until a year after your surgery to tell you where you can find factual information about the adverse effects of the surgery when it clearly would have been helpful to you in making an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with hysterectomy.
The uterus produces prostacyclin, which gives women cardiovascular protection. If only the uterus is removed a woman has a three times greater risk of a heart attack. If her ovaries are removed she has a 7 times greater risk of a heart attack.
The loss of the functions of the uterus will not be avoided or improved by positive thinking. They are anatomical fact. A heart attack will not be avoided by positive thinking. Uterine orgasm will not occur without a uterus because one wishes it with positive thoughts.
It is quite sad and shocking that you encourage other women to avoid becoming fully, accurately informed so that they will be subjected to the same losses that you have since your surgery.
You can stop being part of the problem, you can become part of the solution by telling women the truth. Tell women to watch the video “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs” at http://www.hersfoundation.org/anatomy so that they can be fully informed. Informed consent can only occur when you have full, accurate information. No information? No Consent!
Listening to this board and all you women..I feel really bad for you. I had hysterctomy just to remove the uteris 2 years ago. It was the best thing I have done. I have never felt better in all honesty. I have also lost wieght by going to the gym and being very careful with what I eat so it is possible to lose.
I am not telling you it was an easy recovery.It was really tough the first year but I have managed to get through it and feel really good. The 2nd year which i just passed was really good.
I have a real good mind frame for everything and I think that helps alot. To all you women on her dont think this is the end you can live very healthy and happy lives. Seek help if needed however not by this website. I went to a natural pathic the virst year I really think that made a difference.
On another note get real statistcs, not the ones on year. Go to the hospitals and do reasearch you will be surpirsed. Another note. I have pleanty of family and freinds that have had hysterctomys only 1 out of about 23 has had issues which is fixed now, I am not saying your isssues are not real however there are so many sucsseful hysterctomys.
Food fof thougth,eveyone on here knows how many hysterctomys are done yearly millions. Would you not think that this blog would have millions of entries of women complaing and not just 400.
If every hysterctomy goes bad. Just food for thought,
Takew care of yourselfs and kepp a very postive mind things will get better,and stay off this website.
If you are wondering why i am on here my doc actually showed me this webiste last year. Answered all my questions. Take care and think positive.
femica
As Leader of the Austrian support group for hysterectomized and castrated women (the first support group for this topic in the german spoken world) I have to mention that so many doctors here in our countries still ignore the strong impact of surgical castration and the short term and long term effects of hysterectomy and castration.
Concerned women in our countries very often are let completely alone in her harm. They are not supported as well as there families do not get any help.
The most surprising fact is, that so many doctors in our century and modern world don’t know the difference between natural menopause and the consequences of castration. Women with their sexual organs and women without their sexual organs are the same for them. They call all this “Wechseljahre” the german term for menopause! It is exhausting and strongly traumatizing for concerned women to stand all this brutal ignorance.
All the medical facts in medical litterature about the obvious consequences for physical, mental and sexual health on women’s bodies are ignored! Every woman can read all this via internet in “lancet”, “BMJ” , “Pubmed” and so on…. When women confrontate her gynecologists about these facts they have to recognize that their gynecologists often don’t know the enodcrinological facts after hysterectomy and castration. Why is all this possible?
Why don’t any organizations help the concerned women?
In Europe we are pleased about the existence of HERS- so we know that we are not alone and HES gives us a voice!
And we hope strongly that politicians all over the western world will soon make an end to the surgical abuse and non information of concerned women – PRIOR to surgery! Also help after surgeries must be guaranted- this is not the case at all now!
It is hardly believable that such things done to women are possible in the 21th century and that nobody semms to be really interested in this topic!
Alcoholics and criminals get help and support but the harm of castrated and hysterectomized women is still ignored by medical communities and by women organizations
Women are first castrated surgically and then they are “castrated” by the ignorance of society. It is a SHAME!
femica
It seems animals have more rights than human females. Recently I heard a talk show with a group that is advocating to cease castration of pets especially dogs and cats. Why don’t I hear about human females sexual rights? It should be blasted from every rooftop, radio station, tv station, newspaper, pickets etc.
Furthurmore, I do not understand why the Catholic church and the right to lifers have not denounced hysterectomy/castration of human females which takes away the very means of creating the precious lives that they want to preserve from conception.
Wouldn’t it be great to start a fund to post adds on television warning the public about the adverse affects, problems etc. arising from hysterectomy/castration/neutering? It would not be that expensive to do a 60 second add. Also, a large one page add in the New York Times might prove affective.
To CT, who says hysterectomy turns a woman into a man, I think it is more like being a neuter. We are asexual, desexed eunochs.
I am glad to see so many boycotting the gynes!
It had been over 17 years since I was desexed/neutered/castrated,hysterectomized. It has been torture, but I keep pushing myself to exist and go through the motions of a life that was pretty darn good up until this disasterous surgery that was performed on me at the age of 51.3, the average age of menopause. I was still having normal regular periods at that point in time. How disillusioning it is to have to live out the so called golden years in this pathetic manner. I guess it beats the alternative of not being alive, but sometimes I don’t think it would make that much difference.
To Gracie,
Without the Hers foundation and the knowledge, support, coping strategies I don’t think I would be here today. You can’t put a price tag on knowledge. Knowledge is power. Hers foundation has opened my eyes to the lies, and deceit that the American Medical Ass! ociation, doctors and the medical establishment are all about. I can’t thank Hers enough for all the help I have received.
Valerie
Gracie,
Thank you for your contribution and your support of HERS work. As you know, Tiger, Irene, Rick and I work very long hours and push ourselves to the maximum every day. I work almost every night, too, and feel at the end of every day I’ve used all of my personal and professional resources to bring us closer to the goal of stopping this tragedy from being done to the next generation of women and girls.
You make a real difference, Tiger. I appreciate all you do to encourage others to do what they can, too.
There is no contribution that is too large or too small. For several years HERS received a contribution of $1 a month from a woman who milks cows on a farm in Wisconsin. We receive regular contributions from a man who lives in public housing in a senior citizens building in Philadelphia. His contributions of several pennies are taped to a letter of gratitude for what HERS does.
And others contribute more, because they can.
Every penny counts at HERS. We are thrifty and stretch every dollar as far as it can possibly go. We’re very proud of HERS accomplishments, none of which could happen without the help of everyone who cares, everyone who is part of the solution that will end this terrible, tragic abuse of women.
This goes to all the women that have written on the HERS Blog. I again challenge you to send in a donation today. Without your help, the HERS Foundation would not be able to provide more than 8,000+ women each year the information they require to make an informed decision about hysterectomy and alternative treatment options.
There wouldn’t be nowhere for women who have undergone the surgery to turn to for coping strategies and validation of what they are experiencing and there wouldn’t be a HERS Foundation to stop this from becoming the legacy of future generations of women.
Where would we go for help before or after our surgeries? I know the HERS Foundation and Nora has helped me alot with myself and with family members. I know she has helped alot of women that have written on this blog.
We need the HERS Foundation and we need you to send in any amount of donation today. PLEASE HELP OUT! We need to all care like HERS does. You can go online like I did or you can send in your donation. DO IT NOW!
Regarding rating your castrator on http://www.ratemd.com, be sure to list the HERS Foundation’s website http://www.hersfoundation.org. This will provide women with the resources they need plus further discredit these mutilators and give more visibility to our cause.
To December suicide: I could relate to everything you said. This is such a sickening way to live that it’s hard to get through another day. The only thing that keeps me going now is to want to see justice for all women. If I kill myself, it will be one less voice to speak out (which is just what these criminals want). I’ve thought many times of going to the hospital and sitting out on their hospital sign and blowing my brains out, but then I figured I wouldn’t be seen as a martyr, but they’d just write me off as a nutcase because that’s what they want to do anyway after they butcher and mutilate women. They like to hack us up and then basically laugh at all the health problems we have. ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) is dedicated to mutilating women for profit. They are the most cruel organization on the face of this earth, and to make it worse, their “cover” is “healthcare.” At least we knew Hitler was a sick man, but these sick ACOG members put themselves out to be healthcare providers, when they are nothing but skilled serial mutilators. What a sick scam! What a perfect crime! So December, please stay here with us and speak out to stop this heinous act of cruelty from happening to another generation of women.
In response to Mattie’s most recent post – yes, I too now realize that the woman (co-worker) I thought had a personality disorder has “post-hyst / castration syndrome” like all other castrated women. And she also lives by the motto “misery loves company.” She actually hugged me before my surgery and told me not to worry but just work half days the first week back because I would be tired.” Ironically, the 6 to 8 week “recovery” was no big deal. It’s life in general post-hyst that is a BIG DEAL and sucks big-time. I only wish I could mail her the HERS Newsletter that has the article “What Women don’t Tell Other Women about Hysterectomy and Castration.” But I still have to work with her which is very difficult. I did have the nerve to send this newsletter to another woman who also acted like castration is no big deal.
Please rate your criminal surgeon on http://www.ratemd.com. Tell how you were lied to and state the documented aftereffects of this surgery. Also, rate any other doctors you saw or have since seen that are enablers. You do NOT need to register to rate doctors on this site so you can remain anonymous.
Personality Disorder? No-Hysterectomy/Castration!
I thought the woman who lied to me before I was hysterectomized, and told me the truth after, had a “Personality Disorder”. I always attributed her lack of enthusiasm and lack of passion to a “Personality Disorder” and was naive enough to think some women were just not a passionate as others. Now I know what is wrong with her, she was hysterectomized and copes by lying about it and harming women the same way she was harmed. Now I don’t know how to “cope” with the fact that any woman would lie to another woman about sex organ amputation and what that means medically. No, don’t trust a woman who say’s sex organ amputation is “the best thing that ever happened to me”. Just think how sick it would be if a man would say that having his penis cut off by deceit was the best thing that ever happened to him, how sick.
Anonymous…Try to stay alive to help us end Hysterectomy/Castration by deceit for profit. Try with all of us, we need every Honest Woman Alive who has suffered this assault on the female anatomy to end this legal torture.
i had this horrible surgery last dec. i regretted it as soon as i woke up in my hospital room. i had initially gone to the dr for a consult on endometrial ablation, but was talked into the surgery because the ablation might not work.
i have been in therapy ever since. it doesn’t help because the therapist had the same operation and concurs that sex drive is diminished, weight gain happens, depression is normal, etc.
i went to see the dr again one month ago because i was afraid my ovaries were shutting down and i was going thru menopause (blood tests revealed that is not the case). the dr’s exact words to me when i told her my problems were “you just need to move on and get over it”. she offered something called “scream cream” to help with orgasm loss. i wanted to punch her and showed a tremendous amount of self restraint by not doing so.
my sex life is kaput. i can’t bring myself to see the neurologist about my migraines because i didn’t want to fill out the questionnaire and answer questions regarding female health. when i had a ct scan and it asked me the date of my last period, i lied and put a date 3 weeks prior. in fact, i absolutely refuse to go see another doctor EVER. i learned the very hard way that doctors are not to be trusted. my once perfectly flat stomach has an ugly red scar and a pooch (that i refer to as my gut). i have migraines, mood swings, and zero sex drive. not that i can have an orgasm if i had sex anyway. i am in no way the person i was before surgery. she was a good person, one who was worthy of love and life. now……i don’t know who i am.
my husband thinks i am crazy and he is unsympathetic. i am seriously considering just becoming a martyr for the cause and taking my own life because i will never recover from this because i can never go back to being the same as i was before surgery.(i was thinking that the one year anniversary of my surgery would be a good day). for those of you thinking of doing it for heavy menstrual bleeding, i will just say that i would rather be housebound for 5 days bleeding than feel like this. this is absolutely no way to live.
i won’t mention the specific drs name, but i will say that if you live in the jackson, ms area, do NOT go to any practice near River Oaks Hospital. See…I won’t even name the practice, but I suspect they are all the same.
i will also say, EVEN if you have “friends” that have had the surgery and say it is the best thing that ever happened to them, don’t base your decisions, even in part, on them. i took my friends word, and it ruined my life. to develop coping strategies seems pointless. i don’t want to COPE. i want to be better than ever. and nobody cares if i am or not.
This was posted on the Bioethics Blog by Kate. I felt that it is important to copy this horrific story here:
I was the patient of a N.Y.C. gynecologist. He was recommended to me by a neighbor whose husband was the president of the hospital. I thought I was going to a top doctor. I was in excellent health and ran 4 miles every morning. I had a pedunculated fibroid with no symptoms. The doctor recommended a hysterectomy. I refused telling him I felt perfectly well. On a routine visit about 2 years later, he announced that the fibroid had grown and needed to come out for “analysis”. I asked him to remove only the fibroid for analysis. He became angry and agitated, saying,”there’s no choice, no option and no alternative. If you do not listen to me, you’ll be in serious trouble. I’ll do a meticulous operation and be assisted by my partner, also an expert. There will be absolutely no complications and you’ll completely recover. Tell your husband that you must have this operation now. I asked to see the consent form. He replied that – that’s done only at the hospital. I’ll go over everything with you and your husband there. A few days before the operation, his financial office called to explain that because I was having this world expert, he would require several thousand dollars over what BC/BS would pay – and they put this fee on my master card. I again asked if I could see the consent form. “No, the doctor will go over everything with you at the hospital” .
At the hospital, the intake nurse handed me a consent form. I told her the doctor would be coming to go over evrything with me and my husband and I refused it. She told me to undress and sit on a folding metal chair. After 7 hours, they called for me. They brought me through the labyrinth corridors and onto a public elevator. I felt embarrassed to be walking through the halls undressed. My husband was brought somewhere else. I was taken to the basement where the operating rooms are. Fist-pumping rock and roll music came blasting from the operating room. I was stunned and felt fear and confusion. After sitting there for one more hour, the anesthesiologist brought me into the operating room. He started an iv- I thought the doctor and his partner would be coming any moment. Instead, the anesthesiologist motioned to the door and a team came to the table- a fellow and two residents and started to operate on me. I tried to scream but it was too late. In recovery, the nurse said I could not have any pain medication as I had already stopped breathing once.The next day, I awoke to something wrong with my legs, my feet, my vagina and bladder. I was overwhelmed by what had happened. At home, I had vertigo for one week. The doctor would not return my calls. I consulted with nuerologists about a constellation of nuerological problems. I was diagnosed with acute onset of MS from the trauma of the hysterectomy. Stunned and devastated I traveled to another major medical center in another state. They concurred with the diagnosis. I brought a case against this well connected doctor but a friendly court dismissed my case and also another woman’s. I appealled. My appeal was denied. I believe this happened for three reasons-1) money- this is quick easy and lucrative opertion 2) unknown to me this doctor was a director of resident training- I was a body for them to practice on 3) misogony- you really need to hate women to inflict the suffering the removal of their sexual organs causes. Imagine th outrage if a doctor removed recklessly the sexual parts of a man.
Kate
Below is an excerpt from an article about how human tissue is acquired for profit. The article is located at:
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-6017085_ITM
Some doctors view their patients as treasure troves, taking tissue from them without their consent. When physicians who were also researchers were developing contraceptives from fertilized eggs, their employees would encourage women to have unprotected sex in their fertile periods before getting pelvic surgery. In one study, these doctors recovered 34 fertilized eggs from women undergoing hysterectomies, tubal ligations, and other pelvic surgeries who apparently did not realize they were pregnant. One of the doctors joked about how he “poached” eggs–piercing patients’ ovaries and aspirating their eggs while they were having pelvic surgery for other reasons. (4)
TQ says:
To Starving – I think what you really meant to say is “I don’t want to live like this but I don’t want to die.”
That’s a sentiment many women who have posted completely understand post surgery. This one phase attempts to sum up the futility of treatments and the terrific after effects (not complications) of surgery.
To the newly disagnosed (cancer, fibroids, endo, etc.), it would be a shame if any woman does not heed the information found on the HERS site or from the posters. There are a few things that I believe:
1) panic can result after diagnosis, and prevent the time and study for complete understanding of circumstance and next steps
2) a diagnosis or unconfirmed suspicion of cancer, should never mean hysterectomy as a foregone conclusion
3) There are numerous questions that are never addressed by the medical community and may not come to mind by the patient concerning the function and service of the uterus singularly and in conjuction with the ovaries in female health
Without the answers that HERS has demanded women will continue to have no basis to determine consent when confronted with a recommendation of hysterectomy.
Hi I’m 29 years old. I was told by my doctor that I have a fibroid with a size of an orange. I went to sonogram and I’m waiting results. Should I be worried since the fibroid is big? what should I expect? There is history in my family of both ovarian and breast cancer. Any feedback is good
At the CBSnews.com website below
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/earlyshow/main500202.shtm
You can click on the topic,
‘More Women Selling their Eggs’
and also click on the
‘Eggs For Sale’ Video at the same website to view the short clip aired on their show this morning.
What happens to all those eggs removed along with the Ovaries during castration and ‘total hysterectomy’ surgeries?
That’s what I want to know!
The Center for Egg Options website mentioned donors had to be between ages 18 to 30 for the best fertile, healthy eggs.
Still wondering why OB/GYNS are targeting younger and younger women, and are focused on the teenagers now for Ovary removal???
The more the merrier, would seem to be their motto!
Ladies, HOLD ON TO YOUR EGGS!!!
There’s BIG BUCKS in selling them thar EGGS!!!
If you don’t believe there is BIG money to be made selling eggs from the female Ovaries, think again.
TV Channel 4 (WFOR) ‘The Early Show’ between 8am and 9am this morning 10-13-08, mentioned these options for women. I went to the website for one of the Centers mentioned on that TV program. Below are some extracts from that website:
BEGIN QUOTES:
… THE CENTER FOR EGG OPTIONS is happy to assist perspective donors or recipients in any way possible ….
Address:
840 Apollo Street, Suite 310
El Segundo, CA 90245
Prospective donors and recipients are seen by appointment only. Please call ahead to schedule:
Tel: (310) 726-9600
Fax: (310) 726-9603
Pager: (310) 613-0088
Compensation
… The recipient is responsible for all medical and legal expenses. Compensation is $5,000 – $10,000 to all donors who complete an egg donation cycle.
Facts About Egg Donation
… Egg donation is the process of taking healthy eggs from a fertile woman and using them to help another woman conceive who is infertile. Taking eggs from a donor is possible because young, fertile women produce dozens of eggs every month that are never used. To the best of medical knowledge, these extra eggs can be safely donated without affecting the woman’s ability to conceive in the future.
Each doctor has his/her own protocol, but to produce 15-20 eggs at a retrieval, the donor is put on medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce many eggs. These medications need to be taken as instructed and donors must attend every scheduled medical appointment. The success of the cycle depends on this. The egg retrieval is an out-patient procedure. You will be put to sleep by general anesthesia (to avoid any discomfort), so you must arrange for a support person to drive you home, as you cannot drive yourself…
END QUOTES
If I was told I had cancer and needed to remove my Ovaries, I sure would investigate the option of selling my own eggs during the surgery, rather than allowing someone else to be given the BIG BUCKS for selling MY OWN EGGS to the biggest bidder!!!!!
Still trust those lying OB/GYNS?????
I had a strange looking “cyst” that didn’t go away for 3 months, so the doctor told me that instead of removing the cyst she would do a total hysterectomy since I was so close to menopause. BIG MISTAKE!!! I went home from the surgery with a fever and rectal pain that progressed over the next 7 days. I was miserable with pain, nausea, vomiting, hot/cold and clammy. Went to her office and she told me to take Milk of Magnesia and an enema. I vomited all night long. She called me in the a.m. to tell me to go to the Emergency Room because the blood tests she took the day before showed that I had a raging infection somewhere. A CT scan was done; During the procedure she burned a hole in my colon. I had to have an emergency colostomy! I had this for 7 months; During take-down I got MRSI staph infection. Went home 7 days later and returned the following day with a bowel obstruction. I was never told about all of the information available on the HERS website. Had I known, I would have at least gotten a second opinion and then demaanded that they only do a biopsy instead of a total hysterectomy. Since my hysterectomy I have had debilitating fatigue, pain in my left back/buttock, severe sweating and hot flashes that are not being well controlled by Estrogen patches. I have a strong family history of breast cancer and shouldn’t even be on Estrogen. I don’t know what to do next. I’ve tried natural therapies and accupuncture but no help. I would strongly advise against a hysterectomy unless it is necessary to save your life. My quality of life SUCKS right now. I’ve gained 35 lbs since my hysterectomy almost 4 yrs ago and have had 4 glaucoma surgeries. It has ruined my life.
Dissecting the heinous trickery of legal hysterectomy/castration by deceit;
Maybe I should ask my family doctor to prescribe the Hers Foundation conference for me, there is a doctor present at the conference. Perhaps the doctor at the Hers Conference could charge me for his time explaining what was done to my body and I could send it in to my medical insurance company. My medical insurance company should pay for me to go to the Hers conference to learn what was done to my body from an anatomy expert and legal expert. I am suffering from sex organ amputation and the explanation by the anatomy expert would further explain the physical, endocrine and psychological damage I am suffering to make sense of the chaos my physical and emotional health are in since the unnecessary amputation.
I do miss my body, mind and passion that is the horror of this hysterectomization. I didn’t sit around in severe pain, sexless and pity myself before, I was happy and had passion before I was hysterectomized. I don’t enjoy my life now or stating these facts or trying to dissect all of the heinous trickery that is involved in this inhuman attack on a human being. I can’t believe I ever consented to have this done to me, I didn’t. This is the confusing part of all of this and why I keep trying to figure out what happened to my body and why it was legal for the doctors to do this to me.
I shouldn’t be spending my time dissecting this medical horror. This heinous attack on the female anatomy is the medical doctors of this country’s responsibility. I am physically and emotionally so harmed and sick from this sex organ amputation and I am desperate to find out why? I have become very suicidal as well. Why are the doctors of this country keeping this trickery and medically heinous physical attack hushed? There are medical facts to back up the chaos my body is in now. So why all the secrecy, why am I spending my time coming to the same conclusion every time I learn another medical fact confirming my physical disability now. One of the doctors who talked with me after the hysterectomization did say to me, “you are disabled now and will need to learn what your limitation are”. The doctors and nurses can attack me for profit by deceit legally and amputate my sex organs, I am disabled, and I need to learn what my limitations are. This is the reality of what was done to me by a greedy, sick ob/gyn practice. This is what I experience on a daily basis now, and there is no doubt I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by such a severe medical assault by deceit for profit.
I am sure if doctors were removing people’s kidneys without any medical basis, no one would be arguing about cancer, or saying it’s okay because 10% might have cancer.
This is hard for me to do, but I am desperately trying to find someone, anyone, that may be going through something similar to me. My situation is a bit unusual.
I had a total hysterectomy and removal of both ovaries just over 3years ago. I was only 33. I went through (and still go through) living hell with surgical menopause and continued pelvic pain from endometriosis/scar tissue. I went through some counseling and to various doctors and specialities and am on various bioidentical hormones and it seemed like I was finally getting to a place in life where I could function halfway normally and “accept” what happened to me and all the changes going on with my body. Then…
I developed an eating disorder, namely anorexia nervosa with bulimic tendencies. I dont directly “blame” my hysterectomy for this. I went through this when I was a teenager. I “recovered” after hospitalization and kept my weight to a minimally healthy range/slightly underweight for many years. After my hysterectomy my body went haywire and suddenly and terrifyingly I felt I had no control over things that were happening to my body and emotions. As my hormone issues were being worked out, I watched my weight first plummet (after being put on a strict yeast free diet for six months to control the raging yeast infections caused by hormonal imbalances due to severe hormone deficiencies and imbalances) then slowly increase until I was at the highest weight I have ever been at in my life. One day I looked in the mirror in disgust when I couldnt fit into my size 12 jeans and I vowed to do what it took to regain control of my body. Well, now five and a half months later my weight is a two digit number and my bmi is barely 16. My health is in a shambles and I am so obsessed and wrapped up in this sickness I feel like I am losing my grasp on reality. I can not pull myself out of it, yet I can not find the will or desire to get help. I realize I am on a suicide mission and I cant stop. I already have osteoporosis which was diagnosed one year after my hysterectomy. My thyroid disorder is worse than ever. My blood pressure is extremely low. I feel like the walking dead. I exercise daily fearing that I am going to faint and be “found out”. I dont want to live but I dont want to die. Life is so overwhelming. I can not eat without fear or guilt. yet I obsess about food, exercise, calories, fat, rituals, etc. 24/7. Its hard to find anyone who understands. I am not a teenage girl. I am not intact. I am menopausal…castrated…at 36. Am I the only one in the world who’s eating disorder was triggered by having a hysterectomy and the loss of my ovaries? Can ANYONE relate?
Thanks,
Starving for Understanding
First, I would like you to know how sorry I am that you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This must be a very difficult time for you.
The purpose of this blog is to provide everyone with the opportunity to talk about their own experiences with hysterectomy. We provide the information that is not be given to women by doctors and hospitals, the information that is requisite to informed consent. It is not a judgment about a woman’s choice to undergo a hysterectomy. HERS supports a woman’s right to choose what she feels will be best for her. But to make that decision she needs to be fully informed about the adverse effects of the surgery. People have different ways of expressing their views. If a offends you, you might want to move on to the next comment.
HERS does not delete or edit comments unless they promote a product. Our policy is to not allow any commercial use of HERS blog. We welcome all other comments. Many women posting about what they have experienced since being hysterectomized are extremely angry and sad. When a woman is hysterectomized and castrated without the information requisite to informed consent, her anger and sadness are completely appropriate. If we suppress justifiable anger in an effort to not ruffle anyone’s feathers or have them feel scared, then women will never have access to the important, accurate information about the consequences of removing the female organs that is her unequivocal right. There are some things that we should scared about, they can change your life forever. Hysterectomy is permanent, it cannot be undone. When some comments are expressed in a way that is uncomfortable to hear, the message is still clear: hysterectomy is a damaging surgery, and removal of the female gonads, the ovaries, is castration. It takes real courage and true grit for a woman to say “I have been castrated, my body and life are forever changed, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make this information public so that this will not be the legacy of the next generation of women. I can see why some comments may be perceived as an attack. However I believe that they are an effort to correct wrong information (such as someone claiming to still experience uterine orgasm after the uterus is removed) so that anyone reading the blog will not be left with a dangerously wrong perception about sexual feeling after hysterectomy.
Even in the small number of hysterectomies and castrations that are life saving women have a right to information about the consequences of the surgery. The choice of treatment is yours. HERS supports your fully informed decision to choose what is best for you.
I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and recuperation.
It is very scary being told you have cancer. These doctors and OB/GYNs use that hackneyed scare tactic to the max. especially for the purpose of offering hyst as the only alternative.
It is obvious some people come to this website with an agenda, which may include attempting to abort and frustrate the efforts of the HERS Foundation.
Those who do so, very quickly discover that HERS and those of us who have suffered so greatly from the deceitful, lying OB/GYNs, will not be sidetracked.
HERS has educated us and our mission is to educate others about the alternatives that will allow women to keep their sex organs.
Obviously the woman who was just told she has cancer, is not interested in any of the posts on this site or elsewhere that give direct information, or website or book info telling the SUCCESS stories of people cured of cancer.
Some of these people welcome contact from others so they can share their success story.
That is one HUGE reason why we need to continue to educate others on this site so they can cure their cancer, save their body parts and be happy.
Not everyone can receive that GREAT NEWS.
There are none so blind as those who will not see, and none so deaf as those who will not hear.
I wish the best for everyone, including the recent cancer victim. I hope she can cure her cancer as that is obviously better than any surgery.
She has missed all the positives on this site because of her own agenda. If she has not read ALL the blogs on HERS, then she is wasting her time just reading a few that comments here that irritate her.
Do you think she will listen?
To anonymous October 10 11:36 I am sorry you have been diagnosed with cancer. May I ask how you know you have cancer? What kind of test did they do? There is a blood test that shows you have cancer. Did they tell you what would happen if you did nothing about it? Or did they just give you surgery as the only options. If they did, I wouldn’t trust them. Susanne Summers has a new book out about her experience with cancer. She talks about other alternatives. Please look into other alternatives. Call Hers see what they have for other options. Did the doctor mention other treatments like radiation after your surgery? Did you see a regular Oncologist, not a gyn oncologist? Without your own Natural hormones you will have a lot of problems. Doctors will never, can never match your own hormones.
To Anonymous with the 10 cm fibroid. You can reach the HERS Foundation at (610) 667-7757 or you can go to hersfoundation.org and click on the contact button for other options. It’s great that you have come to the right place for the correct information so you can save your sex organs. Let us know how you are doing. Hugs.
To Anonymous with cancer. You seem to miss every point that has been written on this website. You failed to answer any of my questions. Maybe it’s you that needs to look beyond what you are feeling. I’m sure it’s very scary to be told you have cancer. Yes, I have read all the posts on this forum. They are from women who have been lied to and deceived into unnecessary surgery for profit. Gynecologists are doing this to over a half a million women per year with benign conditions. That doesn’t seem to bother you. While you say you are looking for support, you seem to have no sympathy or empathy for other women who have been falsely and maliciously deceived into this surgery. It is false and dangerous to promote a barbaric surgery for women with benign conditions when there are less-invasive organ saving procedures. What you may not realize is that many women are told they might have cancer when they don’t, and then their sex organs are amputated when no cancer is found. There is a poster on this blog who was told she might have cancer because of a 6 cm fibroid and for that reason she went in for surgery. When the gynecologist found just a simple fibroid and no cancer, he amputated her uterus, cervix and ovary. This is done to women all the time with the cancer scare and without any medical basis. It’s too late when the woman wakes up without her sex organs. Any reasonable thinking person would see something seriously wrong with that.
Thank all for your comments here.
I have been recently told by my OB/GYN to have hysterectomy due to a 10 cm uterine fibroid. I’ll definitely look for other treatment. Bless your good hearts!
Does anyone know how I can get contact with a board-certified gynecologist referred by HERS?
okay…. with that being said then.. for the love of God, stop saying there is NO reason for hysterectomies. By your statement there atleast 10% that have reasons. AND PLEASE stop calling women “mental” because they say they are happy. It’s not ME bashing anyone… have you read the posts on this forum? and yes, I did come here for help…. didn’t find any. I consider myself pretty brave to announce I’m getting a hysterectomy (cancer related) in this forum… or maybe just stupid. You have got to look beyond what YOU are feeling. You cannot continue to allow the statements “never get”… it’s just false and dangerous.
How could any reasonable thinking women state that it’s a good or positive thing to have her sex organs removed for a benign condition, when there more healthy less-invasive alternatives? Why can’t someone feel better when their hormone producing sex organs are removed without any medical basis? I would have to seriously wonder about the mental health of a woman who thinks her health and sexuality are better with no sex organs. How is it a positive experience to know that you have increased risk for heart attacks and osteoporosis? How is it positive to know that you have been sexually mutilated and that all the nerves, ligaments and blood supply to your genitals have been severed? How is it positive to know that your bladder has been damaged when it was cut away from your uterus? Everyone is welcome to this site, but the majority of women who post here are honest and brave and not afraid to speak out about what damage the sex organ surgery has done to them. If a man who was castrated and had his penis shortened and prostate removed started posting that it was a good experience and promoting it to other men, do you really think they would believe him? No, of course not, men are not that stupid, and either are the women who are educated and understand the detrimental effects of having their sex organs removed.
I don’t really get the impression you came here for support, but instead to bash the women who did not have cancer, and who were lied to and deceived into an unnecessary surgery removing their healthy sex organs, i.e., uterus, cervix and ovaries. The removal of ovaries is female castration. All you have to do is look it up in the dictionary to educate yourself. It is harsh and cruel to castrate a woman with a benign condition, but that is what gynecologists are doing, but they like to sugar-coat it by telling you they are just removing your ovaries (because that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?). If you have cancer and have to have this done as a life saving procedure, it’s sad and everyone has sympathy and compassion for your situation. A lot of vital organs are removed when cancer is present. It’s unfortunate, but it is sometimes the only option to save your life. We are not here discussing cancer, but the point of this forum is to bring to light the unnecessary hysterectomy/castration surgery being performed on 90% of the rest of the female population. Would you want to see women who have benign conditions lied to and deceived so that a gynecologist can remove their sex organs for profit? That is the reality of what is happening in the United States every day. Over 500,000 women per year are deceived in to unnecessary surgery. In your case, you may be saving your life. In my case it damaged my health because I did not have cancer, and I had a easily treatable benign condition, yet I was deceived by a gynecologist so he could remove my healthy organs. I am not sure why you would post here attacking women, while ignoring the very reason this forum exists. Do you think it’s okay for gynecologists to remove the sex organs of 1/3 of the female population in the United States? Do you think that it is okay for gynecologists to deceive women into surgery when there is no medical basis for it? Do you think that it’s okay for gynecologists to withhold information about less invasive treatments and push women into hysterectomy/castration sheerly for profit? If gynecologists only removed these organs when cancer existed, this forum would not exist. My husband hasn’t left me, but it’s been very difficult on our marriage. My ability to have an orgasm has diminished to about 20%. Intercourse is too painful to even try. I have chronic lower abdominal pain and bladder problems, not to mention many other problems. If we just focus on the 10% of women who have cancer, would that be accurate when this is being done to over a half a million women a year who do not have cancer?
What I don’t understand is that when people tell you they have good experiences… you still ridicule them and call them liars. Wouldn’t you want to know how you could change your misery by maybe asking those that are happy what they are doing? Or are you so wrapped up in misery that you are afraid to change it? Why can’t you believe that someone feels better? even if the chances are low… it could still happen. Has someone given you all the knowledge to know how someone else feels? That is how I KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT NOT TO TAKE THIS ORGANIZATION SERIOUSLY. YOU COULD CARE LESS IF SOMEONE IS HAPPY… Everyone HAS to be miserable or they are liars. It makes no sense… you’re not trying to help people. Don’t you see that what you are doing is NOT helping people but instead giving them a forum to moan and groan and feed their misery!!! I’m shocked and appalled. I’ll do EVERYTHING possible to be sure every woman I know stays away from this extremist site…. where you are only welcome if you are miserable.
Wow…. what a let down with this forum. I just found out I have clear cell ovarian cancer. My gyn. and my gyn oncologist have stated (both are women) that it will most likely result in a removal of my ovary (I only have one) and if spread, a removal of my uterus which is likely. They will try to keep my cervix, but won’t know until they get in.
I came here for support and encouragement what things that I can expect, things I can do afterward. Instead, I’m afraid I’ll by persecuted and hung. I mean… castrated…yikes, what harsh words. I guess… the way you put it.. I’ll have no future, no happiness, my husband will leave me, my kids will hate me… I might as well eat worms….and there is NEVER be a reason to get a hysterectomy. Well, if I don’t remove atleast my ovaries… I will die and I don’t want that.
Geez, I thought I was saving my life by having one. Surely, there is one happy story some where in there… or has everyone given up on life out there?
Please… it seems this group is not compassionate… but I’m asking that you keep your harsh words and how bad my life will be opinions to yourself… this is hard enough as it is.
Hysterectomy and the removal of the ovaries and cervix are a large portion of the surgery done for sex-reassignment surgery. Yes, ladies, you are about 80% on your way to a complete sex change.
To Kim of August7, 2008 12:15 AM
Your comment concerning a feeling of “tightness in the chest” rings a bell for me. I’m 60 and I had
a hyst 3 years ago. Since then,I’ve been having this feeling of tightness, not in the chest, but around my torso from below the breast, right to my back. It’s as if I’m wearing a thick leather belt below the breast and it’s really uncomfortable. Has anyone else experienced this?
This mass de-sexing for profit by deceit is obviously a job for the one and only:
Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera, could uncover this vault of 22 million heinous hysterectomy/castrations by deceit for profit by the ob/gyn’s of America.
Is, Geraldo Rivera, aware of the heinous epidemic? Write to him and find out.
To Castrated of Oct 8
I heartily agree with you, and you accurately describe the status quo.
Change is needed, and our voices will not be in vain.
These lying OB/GYNs must be stopped from mutilating women for profit, by deceit.
I guess Michael Moore doesn’t link his web site to Hers Foundation because it would make an ass out of him, after he screamed health care to the extreme. Now it appears he doesn’t want to admit Gynecologists are dangerous and systematically de-sexing the American Woman for Profit by Deceit. I am going to ask him again and maybe he can tell us how, knowing he has the influence to stop this heinous de-sexing for profit by deceit, he hasn’t even responded.
HELP….This hysterectomy is killing me, I can’t take this much longer. How can women survive after this damage? How are you living like this?
To Anonymous who posted on 10/6 about her positive experience with hysterectomy. What you don’t realize is that you were also duped by the medical profession. You may think you made an informed decision, but sadly you didn’t. Although you have tried some other remedies and alternatives, you weren’t give the proper and good health care that you deserved. A skilled gynecologist could have removed your fibroid tumors, but you were lied to and only given the hysterectomy option just like millions of other women. Had a gynecologist just removed your fibroids before you became anemic, you would have never suffered the way you did and been in a vulnerable position to just accept a barbaric surgery that doesn’t fix a problem, but covers it up and damages your sexuality and pelvic area. Your hormonal imbalances are not caused by your uterus, so even though you do not have a uterus, the imbalances in your body still exist. The uterus is not a diseased organ, but is a symptom of an imbalance in your system. Instead of addressing that imbalance, surgeons like to remove organs because that’s where they make their money. They often give women hormone treatments that make their condition worse so they are ripe for a hysterectomy. Your gynecologist lied to you about the myomectomy. Did your gynecologist tell you that the removal of your uterus increases your risk for heart attacks? Have you viewed the anatomy charts that shows all the damage that is done to your nerves, ligaments and arteries when the uterus is amputated, not to mention the damage to your bladder and the shifting of your bowel and other internal organs? Now you still have the hormonal imbalance and now you’ve incurred damage to your endocrine system, and your health has permanently been damaged.
I’ve heard many women say “It’s the best thing I ever did”. That seems to be a catch phrase for this barbaric sex organ surgery when women are trying to cover up the damage they’ve incurred. You would never hear a man say that being castrated, having his penis shortened and having his prostate removed was “the best thing he ever did”. It would be sad if you had cancer and had to have it done, but for it to be done without medical basis, which it was, is truly sad. Did you know they were performing myomectomy in the 1800’s? It is not a new procedure, but gynecologists would like you to think it is because it is not where the money is. If you don’t believe it, just watch a doctor at UCLA describe how it’s done for money at:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/
playerIndex?id=3892479
Although this doctor also suggests some alternative damaging procedures as the HERS Foundation points out, he does admit clearly that women are being lied to and deceived for profit.
Two years ago, I was referred to a gyno after I complained about heavy periods. I was 47 years old.
The gyno manipulated me into consenting to a hysterectomy by misleading me to believe that:
– fibroids are a serious disease for which there are no other available or suitable treatments other than hysterectomy;
– fibroids are massive uterine tumours which grow and multiply quickly;
– fibroid tumours can not be surgically removed and even if he [the gyno] tried to remove just the fibroid tumours, many more fibroid tumours would quickly grow in their place;
– if I didn’t have a hysterectomy, I would become so severely anaemic that I would require life saving blood transfusions;
– if I did not have a hysterectomy, I would invariably suffer from severe life threatening haemorrhaging; and
– my ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix would only be removed if it was confirmed during the surgery that they were affected by serious and life threatening disease such as cancer.
The gyno removed my uterus, cervix, left ovary and fallopian tube. None of these organs were affected by cancer. I might also add that there have been no cases of gynaecological cancers across 4 known generations of women in my family.
I now know that the surgery was completely unnecessary and my best option would have been to do nothing other than wait for the onset of menopause and the natural cessation of my monthly period.
Since the hysterectomy, I have suffered from severe depression.
I did not suffer from depression prior to the hysterectomy.
I have also sought treatment for a range of health problems including pain, constipation, fatigue, hormone imbalance and loss of libido.
These problems have had a devastating impact on my personal relationships and career prospects.
I have found it very difficult to elicit any interest in my complaint about unnecessary surgery. (By the way, all costs for the surgery were fully subsidised by my private medical insurance cover.)
When I rang a publicly funded women’s health service to find out what avenues were available for me to make a formal complaint against the gyno who performed an unnecessary hysterectomy, I was told that I didn’t need a uterus.
When I sought treatment from another doctor for the health problems I was suffering after the hysterectomy and had explained to him about the terrible physical, psychological and sexual injury I had suffered as a result of the hysterectomy, he said, “But surely you must be glad that you don’t have periods anymore.”
I have made a formal complaint against the gyno but the officail finding is that although the surgery was probably not necessary, it’s too bad because I signed a consent form. They have closed my file.
I have neither the time or the money to pursue legal action.
I want to warn as many other women as I can to please think long and hard before you agree to the removal of the very organs which define you as a woman.
Seriously think about it. Do you honestly believe that you will find sex as enjoyable once your supposedly “useless” female reproductive and sexual organs have been removed? Do you think you will feel as sexy and loving when your vagina is sewn into a desensitised blind ended pouch?
Whenever, I meet any women now professing to have had a good hysterectomy experience, I ask them if they have sought medical treatment since the hysterectomy. Invariably, they are taking synthetic hormones, painkillers, anti-depressants or are seeking treatment for bowel complaints, back pain etc.
They also are convinced that they “had to have” a hysterectomy even though they did not have cancer.
I just wish I had known about HERS Foundation before I let a gyno scam me into agreeing to this life destroying surgery.
Regards,
Charmaine (Australia)
mainie7@bigpond.net.au
As I watched the, Barack Obama and John McCain, debate tonight all I could think about when they were discussing health insurance was that I would not have been given an unnecessary hysterectomy/castration for profit if I didn’t have health insurance. I wish I never had health insurance my health and body would be intact right now, if I had not had medical insurance. The term health insurance is an oxymoron to me now. I would have declined health insurance if I had known what I know now.
How could we make ourselves less invisible to the President of America when the next president takes office? I wonder if the senators know how serious the casualty’s are from this horrible medical lie and epidemic. Would the senators stop the hysterecomization of the American Woman if they were made aware of the situation?. Would, Barack Obama, since he is against lobbyists and special interests act quickly to enact a law to stop the heinous epidemic. Barack Obama and John McCain both discussed atrocities in other countries tonight. What about the hysterectomy/castration epidemic in their own country-22 Million women being deceived for profit by the ob/gyn’s in America. That would have been my question in the arena tonight!
To male in mich
I always appreciate reading your male perspective. It somehow validates my own opinions of what the males in our lives must feel when we have undergone these surgical mutilations.
I am so sorry that husbands as well as ALL other family members suffer, not only the females who actually had these female sex-organ surgeries.
I have never been married, and now at age 60, I know that everyone in my family has paid a high price since my surgery. They are innocent, as I was innocent, when this was done to me.
My family do not understand what has happened to me and I am unable to explain, though I do try when I feel they might have an open ear.
It has devastated my relationship with all my family members, my friends, co-workers, neighbors etc. and I am unable to have any meaningful relationship with anyone. This is what this surgery does and there is no mind bending we attempt that can change this. We lose control over our bodies because our bodies are unable to cope without all their essential body parts. We are trying our best. None of us is just giving up. It is our bodies that have given us up.
I can only imagine how difficult this is for you as you are one of the TENS of MILLIONS of INNOCENT VICTIMS of these hysterectomy and sex-organ surgeries.
I appreciate the fact that you appear to be as understanding about your wife’s dilema, as you possibly can. She has been dealt a devastating blow by her surgery. It is understandable that she does not understand what is happening to her, especially if her doctors try to persuade her that her post-surgery health issues, have no relation to her current health status.
Lying in the medical industry has become par for the course.
Unless these medical lies are challenged by brave souls, it will continue for generations to come, and affect our children, neices, nephews,grandchildren,grandneices, grandnephews, greatgrandchildren Ad infinitum …
These surgical mutilators must be stopped!
We victims still have a voice, let us use it!
We can still sign the HERS Foundation Petition, mandating that every patient, before consenting to this surgery, must view the HERS DVD ‘The Functions of the Female Organs’
male in mich.
In this months “Ladies Home Journal” there is an article mostly condeming hysterectomy as a mostly unnecessary procedure. My wife gets the magazine and I happened to catch the article. I was hoping she would read it as she has multiple health issues caused from shunted endocrine system, including hysterectomy. As I’ve posted before life is up and down for me. My wife has mood swings from far and wide. I just clear the house on the bad days. On the good days it’s bearable.
This is starting to sound like the cervix-cut in half and sewn closed at the top of the vagina still works after a hysterectomy and doesn’t adversely effect the woman’s sexuality. Don’t forget the cervical stump is sewn closed too after sex organ amputation.
The woman who lied to me, before I was butchered by deceit, told me the truth after she tricked me. Her ovaries stopped working within a year after her sex organ was amputated because of the lack of blood circulation and trauma to her ovaries. The cervical stump is sutured (sewn) closed too and the woman no longer has a natural discharge of hormones to her vaginal pocket.
The cervical stump-because the cervix is cut off at the base of the vagina to amputate the uterus-ceases to function without a uterus and the cervix stump is then no longer a working sexual organ.
The cervical stump myth is perpetuated by the ob/gyn’s to trick women by the millions into thinking her sexuality will not be adversely affected if the (sewn closed) cervical stump is remaining.
A woman’s uterus is her sex organ and when it is amputated from her cervix (which is cut in half and sewn closed rendering it a useless sex organ) her sexuality, physiology and over-all physical well-being are mutilated causing life-long damage and adverse consequences.
Anonymous:
I’m glad you feel good about the decision to undergo a hysterectomy, You said you don’t feel as if you’ve been castrated. If your uterus was removed but your ovaries were not, you were not castrated. Castration is removal of the female gonads, the ovaries.
You said that you tried every possible remedy to your heavy bleeding from fibroids, to no avail, and that your gynecologist said a myomectomy wasn’t possible because you “had so many large fibroids there would be no uterus left to stitch back together.”
If you had read this blog or contacted HERS prior to your hysterectomy you would have known that the only time a myomectomy can’t be performed is when the doctor doesn’t have the skill. The only time you need a hysterectomy for fibroids is when you have the wrong doctor.
If your cervix was not amputated with your uterus your vagina was not shortened and sutured shut at the top, as it is in almost all hysterectomies. It would be wise to obtain a copy of your surgical report and your pathology report to confirm that your cervix was not removed with your uterus, since that’s the way almost all hysterectomies are performed.
You said that “I can orgasm as well as I did before the surgery.” Apparently you never experienced powerful contractions of the uterus during orgasm. It’s understandable that orgasm hasn’t changed for you, you can only lose what you have. If it wasn’t in your past experience you haven’t lost it. Perhaps you have slight vaginal wall contractions that a small percentage of women report as their experience of orgasm.
The uterus is a hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel. When only the uterus is removed women have a three times greater incidence of heart disease, and when the ovaries are removed the incidence is of heart disease is 7 times greater than it is in intact women. There is no time in a woman’s life that she doesn’t need her uterus and ovaries.
Your surgery must have been very recent since you said you’re just starting to exercise and feel better. I wish you a continued uneventful recuperation.
Dr. Dan E. Chesnut’s book, “LYING WITH AUTHORITY”, exposes some of what goes on inside the medical profession.
Lying is nothing new to the medical profession, and Dr. Chestnut is willing to expose some of it!
Hysterectomy is big business, and I am convinced there are many in the medical industry willing to lie to keep the business brisk.
The following are some random quotes taken from the Hallelujah Acres newsletter dd 10-7-08:
QUOTE
…The author is Dr. Dan E. Chesnut, a graduate of Oklahoma University Medical School in 1963, who has been licensed to practice medicine for 44 years; has treated thousands of patients with hundreds of different diseases; and thus has a lot of hard-core and hard earned experience.
…“I know many people who stopped these diseases and avoided ghastly surgery and the expense that comes with it. And after these patients shared the success with their doctors the vast majority of them were treated with disdain, arrogant aloofness, or even anger. Can anybody understand that? I once advised an executive of a large retail firm to make some changes in his diet for his ulcerative colitis. It changed his life. His doctors told him ‘food did not matter’. This, my friends, is the very symbol of a very big problem with some doctors and medical care in general: an incomprehensible closure of the mind. . .
…“I want to be clear on what areas of disease I cover. They are infections, allergies, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, psychiatric disorders, cancer, arthritis, intestinal disease, drug induced disease and other degenerative conditions. The diseases causing most deaths…
“Regarding surgery, people gasp at the drama and technical wizardry of surgeons and their array of equipment – balloons in arteries, artificial joints, and robots cutting out disease directed by doctors at a computer, regeneration of amputated fingers, high tech eye microsurgery, and so on. But these docs, skilled as they are, are not gods and, please understand, they are often operating to cut out or modify anatomy which is the result of disease, most of which could have been prevented before they came to the operating theater.
…“Just to show you how this works in reverse, I was told by a noted surgeon 12 years ago that my gall bladder was 10% functioning, that I had to have it removed and that diet or supplements would not help. I became a vegan and cleaned up my body. The gall bladder symptoms disappeared completely within 2 weeks and I still have a (normal) gallbladder today! Look at what I saved: surgery, medications, expense and risk of complication! And this is just an example of what may be possible for anyone to do, with many illnesses… END QUOTE
To:
1) Anonymous who is happy to remove her Uterus.
Your post is ‘suspect’.
Nevertheless, I will respond because I want to help those who might fall prey to your genuine innocence, just in case you are really unaware of the facts.
I can understand the possibility of a ‘honeymoon’ stage immediately following the surgical removal of your Uterus.
You are euphoric at having come through the surgery, and feeling thankful to be alive. You are in the early stages of feeling your body gradually heal from the ‘surgical’ trauma. I am happy for you.
Been there, done that.
After my castration and hysterectomy surgery, my body gradually healed from the surgery, I actually played a game of lawn tennis and thought all was well.
Then 9 months post surgery, I began to get weaker over a period of several weeks and could not go to work. I was rushed to the hospital because I suddenly became semi-conscious. Tests were done to try to determine why my body shut down.
After the test results, the hospital staff and my doctor all said they had no idea why I collapsed. I was released from the hospital after a day or two, and told to resume life as normal! No changes to the only med I was taking, the Estrogen, or any other changes in diet etc. recommended!
I was unable to return to work for many months after this episode, and had to change jobs because I could no longer cope with the loved and cherished office job I had enjoyed for so many years, up to this time.
No doubt, I had suffered from Endocrine Exhaustion. But that would not occur to the medics, because they do not want to link any of the surgery’s known after-effects, to the female sex-organ surgery!
The medical profession protects their own. To suggest that I was experiencing the known after-effects from this surgery, would then create questions to be answered by the Surgeon and my doctors! That is a definite no no in the medical profession. They protect their own.
My body could not cope with the loss of one of my seven MAJOR endocrine organs/glands, (my 2 Ovaries). So I went into Endocrine Exhaustion/Shock, and in my case, it took 9 months after my surgery to materialize.
I was also prescribed a fairly high dose of Estrogen immediately after the surgery. I was only age 24, and a very slight build. I was always considered underweight all my life. I conclude that the comparatively high Estrogen dose contributed to my collapse because many years later, when I was finally able to convince one doctor to reduce my Estrogen dose, I did feel a little better for it. He agreed to help me gradually reduce the daily dose over many years. This also helped somewhat.
I was one of the ‘lucky’ ones who lived to go on to endure the next 36 years, post surgery, of living daily agony and health trauma every day of life since.
Enjoy your euphoria. It will not last forever. It is possible neither you nor your doctor(s) are likely to link any of the known after effects of this surgery to any of your future health issues. That is the current par for the course. The medical profession is protecting itself and its lucrative income.
Hysterectomy is BIG BUSINESS!.
Your Ovaries, over time, are not going to be able to function normally because of the loss of your Uterus, and all the hormone and other substances and activities necessary by the Uterus for good health, as it relates to your Ovaries and other body parts and functions.
Your resulting compromised Estrogen and Collagen status will cause trauma to your venous (veins, arteries, capillaries etc.), gastrointestinal, muscular, bone, teeth, eyes etc. no doctor is likely to give you the correct medical information at that time either. They will not make the medical connection to your Uterus removal surgery. They have to protect each other.
Look up Senile Porpura, Cornea tissue tears (of the eyes) etc. These are all related to the compromised Estrogen/Collagen status, likely to occur, after female sex organ surgery. Online, type the words ‘Estrogen Collagen’ together, and click on ‘Search’. There is a lot of useful info there, starting with the Wikipedia definitions etc.
Do not be surprised when you begin to have gradually worsening eyesight difficulties, joint pain, muscle weakness, difficulty balancing when walking, getting vertigo climbing up or down stairs, unable to endure heights of any sort, unable to enter or work in high-rise buildings, short term memory loss,bouts of nausea or vomiting, inability to recognise your usual personality and ‘self’ etc. etc. The list is extensive, and these are just a few I have personally encountered.
You will find the more accurate health/medical information to help you deal with your post-surgery after effects, on this website and the blogs.
I have posted enough blogs here, along with others, to help point anyone interested, in the right direction. Many of us give details of the nutritional supplements that have helped us, the naturopathic treatments that give some measure of relief, etc.
We are talking from personal experience, and not quoting from some textbook, which the male Gynecologists do! They can not possibly understand the deeper female issues here. No one can talk from experience unless they have gone through these surgeries. Indisputable Fact!
At 60 years of age, I have seen too many incorrect, swift assumptions made, without any deep, long-lasting, detailed investigations and research done, before some junk ends up in some medical text book.
There are too many jerks around, and too many money-hungry individuals ready to sacrifice integrity, truthfulness and honesty for a few pieces of silver. I was very trusting when young. I have learnt a few things since then.
I remember my recovery period, after my castration and hysterectomy. It was medically noted as ‘non eventful’. To my Surgeon/Gynecologist, I am their ‘success’ story. Enjoy the laugh! I laugh daily about this! They are all such a lark!
If you had had the correct medical/health help, you would have been able to balance your system, and eliminating the bleeding problem. I doubt you were born with your fibroids. They had a cause which made them appear and the reason they continued to grow was because the cause was not treated.
I too, had menstrual problems from puberty. I sought medical help for years. I was never medically treated correctly and that is why I ended up with an Ovarian Cyst. End of story.
To:
2) My Kindred Spirit, Mattie.
Your recent post here describes more accurately what I have experienced since my surgery. I have had no other surgeries before or after, and no other illness that could begin to suggest the reasons for experiencing such similar after-effects, as those posting to this blog and those taking part in the HERS Foundation ‘After Effect’ Survey.
To Anonymous of 10-6-08 who was happy to have her Uterus removed.
I hope you understand that you were not treated medically successfully, prior to surgery, because your bleeding did not stop and your fibroids did not shrink.
Your health/medical condition would have improved and you would have returned to normal/good health had you received successful, appropriate medical/health treatments.
I’ll bet none of your medical practitioners ever told you, ‘I don’t know how to stop the excessive bleeding successfully.’ It would be interesting if we patients asked our Gynecologists how many successes they have had, with stopping excessive bleeding, in similar situations to ours, when we begin to receive their offers of ‘help’ or possible ‘cures’ for this condition.
If I am being medically treated for years for such a condition, then told I need to surgically remove my Uterus after so many years of medical treatment, I would not consider that a success story!
That does not spell SUCCESS for the doctor, or you! That is an admission by the medical professional, that they are unable to treat you back to good health. Modern doctors’ medical training is mostly geared to treating the effects of diseases, not the cause. The fact that they would give you an aspirin for a headache, and not treat the cause of the headache, is a perfect example. The fact that we are happy to pay them for this ridiculous advice, only shows how far we have come, from the real art of treating disease/health conditions successfully, and are now quite happy to continue doing so, with no thought of how to do things differently, should give us some food for thought.
Doctors are not divine. They are not God. They are human like you and I and need to be treated that way. They make mistakes. They are ignorant about some things, just as you and I are ignorant about some things. None of us is perfect, and I have yet to meet the perfect doctor who had all the answers.
This is logical, truthful, and non-negotiable reasoning!
Anonymous said: “So I made an informed decision to have a hysterectomy. I asked to have my ovaries and cervix retained and they just removed my diseased uterus. To me it is no different than getting rid of any other diseased organ. If it were a diseased kidney, or spleen or gall bladder I’d feel relieved to have it gone and that’s how I feel about saying goodbye to my uterus – I am thrilled to wave it goodbye. It has caused me nothing but problems.”
Anonymous,
You are obviously the same hysterectomy advocate who has been intermittingly posting. No you did not make an informed decision and for that I am sorry for you.
No woman doesn’t want her hormone responsive sex organ! The uterus is crucial to a woman’s sexual well-being and for her over-all health and well-being during her entire lifetime. The uterus houses hormones that the inept ob/gyn’s do not medically have all of the scientific data on yet, how careless and destructive of the ob/gyns to lie for decades and decades to perform a sex-organ amputation by deceit.
Think again before you try to act like a lesbian this time and promote more lies and deceit. Can you imagine a man saying, I was glad to wave my prostate gland goodbye, it has caused me nothing but problems.LOL
Dear Hers Foundation, I recently had a hysterectomy and I just wanted to report that for me it has been a very positive experience. For 30+ years I have suffered with heavy and painful periods. I started at the age of 11 and it has robbed me of so much in life. The amount of time in my life I have spent suffering from my periods is irreplaceable. In the last couple of years the bleeding has been so heavy that I became anemic and exhausted every month. I would have one week in the month where I would feel good and the rest of the month was a living nightmare.
Upon investigation it turns out that I had numerous orange sized uterine fibroids. My uterus was the size of a 16 week pregnancy.
Over the years I have tried every available treatment known to womankind, and none gave any lasting relief. This included provera, contraceptive pill, laparoscopy, hystroscopy, dilation and curette, naturopathic and herbal treatment, acupuncture, yoga, feldenkreis etc. And I have spent thousands of dollars trying to gain relief but to no avail.
I initially thought I would have a myomectomy and endometrial ablation but my (female) gynecologist said there were so many large fibroids that there would be no uterus left to stitch back together if they did a myomectomy.
So I made an informed decision to have a hysterectomy. I asked to have my ovaries and cervix retained and they just removed my diseased uterus. To me it is no different than getting rid of any other diseased organ. If it were a diseased kidney, or spleen or gall bladder I’d feel relieved to have it gone and that’s how I feel about saying goodbye to my uterus – I am thrilled to wave it goodbye. It has caused me nothing but problems.
I got through the surgery fine and my surgeon has done a very neat job. I am feeling great. I don’t feel as if I have been castrated or violated. My energy levels are returning and so has my sex drive. I can orgasm as well as I did before the surgery. I feel as if I can finally regain my life after 30+ years of period horror! I am looking forward to the future and gaining my fitness back. Instead of only having energy to exercise one week of the month, I now have the energy to exercise everyday!
I did not take the decision to have a hysterectomy lightly. I spoke with many women who have had hysterectomies and every single one of them said it was the best thing they ever did. I did not hear one horror story. I just could not go on the way I was as I am at least ten years away from menopause.
My partner found your website and it caused an enormous amount of grief between us because she is so anti-hysterectomy. But not all hysterectomies are bad in my opinion and I was at the point where I had very few options. I am sorry so many women have had such bad experiences on your website. Maybe I am lucky, but my hysterectomy has been a very positive experience for me.
Mattie, you describe my life perfectly. It is like a soldier getting his balls shot off, except it is worse because they are in a war zone anticipating they might get hurt because they know there’s an enemy. Unlike innocent American women who just go to their doctor for health reasons and then get lied to and castrated for profit.
I feel disabled in so many ways now that it is crushing and my health now is poor at best. This is truly a torture, my abdomen hurts and feels mangled from trying to do something as easy as painting. I hardly ever clean my house now and I used to clean it every week, I keep it neat, but have no stamina. The atrophy is gruesomely painful and grotesque and I wish I was dead every day. I cant concentrate and feel like I am in the wrong body, it makes me want to vomit and cry. I should be collecting disability period, no question about it. I am in post traumatic distress as horrifyingly as a soldier at war who had their balls shot off. What a horrifying life my life is now and a very serious malady, derangement and degenerative condition the ob/gyns have inflicted on me by deceit along with millions of women, severely humiliating and embarrassing to boot :/
Stop the legal ob/gyn criminal assault of women by legal surgical assault and battery, Hers Foundation. I am here with you and I understand every day of torture you have endured and the heart break you must feel after so many years of trying to stop this surgical holocaust called hysterectomy/oophorectomy by legal deceit.
You may be eligible for “Social Security Disability” or “Supplemental Security Income benefits”
Do you have a severe physical and/or mental impairment that prevents you from working?
Do you have a disability that prohibits you from working in any capacity – not just in the job you held previously?
Has your disability lasted – or is it expected to last – for at least one year?
Is the disability life threatening?
Types of Disabilities: Physical Disabilities
Brain Injury
Fibromyalgia
and more…
Types of Disabilities: Mental Disabilities
post traumatic stress disorder
anxiety disorder
and more…
Is it possible to collect “Disability” after having a hysterectomy and oophorectomy? Has anyone on this blog been able to collect “disability”? And if you have can you explain what I need to do to get help from the government. My heath is ruined.
Anonymous,
Your comparison is right on the mark about the language people use when talking about rape, and the language used in talking about surgical assault on a woman’s sex organs: “…if a man gives a woman a date rape drug and rapes her, it is not referred to as "unnecessary sex." Women do not go to the police and say that a man had unnecessary sex with me, and unnecessarily drugged me. If that was how rape was described, it is clear that it would never be acknowledged as a crime or be prosecuted. The similarity also exists in that because the woman is drugged or under anesthesia, she may not ever completely realize what was done to her. ”
Caroline Richmond, a medical journalist in the UK, went into surgery for a D&C. When she came out of the anesthetic she was told that her uterus and ovaries had been removed. She did not consent to hysterectomy or castration. At the suggestion of a physician friend she went to the police and reported it as an unwanted touching, which in criminal law is the way rape is defined. The police sent a female officer to interview her and an official report was filed. A serious police investigation was pursued. The well-known Royal surgeon was not charged. Caroline then pursued civil litigation, and she won in the lesser civil court. The doctor was sanctioned in any way. Although he was not found guilty of any criminal wrong doing, what Caroline did was extremely powerful. The story, with the doctor’s photo, was published in several newspapers for weeks. Thanks to Caroline, the doctor was tried in the court of public opinion with his mug shot in every major newspaper in the UK, accompanied by the story of what he did to her.
If every woman who did not consent to removal of their female organs who was hysterecotmized or castrated reported it to the police as an unwanted touching it would shine a light on what doctors are doing to women. Every person who knows what is being done to women in operating rooms all around the world should be morally outraged.
Your comment began with a statement about a gynecologist, William Parker. I strongly object to Parker’s statements about the doctors reconsidering removing the ovaries routinely, which has been the practice for many years. His position creates the impression that it’s okay to remove the uterus as long as the ovaries aren’t removed. This is dangerously wrong. The uterus is a hormone responsive reproductive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel. It has vitally important functions all of a woman’s life. There is no age and no time in a woman’s life that she does not need all of her female organs. I’ve debated this issue with a leading feminist women’s health advocate who supports Parker. She believes he should be praised for suggesting to his colleagues that they should less surgical damage to women by not removing their ovaries when they remove their sex organs. It’s not okay to do some surgical damage to women by removing their sex organs. Of course doctors should stop castrating women. But the choice is not either castrate women by removing their ovaries when their sex organs are removed, or don’t castrate them but keep removing their sex organs. Neither is acceptable. Doctors should not remove the uterus or the ovaries. Not only must they be stopped from castrating women, they must be stopped from removing any of a woman’s sex organs.
Make your voice heard.
The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.
–Albert Einstein
“ABC NEWS”. Internet top video selection: Many women are getting hysterectomies despite less invasive options.
In 2007, William H. Parker M.D, UCLA School Of Medicine, pointed out that many ob/gyn’s in America are greedy inept liars in a top videos selection done by ABC News. Except for Dr. Parker’s references to ablation, UAE, and cutting it (female sex organ/uterus) out through the belly button, the internet segment bashes the untrained gynecological field.
What will it take for the major television media news to grab hold of the heinous de-sexing of the American woman by deceit?. In history it will be the legacy of the medical doctors who practiced during the epidemic legal crime of hysterectomy/castration, by deceit.
I don’t believe that the words “unnecessary hysterectomy” together or separately accurately describe the purposeful extensive physical and emotional damage that is done to a woman when it is performed without medical basis. First, in order to get a woman who does not need surgery into a surgical room, a doctor would have to tell her something that was not true. The doctor would have to purposefully make her believe that something was wrong with her to the extent that she would submit to a major surgery. That would constitute fraud. After that she signs a consent form stating that she has been given all the information about this surgery, including alternatives, risks and side effects. How would an average woman know if she was informed of all the pertinent information? Regardless, she is then put under anesthesia where she has no control over what is done to her. At that time, a doctor cuts her open and proceeds to cut all her ligaments, arteries, nerves and other organs that attach to her uterus and cervix while removing them and sewing her vagina into a closed pocket (as fully described above in a previous post).
Similarly, if a man gives a woman a date rape drug and rapes her, it is not referred to as “unnecessary sex.” Women do not go to the police and say that a man had unnecessary sex with me, and unnecessarily drugged me. If that was how rape was described, it is clear that it would never be acknowledged as a crime or be prosecuted. The similarity also exists in that because the woman is drugged or under anesthesia, she may not ever completely realize what was done to her.
It is important to distinguish the difference between something that is unnecessary, as opposed to an act that is purposely done under fraudulent circumstances with the knowledge that it will cause harm. If a woman was abducted on the street, knocked out, and woke up on the curb with all her sex organs missing, the public would be horrified and outraged. What if this was being done to millions of women? The police would have a task force devoted to finding the criminal and prosecuting him. However, that is basically what is happening to women in the United States every day at the hands of gynecologists. The difference is that it is done through a doctor’s office behind closed doors, and in a hospital where women assume they are safe. If a woman submits to surgery under fraudulent circumstances, and her internal organs are amputated and mutilated, what would an accurate statement be for that? If doctors who did this were accused of fraud, violence and mutilation, instead of unnecessary hysterectomy, it would shed light on the violence that is being committed and allow the criminal justice system to prosecute these cases just like any other violent crime.
The United States now acknowledges rape as a crime, but in many other countries the woman is still blamed for it. I believe that in the United States that most women are being blamed now for hysterectomy/castration, even though they were deceived and misled into a surgery room, and it was done to them while they were not conscious. If it is ever going to be stopped, we have to call it what it is. It is surgical violence against women. If a woman is raped, it creates emotional scars and sometimes physical damage that heals. When a women is violated surgically by a gynecologist, she is mutilated and the her health and well-being are permanently taken away.
FYI. Each year the American Scociety of Advanced Gynecological Surgeons meet. This year it is during Halloween in Las Vegas at the Paris HOTEL. It might be a great time to protest against hysterectomy.
Go to aagl.org to learn more about the meeting. IF you really want to get the attention of leading gynecologist this would be the place to do it.
to HERS,
thank you for the above response. i actually called today and spoke to Irene, and am scheduled to speak to Nora Coffey on Friday 10/3. after 2 doctors recommended hysterectomy and 1 doctor said “do nothing”, and prescribed reducing stress to treat my fibroids, i was starting to feel quite depressed, but the prospect of getting useful information from the consult on friday gives me a renewed sense of hope. thank you.
Jamie,
You’re wise to read about fibroids and the alternatives in treatment, and to listen to what women report about their experiences after hysterectomy.
If you would like information about how to evaluate a gynecologists skill at performing myomectomy contact HERS to talk about what you’re experiencing. You can arrange a telephone appointment by calling HERS at 610.667.7757. If you would like to receive information by email you can go to HERS website at http://www.hersfoundation.org and fill out a contact form.
This is HERS brief fibroid “lecture”:
Fibroids are benign growths of muscle and connective tissue that grow until you reach menopause. Then they slowly and gradually shrink to a negligible size, at which time they will be small and calcified.
The average size of the uterus including fibroids in the late thirties to early forties is a ten to twelve week pregnancy size (about 13cm in the largest dimension), in the middle forties fourteen to sixteen weeks is average (about 17cm in the largest dimension), and in the late forties to early fifties eighteen to twenty weeks is average (about 21cm in the largest dimension).
Fibroids have two rapid growth spurts that are natural, predictable, and not a cause for alarm. The first rapid growth spurt is in the late thirties to early forties. Then you have a few years of slower growth. Right before you go through menopause, when you have the hormone changes associated with the beginning of menopause, you have the second and last rapid growth spurt. Then the fibroids slowly and gradually shrink to a negligible size.
You develop all of the new fibroids you are going to have in your 30’s you do not develop new fibroids in your 40’s.
Both estrogens and progesterone stimulate fibroid growth. Many women use the so called “natural” progesterone yam cream that promoters claim shrinks fibroids, but in fact it makes them grow.
Fibroids are not a disease, they are your genetic blueprint. If you can live with the symptoms it would probably be better than unnecessary intervention of any kind. If you cannot live with the symptoms a myomectomy is a reasonable option. You never need a hysterectomy for fibroids unless you have the wrong doctor. If a doctor tells you that you have too many fibroids, they’re too large, or they’re in a location that makes myomectomy impossible you’re going to a doctor who doesn’t have the skill to perform the surgery. There is no such thing as fibroids that are too numerous, too large, or in a location where they can’t be removed if the doctor has the skill.
i am 36 years old. about 3 weeks ago, i was diagnosed with fibroids. they are big enough to be causing health issues i cannot ignore — including extreme anemia. now, some of you are going to find this hard to believe, but i’ve never been to an ob/gyn or had a pap or pelvic exam, prior to my diagnosis a few weeks ago. so, unlike many women, i didn’t have time to “watch and wait” or have any forewarning. if you can imagine, i took the diagnosis pretty hard — i didn’t know anything can grow inside a uterus, except a baby. once i heard my family doctor say, “i think it’s uterine fibroids, but we have to do an utrasound to confirm”, the entire car ride home, i kept repeating “uterine fibroids, uterine fibroids… ” in my head, so i can google it as soon as i got home. once i reached home, i hurriedly kicked off my shoes, and googled the words. my mind raced as i was quickly absorbing and digesting a flood of information, and at that point, i intuitively KNEW, even without further exams, that his suspicions were correct. and as i kept reading, and the dreaded “H” word kept popping up, my heart began to beat fast, as i came to a realization, that i am going to have some difficult times ahead of me. for about a good 2 weeks or so, all i did was cry — daily pity parties, and boxes and boxes of tissues. everytime i saw the word “hysterectomy”, i cried uncontrollably. the letter “H” has become my most hated word in the english alphabet.
but now, i’ve gotten a lot of the anger and confusion out of my system (although not completely), have rolled up my sleeves and am ready to become my #1 health advocate. and this is how my thought process has been evolving: when i knew very little, i was leaning heavily toward a subtotal hysterectomy. the more i read, i was giving a lot of weight to embolization. but with even more knowledge, i was leaning toward a myomectomy. recently, i went back to favoring the hysterectomy, but stumbling on HERS has made me reconsider. i’m realizing that with a myomectomy, the most important thing is to find a highly skilled surgeon, and that becomes tricky. i’ve read that only about 6,000 myos are performed each year, so the frequency is only 1% of hysterectomies. that’s discouragingly low. so far, none of the ob/gyn’s i’ve talked to speaks favorably of myos. i don’t necessarily think that they’re opposed to it, i think the simple truth is, they are not skilled enough. they don’t feel confident enough to masterfully and successfully perform the surgery. i wonder how many surgeries start out as a myomectomy, but end up a hysterectomy, with the true reason being that the surgeon didn’t know what he was doing, but he give the bogus reason “sorry, you were bleeding way too much and we had to perform a hysterectomy to save your life”. for once, i’d like to come across a doctor who’s ethical, caring, brave and human enough to admit, “i don’t know”, or “i don’t have too much experience performing that surgery”. i’m sure there are many great doctors out there, that are truly compassionate and care about human suffering, but i also know there are many arrogant ones out there, that are not good people, or doctors, and should have their license taken away from them.
one way that HERS has helped me, is to sway me into not ignoring my gut feelings, that removing an entire critical organ(s) HAS to create an imbalance within the whole person — if not now, then probably later on in life. i have to admit, i am a scientific minded person, so i’ve been looking primarily for scientific evidence, versus the mostly anecdotal onces i got here, from sources like the NIH (national institute of health). however, there appears to be a dearth of scientific research out there that legitamately, definitively and persuasively points me in the direction of getting a hysterectomy. the studies usually have small sample sizes, often poorly constructed, and make sweeping generalizations like, “most were happy with the outcome”, which leaves me very unsatistifed. if there’s anyone on this blog that has come across convincing, thorough, extensive and well-designed studies which unequivocally supports that the vast majority of hysterectomy patients are happy, short-term and long-term, please post such a study, because i’d like to be convinced — really.
i’ve always been a very introspective person by nature, but recently, i’ve been asking myself a lot, why this must be happening to me. in case you’re wondering, i am married, and don’t have kids. i have always been on the fence about having children. but now that that possibility may be taken away from me, i desperately want to have kids. so perhaps this is nature’s way of forcing me to make a decision. so right now, all my energy is focused on finding a wonderful doctor who is skilled at myomectomies, so i can have babies. in a way, i’m very glad that i am a woman of this era. i imagine, even about 30 years ago, women did not have the kind of resources we have today, or even the social acceptance to speak out so freely and loudly. i imagine they had to live silently and in shame, in a society that didn’t dare say words like “breasts” or “vagina” or “sex”, even if they were used in a medical context.
in reading so many peoples’ stories, i could feel their anguish, pain and suffering. and i think a site like this is VERY helpful in so many ways — not just to share information, but as therapy and as a coping tool. i shall visit it often, to share my thoughts, to gain more information, and to empathize with my fellow women.
thank you for reading.
The Gynecologists know they are causing a life altering degenerative disease which kills women by suicide or just tortures them. The Gynecologists also know they are amputating our sex organ/hysterectomy and castrating/oophorectomy us, they know! and it is our job to stop them from ruining women’s lives by deceit and committing “surgical violence against women”, legally. It is documented as well that hysterectomy/castration is a form of population control.
Feeling suicidal after being de-sexed and in pain is, in my opinion, a form of self-protection and inevitable after hysterectomy/castration mutilation.
My heart goes out to every one of the victims of hysterectomy/castration by deceit posting on this blog and your loved ones. I don’t know how to overcome the hollow experience and pain this treacherous deceitful operation has left me with. I just do whatever I can to continue on, sometimes feeling as though I am experiencing an out of body experience now.
Reach out to someone if you feel suicidal.
Anonymous said: “You can throw all the quotes out you want, in support of your own problems, but I am telling the truth. What you describe is a RISK.”
“I researched thoroughly beforehand and decided to go for it, uterus and both ovaries. I’m glad I did, because the pain of the endo wasn’t worth it.”
The quotes I quoted are the medical facts, not my problem or a RISK.
The problem is women (by the millions) are being coerced, tricked and assaulted into Hysterectomy and Castration by Predator OB/GYN’S. Don’t you care about millions of women being given incorrect medical information by deceit for profit by the gynecologist’s of this country?
Anonymous you were CASTRATED by having both your ovaries amputated. If a man had his testicles cut off, do you think his sex life would be better too?.
To the suicidal poster: A hysterctomy/oophorectomy is a BIG trauma to our bodies. You didn’t say if you just recently had the surgery. In any case, I second what another response to your post said, a good acupuncturist (they are usually also herbalists) can really help. I went to an herbalist and was given a regimen of supplements and herbs to help my body adapt to the changes and it really helped.
In response to my comment, somebody said: “Women who experienced uterine orgasm before the surgery will not experience it after the surgery, because the uterine contractions that occur during uterine orgasm cannot occur without a uterus. The loss of uterine orgasm will only be missed by women who experienced it before the surgery. Although a small number of hysterectomized women experience slight vaginal wall contractions, most women report a total loss of sexual feeling. Severing the blood supply to the uterus diminishes the blood flow in the pelvis and to the external genitalia, including the ovaries, vagina, labia, and clitoris, as well as the legs and feet. “
Well, no, my uterus no longer contracts with orgasm. That’s because I no longer have a uterus. Thank goodness. After an orgasm I used to be in pain with uterine contractions. Now I’m just happy. My vaginal walls contract plenty, thank you, and even continue for quite a while. My pelvic floor has plenty of blood supply for sexual activity. You can throw all the quotes out you want, in support of your own problems, but I am telling the truth. What you describe is a RISK. I took that risk and did well. Balance is telling people not only the horror stories but the good stuff too. The fact is if you’re really sick and there’s no other option, hysterectomy can be a good thing. I say so, as well as 3 other women in my family who had hysts and were happy afterward.
To blogger @ 10:53pm 9-29-08
You are not alone. I dare to say most, if not all the bloggers posting here have given this topic some thought. In my opinion, thoughts of suicide should be included as one of the identifiable ‘possible’ after-effects to having a hyst.
The trauma that the body is subjected to because of the removal of the vital female sex organs, should be a necessary topic of discussion, between the OB/GYN and the patient, before surgery. Currently it is not, and the subject is treated so lightly, and even suggestions by OB/GYNs that your health may actually be better after hyst. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We need to be told the truth about what the removal of one of our seven major endocrine glands/organs does to contribute to ENDOCRINE EXHAUSTION, post sex-organ surgery.
Our bodies are thrown into CHAOS when our major organs are removed, in hyst. Swallowing a pill, or hormone, is not the total solution. It may help in some small way, with some of the traumatic after effects. Perhaps your current dosage may need to be adjusted, or maybe your body is not tolerating your current medication well.
Please seek help from a ‘Classical Five Element Acupuncturist’ and Naturopathic Practitioner because they understand more clearly, the need to get the body back into balance. Nothing will be able to get your body functioning ‘normally’ again, once your sex organs have been removed. However, the most help I have received came from my ‘Classical Five Element Acupuncture’ treatments.
I have done much study and research on the topic of hyst, including internet research. I have found much beneficial information regarding nutritional supplements etc. which are useful, after these surgeries.
A large variety of Nutritional Supplements have helped me. I have posted many of these helpful hints in my earlier blogs to this site, and the other HERS blogs on this topic.
Respectfully, I suggest you read ALL the blog posts on the HERS website and then check out the suggested aids mentioned. I think you will find them helpful.
I know your possible concentration and short-term-memory difficulties may make this task seem huge. Please try it.
Also, lack of sleep may be one of the major traumas, short term and long term, after surgery. Try a few sips of red wine, before bed, instead of sleeing pills. Taken occasionally, (if it does not conflict with any current medication), may be help you to fall asleep.
Good Luck. I am here for you. I have been castrated and hysterectomized, and know how difficult the most simple tasks can be.
I need to talk about wanting to commit suicide after hysterectomy. I want to be dead now more than I want to live like this. I have never been suicidal before but this is horrible.
Just have a question? I am 4 years out today after having a TAH with severe complications. But, I was wondering my breasts are extremely sore and seem to get this way a few times a year, for a few weeks. To explain it the best they feel like they do when one is pregnant. Any suggestions?
Anonymous said:
“For me, having a hysterectomy greatly improved my quality of life.” and “I did NOT lose my sex drive. It’s higher than ever.”
Here is the correct medical information:
Physical sexual sensation is diminished or lost entirely because of the severing of nerves and the removal of the uterus. Women who experienced uterine orgasm before the surgery will not experience it after the surgery, because the uterine contractions that occur during uterine orgasm cannot occur without a uterus. The loss of uterine orgasm will only be missed by women who experienced it before the surgery. Although a small number of hysterectomized women experience slight vaginal wall contractions, most women report a total loss of sexual feeling. Severing the blood supply to the uterus diminishes the blood flow in the pelvis and to the external genitalia, including the ovaries, vagina, labia, and clitoris, as well as the legs and feet. One of the many functions of the uterus and the ovaries is cardiovascular protection. When the uterus is removed, women have a three-times greater incidence of heart disease. When the ovaries are removed, women have a seven-times greater incidence of heart disease.
A woman’s ovaries, her gonads, continue to produce hormones her entire lifetime. Oophorectomy (the surgical removal of the ovaries) is performed on about 75% of the women who undergo hysterectomy.
Patty,
Have you had an MRI of the pelvis? It is the only non-invasive was of determining if you have adenomyosis.
If you would like more information you can call HERS at 610.667.7757 to have information sent to you by email, or you can go to HERS web site at http://www.hersfoundation.org and click on “Contact”.
My name is Patty.
I left the message about cryo ablasion. I am scheduled to have this done in November.
I already have painful menstruation. He said that with the endometrium gone, the periods would lessen and the cramping may become less also. I was semi-diagnosed with adenomyosis (I say semi- because there is no definitive diagnosis without hysterectomy) after a laproscopy when I was 35 (I am now 40). The doctor that I had gone to then said that the only way to take care of it was by hysterectomy (he said I was done having children so I didn’t need it anyway!) But having bled excessively after my second two deliveries, I was afraid that there could have been something else causing the painful cramps (only on my left side) and the heavy bleeding. This new doctor said that it doesn’t matter if I have adenomyosis or not, he wanted to treat the symptoms and gave me these options- do nothing, cryoablasion, Mirena IUD, or a hysterectomy. So which is the best choice? I have already been putting up with the pain and excessive bleeding for almost 12 years. Has anyone had an endometrial ablasion that the side effects were better than the current symptoms? Thanks for the sounding board- my husband is no help- he just agrees with whatever the doctor says (he also agreed that I didn’t need it since I was done having children.)
To Science Gal, You have offended me and every woman who has written on the Hers Blog. I had my hysterectomy and castration 20 years ago. I was the most stable, sane and athletic person you would ever find. I could out work anyone. I have lost my career, my husband and a lot of my friends. You only have enough energy to save yourself. It is sad!
I only went in to see the OBGYN for hot flashes. He gave me premarin which made me bleed, although at the time I didn’t know the premarin was making me bleed. He was giving me a double dose which made me bleed even more (he was setting me up for surgery).
Everytime I went to see him he would mention the surgery, but I knew I didn’t want it. He finally said lets get rid of the bleeding, you will feel great and nothing will change. I didn’t know what the ovaries and cervix were for because he told me the ovaries were in my body ONLY to have babies. I just didn’t know enough about my body. I had no problems before my surgery, just hot flashes. And, the hot flashes continued after my surgery.
He should have told me about alternative surgeries, what exactly the ovaries did, how my sex life would change and what the cervix was for. He told me NOTHING!
I only wished I would have had the Hers Foundation to educate me. This is what we are trying to do. If you think we are all mentally unstable women that is your opinion. All I can say is please believe what we are saying. I have not read one article where they were trying to mislead another woman because I can associate with what every woman is saying.
We are devastated because we were not told about alternative surgeries or the harm that would happen to our bodies. There is nothing we can do to make our bodies better or make us feel better. The harm has been done and it is permanent.
We are telling our stories to warn other women what will happen to them if they have a hysterectomy along with being castrated. We have been lied to. This is why we are frustrated with OBGYN’S.
You can get a pap smear along with a check up from your regular doctor and not go to a OBGYN who does only surgeries.
When a man has his testicles removed they loose their desire for sex just like a woman does. They are also devastated that doctors don’t warn them of the harm removing testicles does to their bodies. Women’s bodies are alot more complicated then men’s, so the damage done to women is more harmful.
There is not one woman on this blog that want revenge. We just want to tell our stories, so future generations of girls don’t end up writing on this blog.
If you go ahead and have a hysterectomy and castration, we will be here to support you because you will need us and the Hers Foundation to continue your life the best way you know how. That is what we are all doing.
This surgery not only harms the woman, but her husband (because he now can tell sex isn’t the same and she doesn’t enjoy it anymore), her family, friends and career (because she is now so tired she has to just try to get through each day).
We don’t need to be called mentally unstable or crazy. This is what our doctors have done to us. We didn’t ask for our lives to end up like this. We all have our ways of surviving. ONE DAY AT A TIME!
For me, having a hysterectomy greatly improved my quality of life. I was very sick with endometriosis and the way I felt about those organs was, all they ever did was hurt me. They destroyed my career, I couldn’t keep a job, and sex was painful. I researched thoroughly beforehand and decided to go for it, uterus and both ovaries. I’m glad I did, because the pain of the endo wasn’t worth it.
However, I want to support what others have said too. Doctors will never tell you all the possible consequences of the surgery. No matter how well you research, you won’t know it all. So everything horrible that people are saying here, these are all risks of the surgery. They may NOT happen to you, but they MAY.
I did NOT lose my sex drive. It’s higher than ever. It’s been 20years since my hyst. I can get out of bed every day now, and I enjoy doing abdominal exercises without that uterus that was always contracting and hurting when I exercised. Sex is fun. The pain is gone. I was on estradiol until a year and a half ago, and without it I’m having some problems, mostly temper issues. I had to learn to walk away from an argument or conflict, because my anger erupts within me like a volcano, and I don’t want to inflict that on anybody. Better to walk away, and come back later after I’ve cooled off.
One thing nobody told me was about hair loss. Half my hair fell out after the surgery and I never really got it back. Afterwards, my mother told me her pubic hair was all gone after her hyst. She couldn’t take hormones so she stayed naked there the rest of her life. She didn’t tell me that beforehand and I had asked her to tell me everything, so I’d know what I was in for.
I want to offer some of what I’ve found to help. Find yourself a Chinese doctor, acupuncturist, herbalist. They know a lot about helping our symptoms. I’ve found Chinese herbs really help with the mood and other “menopausal” symptoms. I had the weight gain too. Couldn’t stop it no matter how I tried. This year I started doing “robotic” exercise, you might hear it called “toning tables.” You lie on these tables and they move and you resist. As exercise goes, it’s easy. See if you can find a place that has those toning tables. I wore a 3X a year ago, now I’m 2x on the bottom and 1X on top. I’m pretty impressed with them.
Cryo-ablation is a damaging surgery that scars by freeze-burning the endometrial lining of the uterus. Like ablations performed with heat, the risks of cryo-ablation are perforation of the uterus, bowel, and bladder and chronic, increasingly painful menstruation.
Have you been evaluated to determine the cause of the bleeding?
I posted once before stating that the doctor that I was seeing suggested a hysterectomy. I was only 35, and very skeptical, so I never did anything. My symptoms were increasing from what the doctor has deemed adenomyosis from an earlier doctor puncturing a hole in the uterus doing a tubal ligation. I was glad to find this website that basically confirmed what I thought were just common sense things that could go wrong, and I thank you for that!
Since then I found a doctor that specializes in alternatives to hysterectomy. He gave me another idea to think about. He would like me to try to lesson the symptoms with a cryo-ablation (basically an endometrial ablasion using cold instead of heat- done in the office.) Has anyone had this done? I have not found any sites that list any kind of adverse reactions to this type of procedure.
I also have a question about tubal ligations- has anyone had problems with unexplained weight gain and stomach bloating after a tubal?
Thanks for any info that you can give me. I wanted to make a decision before the holidays come.
The best thing ‘Sciencegirl’ can do, is to consent to the hysterectomy (which she indicated she may need in the future).
We have tried reasoning with her, reaching out to her and trying to help her to make a more ‘informed’ decision re hysterectomy.
It is only someone who has experienced hysterectomy and the removal of both ovaries etc. who could really begin to identify with the bloggers here.
Unfortunately, she will be only too happy to return to this site when she finds out too late, after surgery, that she too, has been lied to, deceived, and experiencing a living nightmare.
She does not appear to be the type who could admit she made a ‘mistake’ when she finds out the truth, post surgery. So I predict she will need more than ever, the ‘shelter’ of the very anonyminity this site offers, at that time.
That is not the ending we want for her, however, if she insists she wants to discard the opinions and information of those who underwent the surgery, that is FULLY her choice. Our consciences are clear and we have tried our best to help her.
It is my opinion she came to this blog with an agenda, perhaps trying to keep the Gynecologists happy and in business, who knows?
Prostrate removed, his penis shortened, and castrated.! That is the definition of what they are doing to women with a total hysterectomy with ovary removal, without the woman’s informed consent.
That is why we are here, to protect other women from sexual and physical mutilation by deceit. Hysterectomy/Castration by deceit is surgical violence against women, sexual mutilation and a….National Emergency-due to the epidemic numbers of women affected.
This heinous legal crime silenced by the medical profession is being broadcast to the world, and it should be. You are insane if you think women should not have this information and be mutilated by the millions by deceit.
To ScienceGirl:
You said:
What possible use could anyone in this forum have for my name? Unless you suspect I am someone “important” my name couldn’t have any possible consequnce. Unless of course you wanted your mentally unstable posters to find me and get “revenge” on me for not sharing their conspiracy theory delusions. Since I’m not going to volunteer for abuse at the hands of crazy people I think I’ll keep my real life name to myself thanks. Interesting how everyone else in this forum is afforded anonymity, but any dissentors must immediately announce their names…would you like my address too?? Maybe a phone number?? You have got to be kidding.
I agree 100%. I never give personal information about myself on-line. Ever.
And in a place like this, where paranoia and misandry abounds and people are suggesting ridiculous things like: Maybe your husband should have his prostrate removed, his penis shortened, and get castrated and then sex would be more fun for him too!
there is clearly a lack of balance and I wholeheartely support your decision to protect your identity.
Thank you for standing up for balance, reason, common sense –and for yourself!!
LJ~
To science…girl,
Although you asked for my “given name” and I gave it, you seem to feel threatened by giving your name: “What possible use could anyone in this forum have for my name?” It would be professional to identify yourself, particularly when voicing dissent and accusations. Otherwise your statements appear to be baseless hyperbole.
The following comment made by you indicates that your accusations of a conspiracy theory are a projection of your own feelings rather than an analysis of the motives of others: “Unless of course you wanted your mentally unstable posters to find me and get “revenge” on me for not sharing their conspiracy theory delusions. Since I’m not going to volunteer for abuse at the hands of crazy people I think I’ll keep my real life name to myself thanks. ”
You accuse regular posters of never learning “logical thought”. This, too, seems to be a projection of your failure to understand and employ logic. What could be more logical than not being able to experience uterine orgasm after the uterus is amputated and removed from a woman’s body?
Like a child who has not gotten their way, you say you’re going to take your marbles and go home. HERS is open to all discussion and debate. We have never asked anyone to leave the blog or to stop posting their views.
You mean the nice clean hospital where two years ago I acquired “klebsiella pneumonia”, a hospital born infection after the trick operation hysterectomy.
In the hospital that wheeled me out of the back door while I was saying over and over, “something is wrong”, “something is wrong”, “I shouldn’t be leaving the hospital”.
The hospital where the head gynecologist told me on the phone the “klebsiella pneumonia/hospital born infection”, was caused by my sexual partners or my partners, partners.
Hysterectomy/Castration by deceit is the standard of care to date in 2008, it is a rampant epidemic.
Women who are lied to do not chose to go in and have their sex organs amputated by deceit. Women are lied to about their conditions, their female organs, the procedures available and the extent of permanent damage caused by sexual organ amputation.
I was still discussing the surgery when the anesthetist ran anesthesia into the IV that was incorrectly placed in my hand, after he said, “do you want something to calm you down”. I was trying to flee, but they knocked me out!
The first thing the ob/gyn said to me after the de-sexing by deceit was, “all of your internal organs and intestines looked withered and discolored”. That didn’t stop Gynecologist, Dr. William Bradford, Lancaster, PA., nothing did. I asked, Dr. William Bradford, Lancaster, PA, to just remove the tumor he had scared me into thinking was cancer. He shook his head “no” “gravely”, like I was in grave danger. I was in grave danger being in the pre-op room with a predator ob/gyn, in hyper-thyroid storm, with a visible 2 1/2″ nodule on my neck (thyroid). He nor both anesthetists told me was connected to my ovaries.
Sounds ethical and clean, doesn’t it?
To All Medical Doctors: Please do not “sacrifice” over a million more women in the next two years before you sign the Hers Foundation “Petition” to end un-consented hysterectomy/castration. You can not save the reputation of generations of gynecologists, it is not possible when the truth is revealed.
To poster Sept 21 3:28pm:
A quote from a book does not constitute “proof” of anything. I can write a “non-fiction” book about ghosts…but this doesn’t make the information in the book true..nor proof ghosts exist. The fact that you don’tunderstand this makes any attempts on my part to use logic in an arguement in this forum pretty pointless…logic will not prevail. Enjoy your ghosts, aliens from outerspace and conspiracy theories.
To “HERS” foundation:
What possible use could anyone in this forum have for my name? Unless you suspect I am someone “important” my name couldn’t have any possible consequnce. Unless of course you wanted your mentally unstable posters to find me and get “revenge” on me for not sharing their conspiracy theory delusions. Since I’m not going to volunteer for abuse at the hands of crazy people I think I’ll keep my real life name to myself thanks. Interesting how everyone else in this forum is afforded anonymity, but any dissentors must immediately announce their names…would you like my address too?? Maybe a phone number?? You have got to be kidding. I have given enough personal info in this forum already. Its all true (who the hell would make up such a ridiculous education??), if I wanted to lie I would have made myself out to be some sort of expert. But as I’ve said to the other poster, it is pointless to keep trying to convince your regular posters of anything when they never learned logical thought. One even mentioned Oprah, like you can believe everything you see on Oprah…*sigh*. Enjoy your forum, I’ll go find one where I can get useful, true information.
Sciencegirl
“science”…”girl”,
What’s in a name? It is often one’s identity.
You asked for my “given” name, it is Nora Weisberg, now Nora Weisberg Coffey, and I’m president of the HERS Foundation. HERS is not an alias, it is the login on HERS blog, so it’s the name blogger automatically identifies with my comments, since I opt not to be anonymous. This is not my personal blog, it is the blog of the organization. The posts are written by myself and Rick Schweikert, HERS Program Director and resident writer. I’m asking you again, if you stand behind what you sa,y please use your name not an alias.
The women who post anonymously on the blog do so to protect their identity because they have suffered medical abuse and some of them may be pursuing legal remedy. There are also women who don’t use their names because it gives them the freedom to tell the most personal, intimate details of their post-hysterectomy experiences. Most people are accustomed to keeping the intimate details of their sex lives and details of their bodily functions such as bowel and bladder, cognitive loss, and changes in personalitiy to themselves, most people do not discuss these issues with strangers. These women have courageously come forward and written on this blog and elsewhere about their loss of sexual feeling and the impact of the loss on themselves and their partners. They also talked about other major changes that significantly diminish their ability to function.
They do this to educate the public, and to stop this from being done to another generation of girls and women. It is an act of bravery and courage.
In one of your comments referring to HERS video “Female Anatomy: the Functions of the Female Organs” you said “My objection to the video is that it is geared toward scaring women away from having a hysterectomy, not informing them of POSSIBLE complications and negative effects. According to the video all these complications are “common” and some are simply stated to occur..as if ALL women experienced ALL the complications. Most women watching this propaganda would assume they would be better off dying of cancer than going through with such a procedure.ng a hysterectomy, not informing them of POSSIBLE complications and negative effects. According to the video all these complications are “common” and some are simply stated to occur..as if ALL women experienced ALL the complications.”
You attributed motive to the producer of the video, the HERS Foundation, that is false. Since you have a little educational background in science your should know your statement is unscientific, it is merely conjecture.
HERS motive in producing the video is to provide women with the information that is not being given to them by gynecologists, the so-called experts in their field. You’re advocating protectionism because you believe that information will scare women into making medical decisions that you believe are wrong.
Women are capable of deciding what they will and will not allow to be done to their bodies when they are provided with the information that is requisite to informed consent. They do not need others to pick and choose which information that they believe women should be given. Every woman has a right to know what the female organs are, where they are located in their body, what their functions of the organs are, and the consequences of their surgical removal.
You seem intent on depriving women of the information required for them to decide if they will choose to undergo hysterectomy and/or castration it might scare them and they may decide not to undergo a hysterectomy or castration.
There are things that we should all be scared by because they are dangerous and they may ruin your life.
The great aim of education is not knowledge but action. …Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903)
Sciencegirl said “My favorite claims include the assertion that your spine will collapse and that you won’t be able to have a “uterine orgasm”!!! Unless you get osteoporosis from lack of hormones there is no way your spine will collapse or your ribs shift from removing abdominal organs of any kind! And don’t worry too much about those “uterine orgasms” thay don’t exist. The uterine orgasm is a myth, just like the g-spot. How are you going to help women make “informed” decisions using that nasty little piece of propaganda?! I’ve seen scientific studies on loss of libido after hysterectomy and they give mixed results at best. The only one with a large enough sample size has found that women have better sex over all after a hysterectomy.”
If my spine didn’t collapse, then why did I develop a crease 1-½” above my navel all across my stomach within a year or so of my surgery? This is not a “fat” crease as I don’t have any fat above my navel. And a DEXA scan proved I don’t have osteoporosis (not yet anyway).
As far as uterine orgasms, they are NOT a myth. Either you don’t have them or you don’t realize they’re contractions of your uterus. I DID have them and, of course, do not any longer since I don’t have a uterus. I had deep abdominal orgasms before my surgery that I did not realize were contractions of my uterus since my doctor did NOT tell me. And clitoral orgasms are a HUGE disappointment in comparison (not to mention the fact that it’s harder to even reach orgasm, if at all, after being stripped of my organs by deceit).
As far as loss of libido, I don’t know of one woman I’ve met online who didn’t lose her libido after having her ovaries removed. And only having the uterus removed oftentimes causes loss of libido as well.
If you think all these problems are in our heads, then why don’t you have this surgery and prove us wrong?
Here’s proof of how these ob/gyns collude to protect their revenues from hysterectomies:
In 1994, an ob/gyn renowned for performing uterine-sparing procedures wrote of attending a seminar on medical economics: “The topic was how to care for women in order to maximise our fee. The experts who led the discussion reminded us that gynaecologists make the most money by doing surgery and that the highest fee we can generate come from hysterectomy. With that in mind, we were urged to ‘cultivate’ our patients carefully. Initially care would require advice on contraception. Then, in the normal course of events, we would supervise their pregnancies and deliver their babies. Once a patient had completed her family, we were advised to plant the idea that she might some day need a hysterectomy. The culmination of our years of care would be the hysterectomy. With proper planning, our advisers suggested, each year of practice would produce a lucrative ‘crop’ of women ripe for hysterectomy.26
26. West, ibid., pp. 28-29
I would just like to add something to what is being said. I understand about being castrated by the doctors against our will but what I am more concerned about is someone telling the truth about the quality of life after having a hysterectomy. I had a myomectomy first to remove two large fibroids from uterus. That eased my symptoms for 3 years (no more heavy bleeding,hard cramps,insomnia, night sweas). Then the symptoms started again and worse this time. I felt I had no other option than the hysterectomy. My GYN was pushing the surgery and my family was pushing to find another way. Both were not helping at all. I went to another GYN who explained all of the alternatives to me and gave me pamphlets of all the alternatives. The alternatives offered nothing permanent to the symptoms I was facing and I felt like I was losing ground quickly with the symptoms taking a toll on me. I had the surgery and they took one ovary because they stated that it was completely covered by cysts. I thought the bad physical symptoms were over but they had only just begun. I now have extreme fatigue (worse than before the surgery), really bad mood swings, I feel like I am a stranger in my own body because my outgoing personality has changed, and other host of symptoms that did not exist before the surgery. I am but a shell of my former self. I have prayed and worked hard to recover some of my former lifestyle but with great difficulty. It has been three years since the surgery and I can safely say if I had felt there was a better alternative out there besides surgery I would have chosen it. I am now a 38 year old woman who feels like I should retire because I am so tired. Please someone document the truth about life after a hysterectomy of any kind.
Bonnie I couldn’t have put it better myself. I’m anti hysterectomy. It should be a life saver operation only.
Sciencegirl is not a pathologist. I just wonder what they must think when day in day out they look at normal ovaries and uterii that have been cut from women for them to discect and analyse. Their job must be so disheartneing.
HERS Foundation, your work is commendable and you must derive a good deal of satisfaction in knowing that you have saved a woman from the devastating effects of hysterectomy/castration when a doctor tells a woman that is her only option.
Science girl, your work is commendable and you must derive a good deal of satisfaction in knowing that you have saved a woman from the devastating effects of invasive cervical cancer.
Conversely you must also be delighted when no pathology is found and that the woman is cancer free.
Sciencegirl. The term “instant menopause” is very misleading since a woman without ovaries cannot go through menopause. What a woman experiences without ovaries are the symptoms from the decline in their health from loss of ovarian function. The damage that is done to a woman’s physical health is not “done all at once”, but starts when the ovaries are amputated. Because of the damage, it can cause severe hot flashes and night sweats, far worse than an intact woman going through menopause, and this can go on for 20-30 years or more. Since it increases a woman’s risk for heart attacks, osteoporosis and dementia at a much higher rate than an intact woman, it does not just simply happen all at once. It is permanent damage to a woman’s body and takes away her health and well being immediately, and more so over time. You could call it the gift that keeps on giving.
WoW!
That is a perfect description of the status quo.
Anyone who would try to encourage women to continue exposing themselves to this ‘hysterectomy’ scam and danger, should be ashamed of themselves, be they doctor or otherwise.
Sciencegirl, to fully understand how hysterectomy/castration is done for profit, you would first have to know how long each procedure takes and what the pay is for each. Hysterectomy/castration is the cash cow for gynecologists. It takes the least amount of time to perform, and pays the highest. To remove an ovarian cyst takes a lot longer to shell out of the ovary and it pays about one-quarter as much. Same with fibroids. Basically, he would have to remove 4 ovarian cysts in your lifetime (and spend a lot more time) to make the same money as one hysterectomy/castration. Given the fact that you might not stay with the same doctor your whole life, his chances of making money off so many cysts and fibroids becomes slim. It’s not as if women generally have so many of these reoccurring growths that it would be worth their while.
In one of your other posts, you make “unnecessary hysterectomy” sound like it’s just a bad hair cut. What does “unnecessary hysterectomy” actually mean? The definition of “unnecessary” is: “not necessary or essential; needless; unessential.” The definition for “hysterectomy” most commonly used is: “the removal of the uterus”. From the definitions, we can conclude that it describes “a needless removal of the uterus”. Is that an accurate description? That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
I don’t believe that the words “unnecessary hysterectomy” together or separately accurately describe the purposeful extensive physical and emotional damage that is done to a woman when it is performed without medical basis. First, in order to get a woman who does not need surgery into a surgical room, a doctor would have to tell her something that was not true. The doctor would have to purposefully make her believe that something was wrong with her to the extent that she would submit to a major surgery. That would constitute fraud. After that she signs a consent form stating that she has been given all the information about this surgery, including alternatives, risks and side effects. How would an average woman know if she was informed of all the pertinent information? Regardless, she is then put under anesthesia where she has no control over what is done to her. At that time, a doctor cuts her open and proceeds to cut all her ligaments, arteries, nerves and other organs that attach to her uterus and cervix while removing them and sewing her vagina into a closed pocket (as fully described above in a previous post).
Similarly, if a man gives a woman a date rape drug and rapes her, it is not referred to as “unnecessary sex.” Women do not go to the police and say that a man had unnecessary sex with me, and unnecessarily drugged me. If that was how rape was described, it is clear that it would never be acknowledged as a crime or be prosecuted. The similarity also exists in that because the woman is drugged or under anesthesia, she may not ever completely realize what was done to her.
It is important to distinguish the difference between something that is unnecessary, as opposed to an act that is purposely done under fraudulent circumstances with the knowledge that it will cause harm. If a woman was abducted on the street, knocked out, and woke up on the curb with all her sex organs missing, the public would be horrified and outraged. What if this was being done to millions of women? The police would have a task force devoted to finding the criminal and prosecuting him. However, that is basically what is happening to women in the United States every day at the hands of gynecologists. The difference is that it is done through a doctor’s office behind closed doors, and in a hospital where women assume they are safe. If a woman submits to surgery under fraudulent circumstances, and her internal organs are amputated and mutilated, what would an accurate statement be for that? If doctors who did this were accused of fraud, violence and mutilation, instead of unnecessary hysterectomy, it would shed light on the violence that is being committed and allow the criminal justice system to prosecute these cases just like any other violent crime.
The United States now acknowledges rape as a crime, but in many other countries the woman is still blamed for it. I believe that in the United States that most women are being blamed now for hysterectomy/castration, even though they were deceived and misled into a surgery room, and it was done to them while they were not conscious. If it is ever going to be stopped, we have to call it what it is. It is surgical violence against women. If a woman is raped, it creates emotional scars and sometimes physical damage that heals. When a women is violated surgically by a gynecologist, she is sexually mutilated and the her health and well-being are permanently taken away.
To poster Sept 20 2:11pm:
The term “instant menopause” is used to descibe the onset of menopause-like symptoms in women who have had their ovaries removed. As it suggests the symptoms all hit at once, and not gradually over time as they would in an intact women. It is perhaps jargon used in my field and may be misleading to most people, for that I apologize.
Enjoy your “humble, honest, loving and healthy lifestyle”, but don’t think it will save you from cancer. It may help support your immune system, but only a pap smear will help you if you contract cervical cancer. The Human Papilloma virus which causes cervical cancer is organic and all natural! You seem to be picturing me as some sort of drug-using, night-life enjoying, fast-living kind of person. I’m actually a vegan and amateur herbalist who enjoys yoga …but nice try.
You say:
“There is nothing better than common sense and wisdom. These two latter attributes are God given, not man made and can not be bought for a price.” Interesting way of telling me I have no common sense or wisdom. Common sense tells me there is no God. So I guess I’m out of luck with those attributes.
Sciencegirl
To poster of Spet 20, 1:59pm.
Enough with this “for profit” nonsnese. If I were an OB/GYN looking for profit my first choice would not be to remove your reproductive organs. I would be more likely to keep them intact so I could milk them for more cash. I have had an ovarian cyst removed and also a cervical polyp. Both of these are often reoccuring. So are fibroids. If I could perform numerous operations on the same woman throughout her lifetime I would make more money from each woman than I would from a TAH/BSO. Even if I botch the operation and you have bladder and bowel problems, you wil be getting treatment from a different specialist and I a out a patient. Even if I am a heartless, money-grubbing OB/GYN just looking to perform needless surgery for cash TAH/BSO would no be my first choice. It is illogical whne I could continue to perform operations on your intact organs and get paid over and over again, not to mention more fees if you get pregnant several times. Hysterectomizing a 24 year-old girl is not good for business!
Sciencegirl
I am a 45 year old woman. I had a complete hysterectomy at 40. It has been the WORST mistake of my life. Now that hindsight has happened I have read up on every hormone book possible I realize the birth control pill made me estrogen dominant and what I needed to cure me was natural progesterone. So I went ahead with the surgery because all I ever heard was women saying how wonderful they felt. The doctor kept saying it’s up to you to keep the ovaries or not and more women do better without them so I got a second and third opinion and the same thing. Even nurses tell women Oh you don’t want ovarian cancer so take it all out, well the chances of you getting that is so slim.So I listened to the medical field. I didn’t know this type of forum existed because I did not have a computer at the time but not even Oprah or anyone discusses this and if they did it’s a man’s opinion.
If she was close to menopause, I could see her feeling wonderful. I went from feeling terrific for 6 months and then all HELL broke loose so they kept upping my estrogen. I gained 35ILBS, suicidal depression, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue (no mystery there doctors it’s caused from hormonal imbalance duh), bad skin, aging skin and a feeling of going crazy. Your ovaries are your soul. They control so much of YOU. Never let them touch them. I have been to Mayo Clinic who gave me water pills, and antidepressants. That’s how misunderstood this is. The best hospital in the world? I am now going to a naturalpath to get bioidenticals in me to try and restore some balance. I beg any woman out there to heed my advice and look up estrogen dominance and see all the symptoms it causes and do everything to avoid this surgery. It took a vibrant young person and turned her into someone I don’t even know. But I will get her back if it’s the last thing I do and make this information come out because I have a very big mouth.
Dear Sciencegirl,
Your post on the 19th at 6:30pm does not indicate you have a grasp of what this HERS site is all about, or that you have read much of the scientific educational material presented here.
You appear to have an agenda.
After just reading your many educational qualifications listed above, it is amazing to me that you could still say, in your post on the 19th, quote:
‘Having any organ removed is traumatic, and yes having your ovaries removed will send you into instant menopause.’
Considering that the many medical and other information provided on this site makes it so clear that
1) surgically removing the female sex organs will dramatically change a woman’s life, and thus affect her family etc. for ever. Permanently, with no remedy, as the organs can not be replaced. Even if science advanced to the point of re-attaching a similar organ, it could not possibly be the same
and
2) menopause is something INTACT women experience having all their sex organs, and as a normal part of the life process. There is no such thing as surgical menopause after removing the female sex organs. And menopause is not what women experience after sex-organ surgery.
Post surgery, women suffer lifelong after-effects, well known in the medical industry, but which
effects are being hidden, misrepresented, lied about and
too often denied and ignored.
If you are in the scientific field of work, and you are unable to grasp the above-mentioned TRUTHS and FACTS, then I am so happy I have decided to have less and less to do with the ‘medical’ industry.
There are many nations and cultures that approach ‘health’ from a purely humanitarian and loving thy neighbor and using wisdom approach along with centuries of careful study and close observation of body functions. Acupuncture is just one such.
I personally have benefitted so much since embracing this less invasive, more natural and very healing approach to life. I do not get pap smears and can elaborate why, later.
If one lives a humble, honest, loving and healthy lifestyle, there is less to fear when it comes to contracting illnesses and cancer, to a large extent. My comments on this site reflect this and I make no apologies. I can not comment from a high, fast, and out-of-control-lifestyle as that is not my perspective. I acknowledge that those who comment from that angle, have valid viewpoints also, it is just not from my angle.
I have met many educated fools. I am not suggesting that you are one so please do not take that statement personally. It is not intended to be personal. There is nothing better than common sense and wisdom. These two latter attributes are God given, not man made and can not be bought for a price.
Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are three distinctly different things. You may have some knowledge, or a lot of knowledge about a particular subject. Many educated people have that. It is what you do with that knowledge that will benefit or hurt your fellow man/woman.
Please take a few minutes to think about this as none of this is written with any intent to put you down or insult you. Instead, I have your very best interest deeply embedded within my heart and soul.
Sciencegirl,
No self-respecting doctor would amputate a woman’s sex organs by deceit for profit, but we aren’t talking about self-respecting doctors here. We are talking about how sick it is that gynecologist doctors are lying to perform hysterectomy (sex organ amputation)/castration by deceit for profit. Not only that, we are talking about being tortured and repeatedly insulted after we were medically assaulted and deceived and had no cancer. One hysterectomy or hysterectomy/castration a minute every day in the U.S is out of hand. 22 Million Hysterectomized and Castrated Women Alive Today in the U.S, is an Epidemic and a National Emergency.
We are not talking about women refusing surgery for cancer, just the opposite. Woman are convinced by their gynecologist they are at a much higher risk of sexual organ cancer than they actually are. The general public is not aware of Gynecological Oncologists, and a gynecologist does not want to send their business elsewhere. Many gynecologist’s will use every and all deceit tactics available to them to cash in on amputating a woman’s sex organs by deceit. Women blindly trust the gynecologists who delivered their children and blindly fall for the “pap smear scare tactic ritual”.
If you truly are concerned about women who actually have cancer of the sexual organs, Sciencegirl; Study the statistics and numbers of how many of these de-sexing operations are performed for non-cancerous conditions, this is where you will find the outrageous unnecessary sex organ amputations by deceit. Sciencegirl (girl?) you don’t want millions of women at any age having a surgery for cancer when they don’t have cancer do you.? Read, “The Hysterectomy Hoax”, the book was written by a noted doctor. Then get back to us with your empty uneducated comments.
Thank you to the poster who quoted an article that uses actual citations. I can now look up some studies to see what I think of them. Be careful when you see studies quoted with only a brief description of results. I read one journal study saying that most women had improved sexual function after hysterectomy, but with a sample size of 27 women it was hardly a significant finding. I was disapointed that they used an article from 1981 as the only sexual function study, since hysterectomies are performed much differently now than they were in 1981, but it might still be a good example of the results of a TAH, I’ll have to look it up for myself.
I really couldn’t care less if you (now I’m talking to the bloggers who keep trying to insult me) think I am evil because I’m educated (y’know everyone with a degree joins a special club so we can screw over the general public), or you think I must be lying about my education because I don’t fit into your stereotype of an educated person. Really couldn’t matter less to me. If you really want to know, I have a BA in Anthropology with a chemistry minor, a Master of Science degree from England in Osteology, Paleopathology and Funerary Archaeology and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with a focus in Cytopathology. I also spent 3 years working on a PhD in Paleopathology which I never completed.
So as you can see I am overeducated. But not a doctor or medical professional…well technically I’m a medical professional, but really I look at slides all day, not patients. I work in a field dominated by women (no man is in any supervisory position in my department and only one is in lower management). The bulk of our work is screening pap smears and breast FNA’s to make sure women don’t have cancer. This may not be your view of a medical labotratory, but it is eh reality in mine. We take our work very seriously and are proud to be helping, in a very small way, to save women from cervical cancer.
But if these women boycott OB/GYN’s because of fear, they will never get a pap smear, and never get diagnosed early…they will die. If you get treated early, before the cancer is invasive, than the procedure involves a cone biopsy, or a LEEP which involves using various means (some sort of hot wire if ai rememeber correctly) to cut away the bad cells while leaving the cervix intact. The doctors we interned with always stressed the importance of preserving fertility in young women, too many cone biopsies can make the cervix weak. I don’t work with any OB/GYN’s in my lab, our doctors are Cytopathologists, they look at slides just like we do. Our diagnosis is sent in a report to the OB/GYN’s who decide how to procede in the individual patient’s case, or at least how they would like to procede, since the ultimate decision belongs to the patient. We often hear abut the “standard” treatment for patients with various diagnoses, and this changes all the time. Since HPV is most prevalent in very young women they are most of our positive cases. They usually present with atypical cells or a low-grade HPV infection. A diagnosis of atypical cells usually results in an HPV test, to determine whether the patient has a “high-grade” form of HPV or a “low-grade” form. The high grade form is much more likely to progress to cervical cancer…still, most women clear these infections and have normal subsequent pap smears. Some doctors will order biopsies, others “wait and see”. I ran a low-grade for 5 years once and my OB/GYN didn’t do anything but watch the infection. However when I moved to England and had a low-grade (during this 5 years) the treatment was to send me for immediate colposcopy (teh microscope they shove up you and soemtimes take biopsies with). I got to see my cervix on a screen which was cool, but they didn’t even take a biopsy. As you see even at this level there are differences in treatment. England also was still doing Pap smears with wooden spatulas instead of plastic brushes…I bled so much I scared the nurse, there was blood on my shoes and they were 5 feet away! Luckily we are slightly more advanced in medicine in the US, but it still is the ART of medicine, not the science…they use science when they can, but they are still guessing much of the time. Do tehy seem arrogant to you?? Can you imagine going to work and knowing any mistake you make could kill someone?? Not blow the big merger or lose money for the company, or even get you fired, KILL SOMEONE. That’s a lot of pressure. If I screen your pap smear and miss a full blown cancer (very rare) and call the slide normal and you don’t get a pap smear for years after that…theoretically you could die, and I’d have that on my head. Scary isn’t it? They ask us in cytology school if we can deal with that kind of stress. But doctors deal with that on a grand scale every day. So of course they seem arrogant, if they don’t believe they are pracitcally gods they can’t get through the day. I’m not saying there aren’t bad doctors out there, and I’m not saying that over-use of hysterectomy isn’t WAY out of hand. I’m just against this foolish Boycott and the idea that the OB/GYN’s are all out to get us.
It’s no true and it will scare women into not getting the Pap smear that may save her life.
Sciencegirl
This article was written by a group called: What Doctor’s Don’t Tell You.
Cover Story
Hysterectomy
Womb snatching
Besides cesarean, hysterectomy is the most likely operation you’ll face if you’re a women, even though up to 90 per cent could be unnecessary. Here’s how to avoid one.There is a joke among medical practitioners confronted with a woman suffering from gynecological problems. The diagnosis: she is suffering from CPU or Chronic Persistent Uterus. The solution: Hysterectomy.
In fact, hysterectomy, or more correctly female castration, is now one of the most widely applied surgeries for women, second in some countries only to the cesarean. In the US, a woman has a one in three chance of having her uterus removed by the age of 60. In Britain, her chances are only slightly better at one in five.
The majority of hysterectomies, nearly 75 per cent, are performed on pre menopausal women between the ages of 20 and 49. On the whole, endometrial cancer, invasive cervical cancer and uncontrollable post partum hemorrhage are the only medical indications for hysterectomy, but according to a recent survey these account for only around 10 per cent of hysterectomies (Hospital Episodes Statistics 1993-94, HMSO, London). This throws into question the appropriateness of the remaining 90 per cent, though within the medical profession this question has yet to be widely addressed.
Although hysterectomy has been practised for 100 years, virtually no strict criteria has been established to identify when it is appropriate and when it is not (Soc Sci Med, 1982; 16:811-24) The most often applied criteria is that the woman should have no desire to have any (or any more) children fuelling the idea that the uterus serves no useful purpose beyond its reproductive function. In fact, the uterus has hardly been studied separately from its role in childbirth, leading to the widely held belief that it is only good for two things growing babies and growing cancer.
It appears also that medical and social mindsets not disease determine who ends up on the operating table. For instance, male gynecologists do more hysterectomies than females (N E Jr Med, 1985, 313:1482). Black women are more likely to end up having a hysterectomy than white women 65 per cent as opposed to 28 per cent (Ob Gyn, 1993; 82:757-64).
Rates can vary between individual doctors in the same hospital. Within the US, rates vary enormously, according to geographical region, with women in the poorer areas of the South often public clinic patients claiming the highest hysterectomy rates in the country (see The Hysterectomy Hoax, Doubleday, New York, 1994).
Mistakes and money also play a part. In one study of hysterectomies for cervical cancer, an amazing 31 per cent were performed in spite of normal Pap smears and negative cervical examinations, and 5 per cent were due to a misreading of the pathology report (Ob Gyn, 1992, 79:485-9). A recent survey of American healthcare plans revealed that some 16 per cent of hysterectomies carried out under these plans were performed for inappropriate reasons (JAMA, 1993; 269: 2398-402).
This is because private health plans do not endorse, and consequently do not pay for, alternative treatments. Perhaps this is why one American doctor was moved to write, “more often the indications [for a hysterectomy] are a cooperative patient with a uterus and good health insurance” (New Eng J Med, 1993, 399: 276).
The most common stated reasons for performing an hysterectomy are: fibroids (30 per cent), endometriosis (20 per cent), vaginal prolapse (15 per cent) and endometrial hyperplasia, or abnormal growth of cells (6 per cent). Various other causes, such as excessive bleeding, pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and ovarian cysts account for the remaining 30 per cent (New Eng J Med, 1993, 328:856-60). But it is the contagious and largely unfounded fear of cancer which can lead surgeons to perform (and women to agree to) hysterectomies when they are simply not appropriate or on a just in case basis.
However a recent review of the subject concluded that “cancer prevention alone does not justify hysterectomy” (New Eng J Med, 1993, 856-60). For instance, less than 2 in 1000 fibroids turn into uterine cancer. Since the mortality rate for hysterectomy is 1 in 1000, the risk of dying from the operation is actually greater than the risk of cancer.
The best advice is to watch and wait (Ob Gyn, 1992, 79:481-4). Some doctors say that large fibroids make it impossible for them to detect ovarian cancer during pelvic examinations. But this goes against reported experience in 75 per cent of cases, the disease is only detected after it has spread beyond the confines of the ovary (New Eng J Med, 1985, 312: 415-9). At any rate, ultrasound has proved to be an effective means of evaluation of the ovary (Br J Ob Gyn, 1990, 97:304-11). And removal of one organ to detect the possible, eventual cancer of another is simply not justified.
Endometrial hyperplasia can progress to cancer, though only in around 1-3 per cent of cases (Cancer, 1985; 56: 403-12). Even using the questionable tools offered by conventional medicine, treatment with progestins is highly effective, usually eliminating the risk within six months (although exposing you to the other cancer risks of HRT). Only after this, if hyperplasia is persistent should hysterectomy be considered. Endometrial cancer is most prevalent in women between the ages of 50 and 70, hardly a justification for the widespread hysterectomy rate in younger women.
It has also been shown that “just in case” removal of the cervix does not eliminate the risk of cancer it merely shifts the risk to the vaginal epithelium (its outer layer). Since the cervix plays a major role in sexual stimulation and orgasm, it should not be removed without proper indication (Jr Rep Med, 1993, 38:781-90). A newer surgical technique sub total hysterectomy preserves the cervix and some part of the uterus.
The short and long term complications and side effect of hysterectomy are becoming more well known, though there has yet to be any widely accepted definition of what constitutes “major” or “serious” complaints after hysterectomy (Am J Ob Gyn, 1992, 144:841-8). These can vary according to the route of the operation from 24 per cent for vaginal hysterectomy to 43 per cent for abdominal hysterectomy (Am Jr Ob Gyn, 1982; 144: 841-8). Infection, fever, and urinary retention are the most common post operative problems. The risk of a fatal blood clot in the lung rises after hysterectomy 1 in 5,700 particularly in women over 50 (Br Jr Ob Gyn, 1994; 101:468-70). Women who have had a hysterectomy are more likely to suffer from constipation and bowel problems such as IBS (Pulse, Aug 14, 1993). Figures from the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists estimate that as many as 3 out of every 10,000 women die as a result of surgery, and serious complications can arise in as many as 15 out of every 100 operations (WDDTY vol 4 no 12).
The vaginal route can fail if the size of the uterus is not properly diagnosed. If the uterus is 300-999 g the failure rate is 16 per cent; but only 5 per cent if is 100-299g (Ob Gyn, 1995, 86: 60-4). In these cases the surgeon will need to switch, mid surgery, to an abdominal route, increasing the probability of post surgical complications. The vaginal route also more than doubles the need for further unexpected surgery usually to repair trauma to bladder or bowel or to control hemorrhage (Am J Ob Gyn, 1982; 144: 841-8). Injury to the ureter is more common with the abdominal route (Am Jr Ob Gyn, 1992; 167: 756-7).
Urinary problems, such as incontinence, are well documented and can be the result of nerve damage to the bladder during the operation, due to that organ’s close proximity to the uterus (Br Jr Urol, 1989; 64: 594-9).
Between 33 and 46 per cent of women experience a decrease in sexual response after a hysterectomy and oopherectomy (ovaries removed) (Am Jr Ob Gyn, 1981; 140: 725-29). If the surgeon is not skilled in the technique of “worrelling” where the vagina is peeled carefully off the cervix and then restored to its original length, the vagina can end up substantially shortened, making intercourse almost impossible. Surgical skill can also influence morbidity for better or worse, for up to three months post operatively in relation to blood loss, length of hospital stay, the incidence of blood transfusion, and bladder dysfunction (Gyn Onc, 1993; 51:39-45).
There haven’t been enough studies done, but doctors have removed the sex organs of over 22 million women still alive in the United States. Care to guess why more studies haven’t been done? Accurate studies about sexual dysfunction would bring this business to an immediate stop. There are already enough other studies showing it increases a woman’s risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia, just to name a few.
Dear Sciencegirl,
Your latest post has no scientific facts, or scientific basis for your opinions.
Yet you still try to persuade us you have some scientific interest or background when giving your opinions?
Reveal who you are because you are embarrasing yourself.
If you are any sample of what the rest of us have to depend upon for ‘scientific’ professionalism in the medical field, God help us all!
It has been said many times on this site, and you still miss it. After hysterectomy, it is IMPOSSIBLE for a woman to experience menopause. There is no such thing as surgical menopause.
Menopause is something INTACT women,who still have their ovaries and sex organs experience, as a natural part of the life process.
The uterus in a woman is equivalent to the prostate gland in men. Below please find the possible complications given to men when they have a radical prostatectomy.
This is an example of what women are not told regarding a sex organ surgery (hysterectomy) compared to a man having a comparable sex organ surgery. Keep in mind that the operation below is not even discussing the removal of the mans testicles (Castration).
Possible Complications after radical prostatectomy
after radical prostatectomy only
Excessive bleeding
Surgical wound infection
Blood clots
Inability to control urinary stream (incontinence)
Fecal incontinence
Impotence
Retrograde ejaculation-Sperm ejaculates into your bladder, rather than out through the penis
This may cause the urine to appear milky white after ejaculation.
This would occur after TURP/TUIP. After open prostatectomy, patients are not able to ejaculate.
Sterility
Urethral stricture
Low blood sodium after large amounts of fluid are used to irrigate the bladder during TURP/TUIP
This can cause confusion, dizziness, high blood pressure, vomiting, and disturbed vision
Urine leak requiring prolonged drainage (with a catheter or drain) or reoperation
Injury to the rectum or other adjacent structures
This is a complication .
Ref: by, Deanna M. Neff, MPH
What personal or monetary interest could I possibly have. As a woman who may end up having a hysterectomy I have been looking for information concerning possible side effects from the procedure and, of course, other alternatives depending on my diagnosis.
In all things I weigh the evidence before making decisions about things. Some women say they lose all interest in sex while others claim sex after a hysterectomy is better for them. Obviously I can not make a decision based on other women’s personal experience alone, since these experiences vary too widely to be of any use to me.
My objection to the video is that it is geared toward scaring women away from having a hysterectomy, not informing them of POSSIBLE complications and negative effects. According to the video all these complications are “common” and some are simply stated to occur..as if ALL women experienced ALL the complications. Most women watching this propaganda would assume they would be better off dying of cancer than going through with such a procedure. Having any organ removed is traumatic, and yes having your ovaries removed will send you into instant menopause. It is true that post-menopausal ovaries still produce hormones, but very little and to varying degrees depending on the woman.
My mother’s best friend had a hysterectomy last year and said it was “nothing”, should I assume because her experience was easy that ALL women have an easy time with it?? Or should I assume that it is one POSSIBLE outcome among many?
Whether it messes up some of their endocrine functions or not, some women need hysterectomies to save their lives if they have cancer. This video would make them think they were choosing between death and lifelong misery. It is a LYING piece of propganda and no self-respecting doctor would ever show it to a patient. Try making an informative video without the hype and lies, and maybe you will accomplish your stated goal.
Sciencegirl
Anyone who can believe the statement that,
‘… Whether hysterectomy diminishes the intensity of orgasm in women is still under debate, there haven’t been enough studies done….’
is welcome to do so.
This blog is intended to shed light and not to bury our heads in the sand.
Only an idiot, and I do mean idiot, could believe that life, in any respect, could be ‘normal’ after hysterectomy.
Only someone with a personal or monetary interest in lying about this, and the whole ‘hysterectomy myth’ would be capable of making such an assinine statement.
Hmmm, as far as I can tell “HERS foundation” is not a given name, niether is “castrated”. As far as I can tell aliases are the norm. Even the lady who has her “2 ovaries, uterus and cervix removed at the tender age of 24, destroying her ENDOCRINE SYSTEM” uses an alias and is only recognizable because she keeps saying exactly the same thing no matter what the subject at hand is. Uterine contractions may occur during orgasm, but orgasm still occurs in the clitoris. Whether hysterectomy diminishes the intensity of orgasm in women is still under debate, there haven’t been enough studies done. There is no conclusive evidence that there is more than one type of orgasm. Personal experiences from individual women may serve as warnings of possible complications, but they are no substitute for an actual scientific study.
I have taken anatomy classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels and have dissected a human cadaver, so yes I understand the anatomy involved. Does education make me a bad person?? And I dare say I understand sexual response in women, being a woman who engages in lots of very satisfying sex. You cited books to me, not scientific studies. Anyone can write a book, but scientific studies are scrutenized to make sure they adhere to the scientific method and are testable. I can get a book on astrology or ghosts, but it doesn’t mean either one actually exists.
Sciencegirl
To LJ
Ha Ha Ha! Thanks for giving me a great laugh today! Good Joke!
LJ, if you are having so much fun, why are you here? It kind of speaks for itself.
LJ, Maybe your husband should have his prostrate removed, his penis shortened, and get castrated and then sex would be more fun for him too!
How long does it take for all these terrible things to happen? I had a hysterectomy 3 1/2 weeks ago and feel better than I have in years. Sex with my handsome husband is more fun than ever and now I’m really worried about when my world is going to come crashing down.
How much time do I have left?
LJ
ACOG = The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Please identify ‘ACOG’ for those among us who do not know what that is. Thanks.
It is ironic that the ACOG has a “Violence Against Women Home Page” when they are the perpetrators of the must heinous violent crime against women in this century.
At the bottom of the ACOG Hysterectomy Pamphlet, it has a Glossary. This is what it states about Menopause:
“Menopause: The process in a woman’s life when ovaries stop functioning and menstruation stops.”
This statement is false as it relates to ovaries. It is common medical knowledge that the ovaries function all of a woman’s life. Why would the ACOG state otherwise? Is it reasonable for a group of doctors educated and trained in women’s reproductive healthcare to make such a glaring error in their pamphlet, or would it be more probable that this misinformation was put there deliberately?
Sciencegirl: All OB/GYN’s know about uterine contractions during orgasm. In the ACOG’s Hysterectomy Pamphlet, it states: “Because the uterus has been removed, uterine contractions that may have been felt during orgasm will no longer occur.” The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are pro-hysterectomy, and they profit heavily from hysterectomy/castration, but THEY even contradict your silly statements.
To sciencegirl,
If you believe that there is merit to your accusations and claims surely you’re not afraid to identify yourself. You’re using an alias that gives the impression that you have expertise in science. It is apparent that you know nothing about female anatomy or female sexual response.
Furthermore, the primary issue is hysterectomy performed without informed consent, which is the same as unconsented. Information is requisite to informed consent. Although there are many other important issues, such as whether the majority of hysterectomies are medically unwarranted, the primary issue discussed on this blog is unconsented hysterectomy. Under all circumstances women must be given the information by a doctor who recommends hysterectomy before she is told to sign a consent form, regardless of the reason for the surgery.
If you would like to learn about the role of the uterus in sexual arousal and uterine orgasm there is no shortage of reading you can do to educate yourself. You might want to start your reading list with the well-known “Sexual Behavior in the Human Female”, published in 1953. Kinsey details the mechanism of the pulsating, rhythmic contractions of the uterus during orgasm. Kinsey’s work was followed a few years later by Masters and Johnson’s publication “Human Sexual Response”, published in 1966, which also details the phases of female sexual response which culminate in the rhythmic contractions of they uterus called uterine orgasm.
If you are interested in understanding how and why hysterectomy damages every woman, read the step-by-step description of hysterectomy and female castration in a textbook such as “Novak’s Textbook of Gyecology” or “Comprehensive Gynecology” by Mishell.
You should stop making false statements that may put some women in harms way, and educate yourself about the lifelong functions of the female organs and what happens to women when their female organs are removed.
male in mich.
To science girl. Some of what you assert is correct, that is scientific data to support that life after hysterectomy is good for the masses. If they claim 80 or 90 percent of hysterectomys lead to increased enjoyment and sex machine behavior by women they didn’t include my input. If you castrate a man he will have screwed up hormonal balance. If you castrate a women she will have screwed up hormonal balance. Drugs, vitamins, herbs can’t replace what is lost naturally by the body. Instead you should concentrate on effects to the endocrine system. Any good Endocrinologist will agree that life can become more difficult once the critical organs are removed. While every individual situation is different, out and out lying or deception by OB/GYN’s is criminal. Most likely over 80 per cent of the hysterectomies performed are actually unnecessary such as what happened to my marriage. It is wonderful that the information on this site has most likely saved some from the deceptive butchering by so called “good OB/GYN” surgeons.
If I had the choice of keeping my organs, I would choose to do so.
The scare tactics being used by OB/GYNS is immoral and wrong. They do it because they have the legal right to do it and get rich doing it.
The Love of Money is the root of ALL (and this particular) evil.
Scientific studies too often have conflict of interest funding from drug companies and others.
Every day on TV I hear conflicting results from different scientific studies on just about everything.
I would sooner trust my common sense, which tells me that keeping my organs is better than losing them.
I suggest to ALL women, try to keep your organs and not let the OB/GYNs scare you into hasty, unnecessary surgery.
To Sept. 18 7:20 pm.
I never said sex would be better for everyone. I said the only study I could find with a decent sample size implied it was. Obviously more studies need to be done and invasive surgery like that should never be done except as a last resort, like cancer. But not all women are horrible maimed or have their sex life ruined. This web site lies, just like the OB/GYN who told you you needed surgery. Telling all women they need a hysterectomy is wrong, but telling women NONE of them need one is just as bad.
Sciencegirl
Dear Sciencegirl,
We all know people like you. You will have us believe that when our 2 Ovaries, uterus and cervix are removed, and our vagina sewn into a closed pocket, that sex is better than ever, our ENDOCRINE SYSTEM picks up momentum and really begins to fire, and we become walking sex machines!
Yeah, right!
I remember when I had my Ovarian cyst at age 24 the OB/GYN used the ‘cancer scare’ tactic with me. These OB/GYNs are well practiced at this ruse.
Now that I know that cancer may be prevented and can be cured, it hurts me all the more to know that these lying OB/GYNs can continue to use this scare tactic on people today and get away with it legally.
I remember trembling uncontrollably from fear of dying at age 24 when being told that each day I delayed having the surgery, there was no guarantee I would not get cancer in those organs. That was the reason I agreed to have my ovaries, uterus and cervix removed. That has proven to be a lie, therefore I do not consider that I gave ‘informed consent’.
There was no known family history of cancer in these organs in my family. Quite the contrary, my Mother had about 10 siblings, and my Mother had three children and no cancer before she died.
Now that I reflect on what my life has been like the last 36 years without my 2 Ovaries, uterus and cervix, I would have preferred to have died under the surgery, and never woke, than to have lived with the awful, day to day grappling with something much worse than any ovarian cyst ever was.
My OB/GYN said I would feel better. I never have,not for one day since my surgery. I have felt much worse every day since my surgery, with no diagnosis from any OB/GYN or doctor.
How can these scientific experts expect anyone’s body to function normally without these organs, which form a MAJOR part of our ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?
These OB/GYNs are liars. They have lied to me. That is the truth from my own experience. I can’t speak for anyone else. I just know they lied to me, and I will never stop warning others that they do lie.
The “informational” video on this website has no basis in science. It makes claims it doesn’t back up and no scientific studies are cited. It is all hype and scare tactics. While it is true that way too many medically unnecessary hysterectomies are being performed in this country, using lies and misinformation to scare women into NOT seeking medical treatment is abominable and the makers of the video should be ashamed of themselves. My favorite claims include the assertion that your spine will collapse and that you won’t be able to have a “uterine orgasm”!!! Unless you get osteoporosis from lack of hormones there is no way your spine will collapse or your ribs shift from removing abdominal organs of any kind! And don’t worry too much about those “uterine orgasms” thay don’t exist. The uterine orgasm is a myth, just like the g-spot. How are you going to help women make “informed” decisions using that nasty little piece of propaganda?! I’ve seen scientific studies on loss of libido after hysterectomy and they give mixed results at best. The only one with a large enough sample size has found that women have better sex over all after a hysterectomy. Try looking up ACTUAL studies published in ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS! You can find these in University libraries, most will let anyone in. Do no trust the information on this site or any other without making sure you’ve seen the scientific literature. For that matter, don’t believe me, find out for yourself!!!!
Signed, Sciencegirl
To the woman who is still intact and asking for information.
Always remember there is a loop-hole in the current consent form for all female sex/reproductive organ surgeries. The loop-hole allows a gynecologist surgeon clearance to amputate any or all of your female organs at will for profit. If I still had my female organs (sigh) and knew what I know now. I would have never had surgery without an attorney having revised the consent form (No Hysterectomy or Castration written and signed by the surgeon and you and the lawyer and keep a copy in a safe place) prior to any surgery by a gynecologist surgeon.
To the poster who is in so much pain. I’m sorry you are going through so much. Please do not agree to a hysterectomy. Please call the HERS Foundation to get the correct information about your condition and options. It will make you feel a lot better when you are informed and not scared into surgery. HERS Foundation 1-888-750-4377.
ok – i did not read the blogs or comments of other people. I'm to FREAKED OUT right now!!!!
my Dr told me today that my best solution was a hyster. but leave the ovars. in!! I'M SCARED TO DEATH NOW!!!
I was fine untill seeing the video that starts this website!!!
I have had so much pain since the last 2 surgeries & now the Dr says that she has a policy about pain meds and can't help me anymore unless I go to a pain management clinic to deal with my cronic pain until I can have the hysterectomy. She says that they will probably inject my preivious incisions with steroids & some kind of "aine" – lidocaine or whatever – untill I can afford to have the Hyster.
I can't keep living like this!!!!
I'm really ready to just give in & lay down to DIE !!!!
I thought that having a woman GYN would help but she doesn't seem to be interested, in a way. Then again, I feel funny stating that because she spent 30 mins talking this out with me, & she has a HUGE & POPULAR practice!!
I am very confused!!! I am VERY SCARED!!! I AM VERY READY TO QUIT LIFE BECAUSE I'M IN SO MUCH PAIN & IT HAS COME TO THE POINT THAT MY DR.s THINK THAT I AM JUST WANTING DRUGS!!!!!! THIS IS MY 2ND DR. The first one left practice about 6 months after the first invasive surgery!!! and left me in complete LIMBO & with few records!!
Now this new Dr is giving me Doubts!! I am starting to think that I'm CRAZY!!! BUT
I HATE TAKING PILLS !!!!!!!!!!!!
I HATE ASKING FOR PILLS!!!!!!!!!
I HATE FEELING LIKE I'M BEING CUT IN HALF EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY!!!
I WANT TO BE A WHOLE WOMAN AGAIN!!!
If that means having a Hyster. or not I don't care but I am scared!!! I feel uninformed & mistreated right now & I don't know if it is my Dr or this web-site that has given me the creeps!!!!
I am going to pray & PRAY HARDER!!!
That seems the only way to get REAL ANSWERS to my FRIGHT!!!
THANX FOR HAVING A PLACE TO VENT!!!
GIZMO-PEPPER'S MOMMY
I would be interested in knowing if there are any government or privately sponsored hospital/clinic information or support groups available in any area in the USA for hysterectomy. There are none that I am aware of in my area.
One of the largest US hospital chains has several hospitals in my area and none appear to offer outpatient hysterectomy support groups or information. Why?
My area hospital has a Women’s Health Resource Center which offers information on Stress, Preventing Heart Attack and Stroke, Diabetes, and Domestic Violence only. No mention of hysterectomy.
The same area hospital offers support groups for those experiencing infertility, breast cancer, Parkinson’s disease or need helpful information before or after breastfeeding. No mention of hysterectomy. Why?
The more I learn about the medical industry’s attitude toward hysterectomy, the more I am convinced that they, as a whole, have a hidden agenda.
Surely when one-third of the US female population 60-years and older have had their female sex-organs removed, you would think hospitals might want to offer support groups or Women’s Resources to these women and their families??? Hello!
I wonder if they might be worried that having a gathering of hysterectomized females exchange their personal information and getting correct information on the subject (not necessarily from the hospital itself) might be bad for their ‘hysterectomy business’?
I’d say that could be a very good reason for them to make sure they do not offer any such ‘support’.
36 years of hindsight 20/20 vision, post surgery
I see no reason why 1) Complete Endocrine System Exhaustion and 2) lack of co-ordination on many levels, cognitive difficulties, general weakness, including muscle weakness etc. should not be considered as possible (or even predictable) post-surgery consequences to being castrated and hysterectomized at age 24.
Also, since Estrogen is needed by the body to produce Collagen, and Collagen affects your skin, bones, teeth, muscles etc. etc. why would these OB/GYNs or regular doctors not tell their post female sex organ surgery patients that they MAY expect to experience difficulties in these areas?
For 36 years of my life, I have continually been lied to by my OB/GYNs and doctors I have consulted. They have tried to convince me that my health issues, post surgery were not related to my surgery. Health issues which only began after my surgery. I have had no other surgery and no other major illness which could be used as a possible explanation.
I lived a happy, ‘normal’ and productive life, supporting myself financially before my surgery at age 24.
Now, 36 years later, with no relief from any of my health issues which all started after my surgery, these lying OB/GYNs just keep on lying, and removing female sex-organs from teenagers and young women especially, using deceit.
I will be happy to spend the rest of my life dedicated to this task of stopping them. Please sign the HERS Petition and encourage others to do so also, that at the very least, patients will be mandated to view the HERS DVD before signing a consent form for these surgeries.
Yes, BOYCOTT these lying OB/GYNs!
If it was men, there’d be a lot of suicides and dead doctors.
This is the worst possible crime that has ever been committed against humanity, and secretly so.
What if 22 Million Men had their prostate gland amputated by deceit, and almost the entire country turned their back and laughed and did nothing to stop it?
What if one man was castrated by deceit by a medical doctor?
I’m glad you found a gynecologist to preserve your sex organs. Good for you! You must have had to go through a lot of lying gynecologists to find a good one. I’m so sorry for your mother. What these hacks do to women is horrendous. Thanks for posting your good story and let us know how you are doing!
I have been bleeding 24/7 for over a year, I have a doctor that practices alternatives to hysterectomy, I have had ultrasounds by him. mine are fibroids and in February of next year I will get them all taken care of without the suffering of a hysterectomy. I have taken my mother inlaw in to have her bladder put back up inside her and a sling put on to hold it so it does not fall out of her vagina. how miserable she was. I have no intention of having this or any other problem that is caused by hysterectomy. and all the other gyno, said I need a hysterectomy to get rid of these. not true.
If there is even one OB/GYN practicing who does not know that surgically removing one or both Ovaries will have a DEVASTATING effect upon their female patient’s ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, then they should not be allowed to practice medicine. They should have their license taken away. That is too elementary a biological fact, to be debating that issue.
The fact that you may not know ALL the effects to the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM of removing both Ovaries, does not alter the fact that the 7 ENDOCRINE GLANDS/ORGANS need each other to maintain balance and harmony and for the body to perform very basic, and very complicated body functions, using ALL 7 Major Endocrine Glands/Organs.
Doctors and OB/GYNs should have their license taken away, and never be allowed to practice medicine ever again, if they have a patient sign a consent form to remove one or both Ovaries, and have not, IN WRITING as well as VERBALLY had an exhaustive discussion with that patient about the known as well as the possible effects to the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM of removing one or both Ovaries.
Every single discussion a doctor or OB/GYN has ever had with me before or after my castration and hysterectomy, concerning my surgery and the after effects during the past 36 years, only revolved around singling out estrogen, as the ‘cure all’ hormone. They say things like …
‘Just make sure that you take your Premarin every day, and you should do OK’. This is sure proof that they are out of touch with reality, and should not be allowed to be lying like this to their patients. THAT IS A LIE and they all know it!
My opinion of these rotten eggs (no pun intended) could not be any lower. I have absolutely no use for them, based on my own personal experience with them, and the experience of so many unfortunate women who have had the misfortune to walk through the door of their office.
BOYCOTT the lying OB/GYNs!
I wouldn’t castrate them but remove their prostrate instead (in a surreal fantasy type world you understand). The result is much more devastating to a bloke…
I think that a person who has been the victim of medical abuse, would find it hard to trust the medical profession dealing with that particular speciality again. Therefore I can see the rationale behind a call for boycotting all Ob gyns.
I agree that doctors should face criminal prosecution if deliberate actual/grievous bodily harm is done. And they shouldn’t hide behind the pathetic excuse of ‘cancer’ either. Men aren’t treated like this and women shouldn’t be either.
To Anonymous who said ‘I screen pap smears.’
Thanks for sharing more about yourself. I am truly sorry to know you too have had some devastating issues to deal with in your life. Too many people seem to find themselves dealing with difficult issues.
I’m still hoping you can tell me how you think getting psychological help will assist my ENDOCRINE SYSTEM to function more normally, or normally, after having my two Ovaries removed at age 24.
A gynecologist who lies to a woman, deceives and manipulates her into surgery to amputate her sex organs with no medical basis should NOT be sued in a civil court where he can sit in his suit and the worst that happens is his insurance company doles out money. Instead, they should be prosecuted in a criminal court for assault, battery and sexual mutilation and face life in prison with mandatory castration.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
To Anonymous who posted on 2008-09-16 @ 06:41. You may read a lot and you may have been in a position to find another doctor. Some women have this done to them as an emergency procedure and don’t have time to get second opinions or shop around (like I described in my post below). The doctors you quit going to sound like nuts. This is, however, not the case with most of the women here. Many of us have gone to the same doctor for 20-25 years where trust was established. These doctors acted professional and honest until hysterectomy came up. A person who has NOT had this done to them, cannot even imagine the devastation and horror of finding out you were lied to and stripped of your sex organs for absolutely no reason. It is very difficult to bring a lawsuit, between finding a doctor to testify–to the medical malpractice caps. There was a lawsuit where a woman was told she had cancer, yet when the doctor opened her up, there was no sign of it. He did not do any tests, but just amputated all her organs. She did sue him, but lost the case because, unbelievably, the court found that it was within the standard of care. It is insane, but true. A lot of malpractice caps now are $250k and most attorneys spend at least 100k to bring the suit. After all the costs and attorney fees, there’s very little left so they only sue in very few cases. There was a nurse in CA who underwent a hysterectomy at her own hospital. The gynecologist mutilated her so badly and refused to treat her while she had feces filling up in her pelvic cavity for about a week. When other hospital staff finally stepped in, she was nearly dead. She is now disabled and can no longer work and her health is gone. Because she worked at the hospital, they had her sign an arbitration agreement. The most she could get was $250k. Her medical expenses alone were near double that. You might want to read about medical malpractice lawsuits and you will find that it is quite difficult. Gynecologists are well protected and usually have multiple defense attorneys and experts to persuade the jury. As for the spelling, it was ridiculous, but I thought you might appreciate it because you like to insult women who are speaking up and telling the truth. The trauma that a woman feels after this has been done to her is hard to describe. It is far worse than gang rape, and then there are people like you that make fun of it. It is devastating and causes PTSD, along with all the problems that emotionally and physically come from the barbaric surgery. There are not a few bad gynecologists, there are only a few good ones. I hope that you do not ever have to learn what we have. I think it’s very understandable that after this has been done to a woman, she would not want to ever deal with the medical profession again. I have run into a lot of very good doctors, but I prefer to stay away from them, and I would be very reluctant to ever go to the hospital again. If anyone needs psychiatric help, it is the gynecologists who do this to women.
To both commentors:
I am certainly not a doctor. I work in a lab but would not consider myself a "medical expert". I screen pap smears. The idea that medical people do not mispell words or make typos is laughable. Also I lived in England for 3 years and often confuse the different spellings. I suggested a psychologist and not a psychiatrist ver specifically, since I figured you would not want to be drugged.
I have had several surgeries, two gynecological (ovarian cyst, cervical polyp/D&C) and read a lot. I know there are bad doctors out there. It took me 2 years to find a GYN in the North Jersey area because the first one was not very good- he seemed to think oral contraceptives were best for all women at all times, and at 37 I want to stop taking hormones. I told him I didn't agree with him and left. I also had a gastroenterologist kind of feel me up once…performed a "brest exam" on one breast and no the other. May have been a mistake, I told him I'd already had one that year, but maybe he forgot…dount it though. I didn't report him because it was too vague, I just didn't go back. But I don't automatically distrust ALL medical professionals. I'd have been dead at 20 without emergency gallbladder surgery, so I'm willing to work through the bad ones. Anyone encountering malpractice should sue! It gets doctor's attention a lot faster than anything else. But boycotting the entire medical profession will do you more harm than good.
To Anonymous who posted the following at 2008-09-15 @16:16: “My honest opinion is that you are in serious need of counselling. Have you seen a psycholgist about your issues?”
I doubt you are from the medical industry because you cannot spell. You might not be the best judge of who needs psychological help when you misspell two words in one sentence, i.e., “counseling” and “psychologist”. Or were those just typos you made in your rush to avoid the facts and slander someone? If you believe you are such an authority on this subject, please identify yourself and stop hiding behind Anonymous.
Will the blogger, or better yet, someone from the medical industry, – that blogger demonstrates all the usual traits of being in the medical industry, you know, insulting, arrogant, misinformed etc. so perhaps they are ‘licensed’ to answer me – explain how counseling from someone within the same medical industry that CAUSED my medical problems, be able to assist me with my ENDOCRINE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS CREATED SPECIFICALLY BY removing both my Ovaries etc at the tender age of 24?
Removing my two Ovaries etc. without even discussing with me,before or after the surgery, that there WOULD be a PREDICTABLE, CERTAIN DEVASTATING IMPACT to my ENDOCRINE SYSTEM and its most basic of functions?
Many ‘Counselors’ hand out pills like the others do in their industry, just like you would hand candy to a child.
No thanks. I don’t need any drugs to dull my cognition.
My cognition is unable to function in the normal way, due to my surgery, however, make no mistake about my ability to understand my issues very, very clearly.
The fact that others may not understand my issues, is no reason for me to seek Counseling. In fact, it is my belief that unless you have undergone the same surgery that I have, at the same age, and endured the after effects for 36 years as I have, I do not expect that anyone could begin to understand my issues.
If others find help with Counseling, I think they are entitled to make that personal decision, and I have no comments to make about the choice of others on that issue.
By the way, making medical choices not to prolong my life under the care of untrustworthy, very questionable professionals,is a personal choice I feel I am entitled to make.
I guess you don’t believe anyone should be allowed to make such individual, medical choices … …
As I said, your attitude and comments sound so familiar of the medical industry psyche and midset.
Anonymous said
“My honest opinion is that you are in serious need of counseling. Have you seen psychologist about your issues? September 15, 2008 4:16pm” Counseling is suppose to help you mental state. Well lack of hormones effect your mental state. Having a hysterectomy affects every aspect of your physical and mental well being. “The person who said quality of life isn’t the same and death would be a relief for me”. I understand what she is talking about. We are all suffering in some form that could have been avoided if the truth was given to us before the surgery. The question is how we deal with this for the rest of our lives. Counseling? I think the GYN’s need the counseling. No, I think counseling for the quacks won’t help them. I have gotten my support from each other. I have found my help from everyone here and I am grateful. Very grateful.
Who’s being insulting. The woman says she wishes she had died and is obviously suffering from mental illness even if it was brought on my medical trauma. If you want to help her suggest a good psychologist! It’s great to be an activist and to help others, but she’s got to take care of herself first and she needs mental health counselling. How is that insulting. When I was raped I got counselling. Mental trauma needs to be treated…or are you boycotting all healthcare professionals?!
To Anonymous today who said
Quote
‘ … That is why they like to insult women who are suffering from hysterectomy/castration, it changes the subject and discredits the person who is telling the truth. …’
I know you meant to say … … and ATTEMPTS to discredit the person who is telling the truth.
You see, you can only actually ‘discredit’ something or someone if something is untrue or someone is being untruthful!
Everything else would have to be an ‘attempt’ to discredit.
The ‘attempt’ at insult by the blogger who made the degrading comments, has not been accomplished. The TRUTH prevails!
We are too enlightened to be seeking ‘counseling’. In fact, we are the counselors on this blog! That blogger has come to the right place for enlightenment!
THANK YOU HERS FOUNDATION for opening our eyes to the truth about castration and hysterectomy, and giving us victims a voice!
“Anonymous said…My honest opinion is that you are in serious need of counselling. Have you seen a psycholgist about your issues?”
Many women do not want the correct medical information to be public knowledge, too embarrassing. Most gynecologists don’t want the correct medical information to be public knowledge. That is why they like to insult women who are suffering from hysterectomy/castration, it changes the subject and discredits the person who is telling the truth. The subject is not going away, we are not going away, until all females in the U.S.A are safe from legal gynecological assault by deceit for profit.
Below is my Sunday blog comment which Dr. Bernstein finds too embarrasing to the medical industry, to publish on his blog site,’Bioethics Discussion Blog’
QUOTE:
For Dr B reference … ‘36 years post surgery suffering’
I am one of the victims of medically-unwarranted castration and hysterectomy surgery done to me at age 24 – for one, benign, ovarian cyst.
For the past 36 years since my castration/hysterectomy surgery, no doctor or OB/GYN I have ever consulted before or after the removal of both my ovaries, uterus and cervix, even once had a discussion with me about how the removal of both my ovaries would affect the functions of my ENDOCRINE SYSTEM. Not one!
My doctors and OB/GYNs continue to blame all the female-sex-organ-surgery-after-effects, on totally different causes for the past 36 years since my surgery.
Not one doctor suggested to me that any of my post surgery trauma was in any way related to my castration/hysterectomy surgery or what this has done to my ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
One of the seven MAJOR ENDOCRINE GLANDS/ORGANS has been surgically removed from my body and they do not discuss how this will affect my most essential, basic body functions?
I did not think to ask that question before surgery, and have not yet asked that question up till now. So, is it now MY FAULT??
Why would none of my medically trained consultants suggest this topic to me for discussion with them or even to look up the information? Am I not paying them for their medical advice and INFORMATION? Does this not qualify as medical direction and advice in the circumstances?
This could be a possible reason that post surgery female patients do not recognize or relate their health issues, post surgery, to their female-sex-organ surgery.
It is also the reason why most post-surgery patients have not yet found the HERS website or this blog, and posted their comments. They do not make the connection and are being diverted from making the connection, by the medical profession. My experience is living proof, as it has been 36 years and not a single word yet …. …
Doctors most often suggest ‘it is all in your head’. That is the most hackneyed phrase told to us victims, by our doctors and OB/GYNS, post surgery. They REFUSE to admit we can have life-altering after effects from these surgeries.
Because the female ovaries are one of the seven MAJOR ENDOCRINE GLANDS/ORGANS of the human body,
(namely: 1)Pineal gland 2)Pituitary gland 3)Thyroid gland 4)Thymus gland 5)Adrenal gland 6) Pancreas gland/organ and 7)Ovaries -or Testes in males),
how can OB/GYNs be allowed to recommend or go ahead and surgically remove a woman’s sex organs without having an EXTENSIVE discussion with her about the CERTAIN EFFECTS to her endocrine system as a result of removing any of her female sex organs, and especially both her Ovaries?
How can the medical profession continue to sit back, relax and allow this to take place, without their immediate, urgent intervention and concern to correct this injustice to the OB/GYN patients????
Since removing the uterus alone, would also affect the proper, normal functions of the ovaries, how can any honest, well intentioned OB/GYNs justify not having this ENDOCRINE SYSTEM discussion with all their prospective hysterectomy patients?
Since my surgery 36 years ago, I have experienced, and continue to experience most of the after-effect listed on the HERS ‘after-effects webpage. I am unable to support myself financially, due to extreme chronic fatigue in body, mind and spirit. Cognitive difficulties, slow and often difficult co-ordination for physical activities, walking, driving, learning etc. etc. The list is exhaustive, and only gets worse with age … ….
This is the perfect crime indeed. No see, no hear, no speak … …
36 years post surgery suffering
With reference Maurice Bernstein, MD’s blog-site titled ‘Bioethics Discussion blog’ mentioned in Mattie’s posting to this HERS site on Fri 9-12-08, below is his comment posted today, excluding the ‘commentary’ he attached to it:
QUOTE:
‘Toni wrote me that she was unable to get the following commentary published here which she wrote yesterday. I will post it below. However, as you have seen, there are a host of stories written here in the last few days of the horrors of hysterectomies and removal of the ovaries both from the symptom point of view but also from the view that unnecessary procedures are being carried out by surgeons and without fully and validly informed consent by the patient. I feel these stories are important to tell and are personally tragic but from a bioethics discussion aspect, formal discussion should consist more than personal stories, the points and issues that are made should be documented with facts and original resources where statistically significant studies have been performed either epidemiologic or pathophysiologic to support the writer’s points and issues. HERS provides an excellent activistic medium but for ethical discussion on a blog like this, we need facts. ..Maurice … …’ END QUOTE
I visited Dr. Bernstein’s blog yesterday (Sunday) morning. I submitted a second comment to his site yesterday because my first posting did not appear immediately after submitting it. Neither of my Sunday postings have yet appeared on his site.
Methinks Dr. Bernstein has been flooded with personal horror stories of what has been done to us castration and hysterectomy victims by his colleagues, the OB/GYNs!
Personal experiences do not matter to medical folks like Dr. Bernstein, so when he says, Quote, ‘I feel these stories are important to tell and are personally tragic …’ I suggest you take that with a huge grain of salt!
If my interpretation of Dr. Bernstein’s first above quote is accurate, he obviously expects ALL his bloggers who post their personal hysterectomy and castration experiences to his site, to include their certified copies of relevant medical data, pathology reports, medical letters and documents from their doctor and hospital and clinic etc., to satisfy his insistence on having ‘proof’ of such experiences.
If that is what he is saying, and it sounds that way based on the above, he is being absurd.
No surprise here, the medical industry is a closely knit clan. They set standards for you and I that they do not adhere to themselves.
I suspect my posts will not appear, ever.
And anyway, who wants to wait 24 hours and more for their submissions to be vetted, screened, pondered, scrutinized etc. etc. by Dr. Bernstein before they appear on his site anyway?
He is discouraging our input, though he pretends otherwise. Elementary, my dear Watson, so very elementary. No surprise here.
My honest opinion is that you are in serious need of counselling. Have you seen a psycholgist about your issues?
To Anonymous of Sept 14, 1:40PM
I believe you referred to some of my posts. It appears you may have only glanced briefly at a few recent posts to this blog and jumped right in, based on your recent comments.
I have made several posts on this site and explained at length, the details of my particular castration/hysterectomy circumstance. I, like so many other women who have posted to this blog, was not fully or accurately informed about the after effects of the castration and hysterectomy surgery done on me at age 24. Misinformation and lack of full disclosure by my OB/GYN BEFORE surgery, does not constitute ‘consent’ in my mind. I therefore consider my castration and hysterectomy done to me at age 24 to be ‘unwarranted’ and without consent from me.
I ended up on the operating table a few days after consulting with my OB/GYN because I was too young to know better and he used the hackneyed, usual ‘cancer’ scare on me. My Mother had died and my Father had his own health issues to deal with at that time and so I was vulnerable to all the scare tactics applied by my OB/GYN.
The pathology results proved negative after the ovarian cyst was removed. Also, I was persuaded by my OB/GYN to agree to have my second ovary, uterus and cervix removed, ‘just in case you do get cancer in any of those other organs later on in life. As each goes by, I can not give you a guarantee that you will not get cancer in those organs. If you keep those organs, you stand the chance of getting cancer later on …’.
Hindsight is 20/20 vision.
I was duped by my OB/GYN for profit to his own pocket!!!
My lack of any quality of life, since my surgery, compels me to warn every woman about my experience and the fact that I WISH THAT I HAD DIED AT THE TIME OF MY SURGERY, because of what I have experienced health-wise and in every other aspect of my life since my surgery. I speak from 36 years, post surgery hindsight!
Now that I know what I know, through my personal experience with castration and hysterectomy done to me at age 24, I would say to anyone who asked me, that I would have preferred death, to the life I have had to ‘endure’ since this surgery was done to me without justification or ‘consent’.
I would like to respectfully suggest to you that you read more extensively on this blog, and the other HERS blogs on this topic/website, before continuing to make your comments. Your recent comments reflect your lack of familiarity with the real issues on this blog.
And, by the way, I strongly suggest we BOYCOTT the lying OB/GYNs.
I have yet to meet one who has not lied to me. I no longer have any use for any OB/GYN because I have made the very personal decision to allow myself to die of any possible gynecological health issue I might develop in the future, rather than consult any of them. You see, my quality of life now, and ever since my surgery, is such, that death would be a relief for me, and a comforting place – when I consider the current alternative.
This is my honest opinion.
While the majority of FGM do happen in the homes of the families by non medical people involving ‘surgical’ instruments of a dubious and dangerous nature many girls are taken by wealthier parents to medically trained people (doctors) as was discovered by the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health Yemen study 2000.
Caroline Richmond is a medical writer and herself was the victim of a TAHBSO without the proper consent. She did try to get the surgeon prosecuted but this was dropped due to lack of evidence.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/308/6937/1163/a
It’s hard to fathom that this mutilation of women exists in such a large scale. But it happens.
To Anonymous regarding cervical cancer and now genital mutilation. You suggested that instead of boycotting OB/GYN’s, that we should boycott unnecessary hysterectomies. Could you please explain exactly how the women in the United States would go about boycotting them? How would you suggest that we get the word out to all the women in the United States so that could be done?
There is no question that genital mutilation is a barbaric and torturous procedure. However, if you compare that to what is done during a hysterectomy, there is little difference in the end result of the massive damage that is done to a woman. The uterus and cervix don’t just pop out like a pop tart out of a toaster. A hysterectomy is performed by transecting (to cut across; dissect transversely) the round ligaments, incising (to cut into) the anterior leaf of the broad ligament along the bladder, dissecting (to cut apart) the bladder off the lower uterine segment (displacing the bladder from its natural position and causing injury), severing the uterine arteries, transecting the uterosacral ligaments and cardinal ligaments, amputating the uterus and cervix, sewing up the vagina into a closed pocket (shortening the vagina), leaving said ligaments hanging in a women’s pelvic cavity (compromising pelvic support), leaving an empty hole for the bowel to shift down into (displacing the natural position of the bowel), severing all the nerves from the genital area to the internal sex organs and spine, and amputating ovaries which causes increased risk for heart attacks, osteoporosis, dementia, etc., and which causes sexual dysfunction. The damage that is done to the vagina when it is sewn into a pocket and shortened can cause a lifetime of severe pain, not to mention chronic lower abdominal pain, hip pain and the inability to orgasm or become aroused. It is at the very least as destructive and barbaric as genital mutilation minus the dirty knife and lack of anesthesia. This is also done to defenseless women in the United States while they under anesthesia. Please explain how hysterectomy and the damage it causes is so much more fun than genital mutilation?
The fact is that women do not have to consent to hysterectomy/castration to have it done to them. There are many cases where women are told they have a tumor in their uterus or a mass on their ovary and that it might be cancer. When a woman is told she might have cancer, it is justifiable for her to agree to surgery based on that premise. The woman is only agreeing to surgery because she is told she “might” have cancer. She is not agreeing to surgery for any other reason. However, when she wakes up she learns that she was given a hysterectomy, her cervix was removed and her ovaries were removed, she would assume cancer was found. However, she is soon told that no cancer was found. If you care to research it, you will find this to be true. Women also have been hysterectomized in emergency settings for ectopic pregnancies, ovarian torsion, and other minor problems that could be easily solved with minor surgery and preserve all the female organs. In a sick twisted world, you might describe that as consent, but it is hardly consent. You may personally know of the alternatives to hysterectomy, but all you have to do is read some popular message boards and you can see what women are really being told by their gynecologists.
Recently a women in her 50’s posted that was told she had an ovarian mass. She said that her doctor told her she needed a total hysterectomy. When she asked him why he couldn’t just remove the cyst, he told her that he would not go in just to remove a cyst and that she needed the hysterectomy. She was posting on a message board asking for opinions. The responses varied. Some told her she needed a second opinion, others told her that at her age, she should just get the hysterectomy and be done with it all because it was the best thing they ever did. This woman was actually afraid that she had cancer and the doctor just didn’t want to tell her since he was being so mysterious about why he wanted to perform the total hysterectomy.
In a lawsuit, a 22 year old woman was given an unnecessary hysterectomy when she was told she had endometriosis, but none was found in the pathology report. A doctor amputated her healthy organs without any justification. This is all too common.
This is done to women every day, behind closed doors. Most women do not get copies of their pathology reports so they never know the truth. Often when more educated women ask about myomectomy, they are told that it is not a good option because the fibroid will just grow back (which is completely untrue). Women are being deceived about this surgery by the masses. That is why one-third (1/3) of the population of women in the U.S. do not have their sex organs. That is why there are over 22 million women alive today who have been hysterectomized.
You could only know how this feels if it happened to you. You have stated that if a doctor told you were diagnosed with cancer, that you would have an immediate hysterectomy. Imagine thinking you had cancer, and went into have the hysterectomy done. You wake up relieved that you are rid of the cancer. Then you get a copy of your pathology report and there was no cancer found. Imagine what that shock might feel like. Then imagine trying to explain it to people, but no one believes you. They would tell you things like, well the doctor must have had a good reason (yet there wasn’t one). They would tell you it’s your fault because you consented to it (that’s ridiculous because you only consented on the basis that you had cancer). You are right, no one can operate on you without your permission, but that’s where the lines get blurred. You can agree to be operated on, that doesn’t mean you agree to have all your female organs removed unless there’s a very good reason, but you don’t get that choice when you are under anesthesia and unable to fend for yourself. And finally, you would be referred to as hysterical and nutty when you tried to protect other women from the same fate. No one would believe you. That is the reality of what is going on in the United States. I will again ask, if every doctor is only performing hysterectomy as a last resort, how are they managing to perform 650,000 every year, and 90% of those for benign conditions? For that to be true, you would have to believe that most women volunteer to have all their organs removed instead of just having a fibroid or ovarian cyst removed in a minor surgery. Any reasonable thinking person would find that ridiculous.
The fact is that gynecologists are paid far more to perform a hysterectomy which takes less time than a myomectomy or cystectomy. Myomectomy or cystectomy pay the doctor only about one-third of hysterectomy and it takes considerably longer.
We will never be able to end genital mutilation in other countries while women are being mutilated by the masses in the United States by OB/GYN’s who deceive women into this profitable surgery.
“medically more severe”?! What, like ounce per ounce?? Have you lost all sense of proportion? Are you actually saying that having your clitoris removed with a rusty knife and no anesthesia is better than a hysterectomy?! You have GOT to be kidding.
Hysterectomy/Castration genital mutilation by deceit, for profit in the U.S.A, is medically more severe, than the genital mutilation done to the women of Africa, Fact.
Why don’t you want the epidemic lie of hysterectomy/castration by deceit for profit to end?
To anonymous Sept 14th 11:46am
you said “I am a victim of their mutilation, which was done to me with no medical justification, at age 24” Surely some justification was given. You didn’t just show up at the hospital with no explanation of why you were there?! The doctor did mention a reason why he/she wanted to remove your uterus and ovaries?! You say you were lied to so I’m assuming the “reason” given for the surgery is what you consider a lie. No one would lie down for surgery without soem explaination of why they were having it!
To anonymous Sept 14, 1:40pm:
I cannot see boycotting OB/GYNs as a sensible solution considering you would be punishing yourself. If you were never diagnosed with cervical cancer you wouldn’t have to worry about hysterectomy, you’d be dead. Perhaps you could boycott unnecessary hysterectomies. Unless you have invasive cancer there are other options for most of the problems OB/GYNs like to solve with hysterectomy. There are at least 4 other treatments for fibroids, and even in the instance of cancer the patient has the option to have only the cancerous material removed and hope it hasn’t spread. No one can operate on you without your permission. Now obviously decades ago there was less information available to the public and many women were convinced they needed hysterectomies who didn’t.
The post claiming that hysterectomy was worse than female genital mutilation (also know as clitoridectomy and infibulation) was shocking in it’s lack of knowledge of anatomy and other cultures. It is not “African Jungle Women” who are being subjected to this form of mutilation and torture. The practice occurs in many African and Middle Eastern Cultures and is usually done to children who are defenseless and performed with the use of an unsterilized knife and no anesthesia. Please don’t compare that to the procedure you volunteered for as an adult, in a nice clean hospital!!
male in mich.
I just read some catch up posts and was surprised to read the one posted defending the medical profession. While medicine has it’s place in many forms of treatment I can tell the story of my wife. She was scared into thyroid surgery and then 3 years later she was told by her OB/GYN “yep that uterus has to come out”. “Oh the sex will be great”. What sex? She originally had no problems with her thyroid, under my protests she proceeded. There was a small nodule that “might” be cancer. Didn’t even try blood tests, just cut. In the span of 4 years her health spiraled downward. She see’s 2 different doctors that can’t help her with any of her symtoms. She is devoid of the capability of intimate feelings. She has basically given up on our over 30 year marriage. Did I mention, when they found out she had insurance they couldn’t schedule the surgery’s soon enough. Many doctors are probably well meaning. Good OB/GYN’s are hard to come by, especially those who care for their patients after treatments. As a man married to a hysterectomized woman my advice to the men, don’t let them do it to your wife unless you know what the long term complications are. Men just ask yourself, what will I feel like after they “castrate” me. Will I desire a loving sexual relationship with my wife. Removing the connections in the endocrine system usually leads to various health issues life long, some more severe than others. But in the long run never good for life longevity.
I can not recommend too strongly that anyone contemplating hysterectomy, obtain from their OB/GYN, IN WRITING what that OB/GYN thinks the upsides are, and what the downsides are, to the particular type of hysterectomy surgery under consideration by that patient.
Having this in writing is not likely to offer any legal or any other protection whatever to the patient, in my opinion.
My only reason for suggesting this is that AFTER the surgery, when the female patient begins to experience the after-effects from this devastating surgery, the patient will at least have something to prove what they were told and what they were NOT told, prior to this surgery.
Maybe then, some of their medical colleagues will begin to believe us.
That way, these patients, after the surgery will be better able to prove the OB/GYN lies. The legal lies these OB/GYN are licenced to tell their patients.
It is understandably very difficult for any reasonable, sane and fair-minded person to believe that these Gynecologists are lying through their teeth to their patients.
If it had not happened to me, I would find it very difficult to believe and would seriously question the intent and motive of the accusing patient.
After all, our doctors and OB/GYNs on occasions provide character references for some of their patients, don’t they? So why would we think they would lie to us in their consultation room?
I think some OB/GYNs may sometimes be called upon by the legal system to give their professional opinion as evidence in court, etc. in some civil or criminal cases. This suggests they are considered reputable and honest, I suppose.
I certainly trusted my OB/GYN, and he deliberatly, knowingly and intentionally betrayed that sacred trust.
The fact that I am in shock (or, if you wish to use the word ‘hysterical’, that’s your choice) now that I know the truth, should be no surprise to anyone.
Why all the surprise when we, reasonable, sane, intelligent victims begin to expose the lies in this Gynecological area of medicine?
These OB/GYNs can now label us, their post surgery victims, as ‘unstable’, irrational, unreasonable, etc. etc… and they will be believed…
After, all, they have a licence to lie, a white coat to prove their ‘professional status’ and full legal protection and immunity under our judicial system.
Where are our rights, as their victims?
To Anonymous regarding cervical cancer. I think the definition of tunnel vision would be more fitting for a person who can only see one facet of this subject (to continue the status quo). Sure, based on cervical cancer alone, should we just let gynecologists amputate the sex organs of 1/3 of the population of women in the United States and ignore the fact that the major percentage of operations are being performed on women with benign conditions where less-invasive alternatives are available? If your story about your gynecologist is correct, and if you believe the majority of them act in the same manner, then please explain how over a half a million hysterectomies are performed every year on women with benign conditions? Please explain how there could be over 22 million women alive today without a uterus if this surgery was being used only as the last resort?
I think that it might make any woman hysterical to be lied to and deceived into having her sex organs removed, only to find out after the fact, there was no medical basis for it. As Mattie said, there’s no worse insult than being hysterectomized and castrated. Losing one’s ability to become aroused, have an orgasm, have increased risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, etc., is difficult to live with. The real people who need a mental health counselor are gynecologists who do this to unsuspecting women.
I notice that you completely ignored the questions I asked you in my last post. If you don’t agree with boycotting, how would you suggest that unnecessary hysterectomy be stopped?
HERS will be running to congress to stop gynecologists from de-sexing women for profit by deceit by having a law passed to stop the perpetration.
2 % of the women in the country is a lot less than are now suffering after being hysterectomized and castrated by deceit. Hystererectomy/Castration fuels the medical industry by deceit. You should know that if you are reading the statistics of how many of these hysterectomy/castration operations are performed, every year for benign conditions. If the ob/gyn doctors and others in the medical field (who’s job’s count on the testing of women for female sex organ disease) want to regain any credibility, they will need to stop the many proven predators among them who are meeting these astronomical benign quota’s every year.
BTW, I can’t be insulted any more than I already have been by hysterectomy/castration by deceit. So don’t bother!
I guess there are those who may visit this website who believe that the bloggers here telling their horror stories of how they were lied to, and deceived by their OB/GYNs, may think that we victims are among a minority of uneducated, ignorant females who jumped into surgery because we did not bother to check out the facts.
NO! NO! and NO again!
We are educated, intelligent, trusting females who consulted with our OB/GYNs when we became sick, vulnerable and in need of medical care. We are just like you, and whether educated and/or intelligent or not, we are ALL entitled to be told the medical truth from our OB/GYNs, and so are you!
We are no different to those who, even today, are seeking truthful, honest answers and advice from their OB/GYNs.
If the OB/GYNs, even TODAY, continue to hide the truth, and deny that the truthful medical facts revealed by this website and the HERS Foundation for so many years about the after-effects of hysterectomy, is any indication of what the average OB/GYN patient faces, you can begin to see the huge proportions of this dilema.
No matter how obvious the TRUTH is regarding the devastation to a woman when hysterectomy is performed…
no matter what FACTS are brought to the OB/GYN by their patient, to ask the opinion of their OB/GYN BEFORE their patient agrees to surgery…
these lying, purposefully deceitful OB/GYNs continue to lie to their patients, and deny the truth to their patient!
All for the love of money, because in the majority of cases, there is no other justification to be doing what they are doing to us.
That is why we are WARNING the intelligent, innocent, trusting patients today, (like we all are) who consult with their OB/GYNs for medical advice.
Be aware that these lying, licenced OB/GYN predators have the legal right to lie to you, the legal right to deceive you, and you have no legal right to defend yourself when this permanent surgery has been performed on you by these dishonest Ob/GYNs.
Every one of us thought we could trust our OB/GYN. I did. He looked honest, made eye contact with me as he spouted his lies and omitted to give me all the facts regarding this surgery. My OB/GYN had lots and lots and lots of wall hangings describing his vast training and qualifications etc. He was a family man, highly regarded by those in the medical field, and socially.
That still did not prevent him from lying to me and deceiving me!
These surgeries can not be reversed, and you have no legal rights after this has been done to you, no matter how much you begin to see the TRUTH, AFTER these surgeries have been done to you!
BEWARE of these LYING, DECEITFUL, MONEY-GREEDY PREDATORS, hiding as medical practitioners behind the licence of OB/GYN.
I am a victim of their mutilation, which was done to me with no medical justification, at age 24.
I was never informed of the short term or long term health hazards I would be exposed to, because of the removal of my two ovaries, uterus and cervix at the tender age of 24.
Yes, BOYCOTT these lying, deceitful OB/GYNs!
To Mattie:
You are right! You should avoid the OB/GYN and run straight to the mental health counselor! Yikes. No wonder the 19th century doctors treated women for “hysteria”! And to the post that pointed out that only a small percentage of hysterectomies are performed because of cervical cancer, I find you tunnel vision interesting. I was pointing out that boycotting all OB/GYN’s will be dangerous to your health since you would not be diagnosed with the disease. I personally am a bit more concerned with staying alive as long as possible than I am with making sureall my organs make it to the grave with me. I’m already missing tonsils and a gallbladder, and if I were diagosed with endometrial carcinoma you better believe I’ll have an immediate hysterectomy! However for other problems there are less drastic measures that can be taken. But if you have not been diagnosed by a specialist, ie an OB/GYN than you don’t have the information you need to make an informed decision and you may die in ignorance. By the way I work in the medical feild as a cytotechnologist. I read pap smears and other slides to diagnose various other forms of cancer. I’ve also looked at medical websites such as the Mayo Clinic and they mention less drastic treatments for conditions such as fibroids and also point out the emotional distress women may experience after a hysterectomy. These sites don’t make it sound like modern doctors think the only treatment for any condition is the removal of the uterus. When I went to the OB/GYN recently for excessive bleeding I brought up hysterectomy as a possiblity and the Doctor said “let’s back up here, that’s a treatment of last resort and we don’t even know what we are dealing with yet”. Not exactly the evil uterus-hungry ogre of an OB/GYN that one would expect after reading the posts on this site!
At Friday, September 12, 2008 4:00:00 PM, Maurice Bernstein, M.D. said…
“You know, I was looking back at my discussion with js md in January of this year and I think he was really stressing that we all should be considering what is the last part of the title of this thread “hysteria vs realism”. This thread has been saturated with the very uncomfortable experiences of a number of visitors. But, in fact, are we seeing and hearing the whole picture? How does one explain that there are no writers to this blog who have found hysterectomy with or without ovariectomy an effective but also benign therapeutic procedure? I mean effective in the sense that the pathologic process and symptoms have been successfully removed. I mean benign in the sense that the patient was not harmed or made symptomatic by the procedure. Where are those women? Is it because there are virtually none or is it because they are involved in other interests now and not concerned with a blog thread that is dealing with the hysterectomy issue and not interested to spend their time reading or writing on the subject? This is the problem with obtaining a statistical overview by just looking at the comments to a blog or website. I am not saying that the suffering of the individual writers here are not real but of all the hysterectomies performed how many are really unsuccessful or the patient is left injured for life? Could there be as the title of this thread suggests a possibility of more hysteria than realism regarding the outcome of hysterectomy? ..Maurice.
http://bioethicsdiscussion.blogspot.com/2008/01/use-vs-abuse-of-hysterectomy-hysteria.html
Gynecologists of America, please be informed your legal deceit ends here and now.! At present there are doctors who are seeing the destruction you are causing and the lies-You, Gynecologists of America, are inflicting upon innocent victims you see as patients. You Gynecologists of America are lying and doctors of America can prove it.
Hide your head in shame you predators because we are coming to get you! Coming (no pun intended) to Stop YOU, from your pleasurable mutilation of women for profit by deceit, Gynecologists of America.
Run and hide Gynecologists of America! You will be as embarrassed as We (the mutilated and de-sexed by hysterectomy/castration) Are!
You Gynecologists of America have done this to 22 Million Women alive today, not mentioning the women who have died because of your legal malice and sick demented mental disorder. You Gynecologists of America, must take the responsibility for your actions. It may be legal for you to shame us and de-sex us, you have done this legally to most. But, you have Not done hysterectomy/castration medically. You have been disgraced and this is your legacy, whether you like it or not, you are responsible.
The medical facts are at your heals. The Men of this country will stop you! Oh yes, the MEN of this country will STOP YOU! From de-sexing our females by deceit for profit. Gynecology is no longer the practice of the legal psychopathic. You Gynecologists of America have not got a leg to stand on, you are not giving women the correct medical information, that is a medical fact. And the time for you Gynecologists of America to take your medicine and state the truth is NOW. What you have done for over fifty years to the women, including me, is a sin and a moral disgrace and until now a legal medical assault.
You Gynecologists of America are a disgrace to humanity. Hysterectomy/Castration is a crime against Humanity. If you think the genital mutilation of the African jungle women is an atrocity, it does not compare to what you have medically done to us the masses of American women mutilated by the Gynecologists of America, by deceit for profit.
THE MEN AND WOMEN OF AMERICA WILL STOP YOU! RUN AND HIDE YOUR HEAD IN SHAME GYNECOLOGISTS OF AMERICA, THIS IS YOUR LIVING LEGACY! WE WOMEN ARE NOT IGNORANT, WE WERE TRICKED BY YOU, AND YOUR DECEIT ENDS NOW! YOUR REIGN OF TERROR ENDS NOW! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING ON THE INTERNET. YOU HAVE NO MEDICAL FACTS TO RIDE ON GYNECOLOGY, HOLD EM’ OR FOLD EM’ (NO PUN INTENDED)
To Anonymous who posted at 2008-09-13T11:25. Diagnosed cervical cancer consists of less than 1.8% (less than 2%) of the hysterectomy/castration operations that are performed by gynecologists per year, yet your post inaccurately makes it sound like an epidemic. That means out of the over 650,000 hysterectomies performed per year, less than 12,000 are performed because of cervical cancer. For the other over 500,000 women per year who do not have cancer, and who are given a hysterectomy with no medical basis, their risk for osteoporosis, heart attacks, dementia and osteoporosis increase significantly. Nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. When hysterectomy/castration is performed, it increases a woman’s risk for a heart attack and cardiovascular disease which is the number one killer of women in the United States.
Gynecologists have removed the sex organs of over one-third (1/3) of the women in the United States. There are currently over 22 million women in the U.S. who do not have female organs. That is NOT a mistake. That is NOT an oops. That is NOT a simple lapse in judgment. That is not done by a few bad OB/GYN’s. Gynecologists have significantly increased the statistic for female heart disease by performing so many unnecessary surgeries on women. Gynecologists will hysterically tell women they might have cancer even though there is no confirmed diagnosis of it. Once the woman is under anesthesia and there is no cancer found, the gynecologist proceeds to remove all her sex organs regardless. This is the standard of care in the United States. There is no other area of medicine where organs are removed when cancer is not present except female organs.
There are a few doctors who are courageous enough to speak out about the abuse of this surgery on women. Studies have shown that there is no medical justification for over 70% of the hysterectomies being performed every year. There are hundreds of articles on the internet showing the same facts, yet because this is a 17 billion dollar a year industry, OB/GYN’s will not give it up willingly. The educational medical information that is found on the HERS Foundation website is not easily found anywhere else. That is because as long as these doctors can keep the truth a secret, they will continue to make 17 billion dollars a year off of removing women’s sex organs.
If you don’t agree with boycotting OB/GYN’s, then what would you suggest be done to stop the abuse of hysterectomy/castration surgery? Doctors are deceiving women every day to get them under the knife. Most women don’t even realize they’ve been lied to. What would you suggest would be the answer to holding these doctors to a higher ethical standard? How would you go about stopping this abuse targeted at women before 1/2 the women in the United States do not have sex organs?
Oh yes, Boycott OB/GYN’s, that’ll show em. And when you die from undiagnosed cervical cancer you’ll have the last laugh! Look, medicine is an art as much as a science. Doctors are just people and they make mistakes, and yes some of them are incompetent or even evil. But most of them actually want to help you. This conspiracy theory mentality that all OB/GYNs are out to get women is getting out of hand. Cervical cancer used to be one of the major killers of women in the USA and now only kills a fraction of the anount is used to- mostly women who don’t get a pap smear. One person’s experience may be a warning, but only a scientific study can give you reliable information about the relative safety and side effects of a medical treatment or procedure. This web site would be of more use if there was more sharing of actual validated information and less hysterical conspiracy theory hype.
This is an excerpt from “The American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children” Published in 1899. Yes, you read that correctly, 1899. It clearly shows that in 1899, gynecologists knew very well that the uterus and ovaries were important organs. They felt it was a “higher order of ability and..a truer and nobler triumph of …art to save an organ…than to destroy.”
“Few in this age will oppose the statement that it requires a higher order of ability and is a truer and nobler triumph of our art to save an organ or part of an organ than it does to destroy it by sacrificial surgery.
In the early days of our Society and before its organization, reputations were made by such thorough removal of ovarian and uterine growths as to prevent forever any further exercise of function by these important organs. Now, thanks to a wiser and truer conservatism, the most skillful and conscientious operator is not only not ashamed of, but takes a just pride in, his ability to save instead of destroy. He removes by resection or enucleation the diseased portions of the ovary and tube, or by myomectomy removes the tumor from the uterus and saves the woman her sex and its glorious possibilities.”
This is clear evidence that the gynecologists are deceiving women and that they knew over a hundred years ago how to save the uterus and ovaries. This is no less than criminal behavior and they all should be prosecuted. Boycott OB/GYN’s.
DETECTIVES are investigating claims that a disgraced gynaecologist faked his own death to avoid possible prosecution for rape and sexual assault.
Rodney Ledward ? who fled to Ireland after 60 women claimed he assaulted them ? was said to have lost a battle with cancer in October last year.
But in recent months FOUR women, including alleged rape victim Vivien Theobald, say they have seen him. Police want to discover if Ledward faked his death ? like Reggie Perrin in the TV comedy which starred Leonard Rossiter.
Ledward, 62, was dubbed “The Butcher” after leaving up to 4,000 women physically and mentally scarred.
He botched ops and carried out unnecessary hysterectomies. Six men, whose wives died, asked for a police investigation.
Ledward worked at a hospital in Ashford, Kent, and a private practice in Folkestone. He was struck off the medical register in 1998.
But then came the sex assault allegations ? including one from a girl of 18 who says she was raped ? and he fled.
They get in trouble if they rape you, but if they amputate your sex organs for no reason, that’s okay.
A woman does research her condition and seeks the opinion of consultants. To do this several times is expensive and many simply don’t have the financial means for this. Women historically earn less than their better off male brethren.
A woman will discuss the options and may decide to trust the person who is performing the surgery. However once the anaesthetic is administered the woman is entirely in the hands of the surgeon. Many women, especially those over 40 electing for this procedure, will have their ovaries removed at the same time – often without consent. I have tried to research how many hysterectomies and oopherectomies are done with NED in the pathology, and the information is hard to obtain online without paying for it. However if I were a betting person I’d put my money on there being many.
It’s criminal, called assault and battery, to remove healthy body parts from a person. However the uterus and ovaries seem to be on a par with a body part as insignificant as an appendix. Certainly if someone was put through an appendectomy unnecessarily they would have legal grounds for assault and battery.
However the gynaecologist often uses emotive language to support their criminal actions. Phrases such as preventing ovarian, cervical, uterine cancer trip off the honey coated tongue. If this were a man being operated on – eg prevention of testicular cancer, prostate, penile there would be an outrage. However I could never envisage such a thing.
How to redress the issue is what is at the core of this blog. There is a petition. Sign it. There is a video. Watch it. There is your voice in condemnation. Use it.
To Anonymous who posted at 2008-09-11T17:12. You obviously didn’t do extensive research before you posted on this blog. A “hysterectomy” is not as simple as your “uterus being removed”, but that is what gynecologists would like you to believe, and clearly you have fallen for it too. The real truth is that a simple “hysterectomy” is performed by transecting (to cut across; dissect transversely) the round ligaments, incising (to cut into) the anterior leaf of the broad ligament along the bladder, dissecting (to cut apart) the bladder off the lower uterine segment (displacing the bladder from its natural position and causing injury), severing the uterine arteries, transecting the uterosacral ligaments and cardinal ligaments, amputating the uterus and cervix, sewing up the vagina into a closed pocket, leaving said ligaments hanging in a women’s pelvic cavity (compromising pelvic support), leaving an empty hole for the bowel to shift down into (displacing the natural position of the bowel), severing all the nerves from the genital area to the internal sex organs and spine.
It is actually quite simple to look up the word castration in the dictionary. Here is the definition:
cas·trate /ˈkæstreɪt/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation [kas-treyt] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -trat·ed, -trat·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. to remove the testes of; emasculate; geld.
2. to remove the ovaries of.
3. Psychology. to render impotent, literally or metaphorically, by psychological means, esp. by threatening a person’s masculinity or femininity.
4. to deprive of strength, power, or efficiency; weaken: Without those ten new submarines, our navy will be castrated.
Please note #2. As you can see, “castration” is not a word used for a dramatic effect, it is the accurate term for the removal of ovaries. No one would accuse someone of being dramatic if they referred to a castrated man as being castrated. Yet, doctors would have the uneducated believe that removing ovaries is nothing more than removing an egg sack. They would never want women to know that it is castration, and that it also very negatively impacts their endocrine system.
Anonymous, are you saying that it’s okay for doctors to lie to women to get them into surgery, and then proceed to amputate all their sex organs and castrate them without any medical justification because the women did not do more research?
The women who post on this blog are courageous and honest to speak out about how they’ve been de-sexed and mutilated. This is a humanitarian effort to stop this from happening to other women. This is a crime against humanity and more and more innocent unsuspecting women are being targeted every day. Afterall, the OB/GYN’s have a quota of over 600,000 hysterectomies per year. They are very clever in how they dupe women into this surgery. They’ve been doing it for over 50 years, and they’ve gotten to over 1/3 of the female population in the United States.
If anyone is whining, it is you. You come on a blog without any understanding of a subject and then complain and whine at women who are posting the truth, all the while bragging about how you research everything.
To Anonymous at 5:12 I agree is sounds negative and outrageous. I am sorry to tell you this but it is the truth. I feel putting on rose colored glasses like the doctors do wouldn’t help anyone. There are ethical standards that the doctor is suppose to tell there patience. GYN’s have violated our rights. We are victims of a violent crime. Have you looked up Castration, amputation? Have you done your research? I thought doctors where to do the research and tell the patience. Why would I do research when I am to trust the doctor. So the doctor failed at her job. How would you feel when you could have kept your uterus? I exchanged one problem for ten more that can never be fixed. My life as it was is gone. Let me ask you a question. Did you just stop by to say hi or is the doctor recommending a hysterectomy for you. Did you do your research? Let me know what you find. I have found this web page to be the most accurate and the most informative about hysterectomies. Good luck in your search.
We have been LIED to by Gynecologists. They are supposed to be trustworthy and the relationship between doctor and patient, is built on trust.
There was no internet in existence when I was told I needed my sex organ surgery several decades ago. Within days I was on the operating table, having been lured there by LIES!!!!
Our trust has been betrayed by the Gynecologists who have lied to us. We are WARNING others to be cautious.
Call it whyning if you wish. We call it WARNING OTHERS to be cautious about the LIES!!!
Don’t any of you research your condition before letting someone cut into you?? I always do extensive research into any condition I have been “diagnosed” with. Doctor’s are not gods, feel free to question their “authority”. On the other hand all this whiney “I’m a victim” crap is making me ill. Hysterectomy is a term that exactly describes the medical procedure of removal of teh uterus. “Castration”, “amputation” and other terms are obviously being used to dramatic effect. Do your research before agreeing to surgery, but stop making it sound like someone attacked you and ripped out your uterus!
Are these gynecologists insane?
About Versed, the first time It was used on me I had crying spells eight weeks after surgery. The second surgery I had crying spell up to fifteen days. No one has yet to tell me any side effect to the medicine. I have asked doctors but they are reluctant to tell me. I was told the crying spells were from Versed. Versed also works backwards. I was given Versed in the surgery room but I don’t remember much before surgery. I also don’t remember telling the doctor to take my cervix if that is what I did. That is what the doctor told me I did. I am not sure about any other side effects. I haven’t had much luck finding anything more about Versed.
To the blogger posting about Versed
How long, and how severe were the after effects on you, for the first and the second time this drug was used on you?
You do not need to be too specific. Months or years would be sufficient.
I found this off a web page to help explain it better than I can. Vaginal vault prolapse occurs when the upper portion of the vagina loses its normal shape and sags or drops down into the vaginal canal or outside of the vagina. It may occur alone or along with prolapse of the bladder (cystocele), urethra (urethrocele), rectum (rectocele), or small bowel (enterocele). Vaginal vault prolapse is usually caused by weakness of the pelvic and vaginal tissues and muscles. It happens most in women who have had their uterus removed (hysterectomy).
To Anonymous about Dr. Phil show. I didn’t see the show. If I have this right the anesthesia that there talking about is an amnesia drug, called Versed. It is the most common they use for surgeries and procedures. I would like to explain a few things. I am taking this off the top of my head but I have done some research on this. If you look up versed it will tell you that versed stops your brain from forming memories. It also relaxes you. Does not put you to sleep!!! This next is the one that bothers me. Versed also makes you answer commands. Example. Someone tells you to lift your arm you will do it. Now if you think that you can trust your doctors there shouldn’t be any harm in this. I don’t trust doctors!! So why don’t they want you to remember what are they are doing to you. So you don’t remember the pain, or the bad experience. I would rather know then not know. I feel you have no closure about what has happened to you. You are always in doubt. So what do they really do to you? Do they use it so they don’t have to administer any pain medicine? What about the Commands they give you? They can tell you to do WHATEVER they want you to do, which I find scary. I have had Versed used on me and no one has explain why they use it or the side effects to the medicine. The first time it was used on me was for the hysterectomy. The second time I was having the ureter tube fixed. I told the doctor that I refused any amnesia drug of any kind. Well guess what. They ignored my wishes. I should have put this on my consent form. I was so upset I called the doctor. He put the blame on the anesthesiologist. I talked with the anesthesiologist and he did apologies but they still ignored my right to refuse treatment. The anesthesiologist told me the side effect can last up to two weeks. Does this mean loss of memory up to two weeks? Rush hospital’s in Chicago’s web page says I have a right to refuse treatment and that right was violated. Now I am calling attorneys to see what I can do. One attorney told me they have that right to use it if they feel they need to. Well when is it ever needed to take away someone’s memory if they want to remember. It is my decision not the doctors. It is not like putting someone to sleep for surgery. The next attorney I talked with told me to make sure I have one of those armbands that list allergies. If they don’t do that then walk out of the hospital. This way it shouldn’t be used on me ever again. The next attorney told me it is a violation of ethics because the doctor is miss representing what the he is actually going to do. If you really want to know more about this insane drug that should never be used on a human being, check out the Versed blogs that are out there. It will scare you. Another reason not to trust doctors.
What is a vaginal vault prolapse?
Anesthetic and possible relationship to memory loss.
It was interesting watching the Dr. Phil show today which included his usual 5-Doctor panel, and Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Lisa Masterson.
They discussed the severe memory loss being experienced by one of the Show’s female participants who appeared via video clips. The video clip Mother told of recently giving birth to twins. (I am not referring to female Show Guest Tammy, who is left demeaning notes around the house, by her husband, Paul, mentioned in the online summary of today’s Show). The video clip participant Mother of twins is not mentioned directly in the online overview of today’s Dr. Phil show.
What was striking to me regarding the comments made on today’s Show (9-9-08), was that not one of the doctors on the show asked the Mother of twins whether surgery was involved in the birth of her twins and whether she was given any Anesthetic.
This would seem to be a necessary, PRIMARY question to be asked by anyone giving this Mother medical advice and direction. Don’t you think???
A previous female blogger on this website,(perhaps a month or more ago) has mentioned having a very similar type, memory-loss experience, after receiving a named Anesthetic she was given, for surgery. She names the Anesthetic in her blog post.
I have personally known Mothers who have had a similar memory-loss experience, along with cognitive difficulties, after giving birth. They have told me their doctor said the memory-loss issues were related to a particular Anesthetic given to them during the birthing procedure.
Is this an ‘Anesthetic epidemic’ problem the medical profession are hiding to protect themselves and their pockets? Ching! Ching!
We all know that hormone issues may affect memory function, nevertheless, it was VERY INTERESTING NO MENTION OF THIS ANESTHETIC ISSUE WAS MADE BY DR. LISA MASTERSON OR ANY OF THE OTHER DOCTORS ON THE SHOW TODAY!
Let us BOYCOTT OB/GYNs who are so useless, as to omit such an obvious question to any recent Mother, suffering the memory-loss symptoms described above.
Hello All,
I think I’ve finally figured this blog stuff out. Well, we’ll see.
Most of this is directed to the lady who posted about vaginal vault prolapse. This may be lengthy but very important info for you.
In November of 2001 I, too, had TAH/BSO. Six weeks later, I was in the ER with vaginal vault prolapse w/enterocele. I was directed to a urogynecologist who made me feel like a bug on a glass and invited various drs, nurses, etc to come see the entercele. He recommended mesh placement.
Although he didn’t perform the surgery I did have the horrible stuff implanted 4 mths later. To be honest, at the time I was just so relieved to know that IF this could happen to a woman, then at least there was a cure. I was terribly naive.
Most surgeons will recommend a mesh placement to correct this issue. DO NOT LET THEM DO THIS TO YOU. I cannot tell you how many women and men have had their previously healty lives destroyed by these synthetic meshes. They’re used at a rate of 2000 per month just in gynecological procedures. These numbers do not begin to reflect the numbers of hernia patients that synthetic mesh is used for.
At the 2006 annual AUGS meeting, Dr Donald Ostergard warned urogynecologists and other medical professionals about the numerous complications and likelihood of legal ramifications surrounding these products. So, whatever you do, SYNTHTIVC MESH IS NOT AN OPTION.
Quite frequently, gynecologists use these implant devices during hysterectomy for prolapse and/or urinary incontinence (TVT,TOT) with or without the consent of the patient, and oftentimes, in spite of the patients’ direct instructions not to use these devices.
My story is long and unfor-tunately, on-going. I developed an infection within the mesh and erosion at the apex of my vagina. The mersilene mesh that was used at the time of my surgery was no longer being used at all due to the morbid complications associated with it’s use. It had to be explanted. The surgery was long and arduous, to quote the good dr, due to massive adhesions. He perforated my bowels and as a result, I had to have a colostomy. The incision for the colostomy became infected and I went home 6 wks later, with the colostomy bag and a massive abdominal hernia. I’ve since then undergone numerous surgeries to correct the damage and am still having on-going problems.
If I had to recommend something, first of all it would be to keep what God gave you. Don’t allow a dr to remove your organs. They are there for a purpose. Secondly, do your homework. Find someone who will reattach your bladder or prolapses the old-fashioned way, without mesh. Thirdly, if you must have surgery to correct an issue such as vaginal vault prolapse and mesh is recommended…seek a urogynecologist who will use the biomaterials on the market.
At one time complications were numerous involving these products due to the transfer of other diseases. However, they’ve improved their sterilization procedures to the point that the fears of transmission of disease are no longer an issue. There are numerous types of bio-mesh available. Some of them are human cadaver products. Other materials are made of porcine and bovine.
There ARE other options.
I know from experience that vag. vault prolapse is a horrible experience and one that you don’t ever want to deal with. But the ‘cure’ that most surgeons will offer is life threatening at worst and life-altering at the very least. Please search for a physician highly experienced in these procedures.
After my life-threatening ordeal with synthetic mesh, I still had 6 other surgeons recommend mesh placement for the repair of my HUGE hernia. When I say huge, I mean I looked every bit of 9 mths pregnant. The drs described it as ‘massive’. I politely told each and every one of them, “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not that crazy or desperate yet.” I mean it nearly killed me once and my dear Grandma always said, “Once, shame on you…twice, shame on me.”
I lost countless hours of sleep but finally discovered what I believed was the ‘safest’ material on the market and after many more months of research, was able to find a surgeon who specialized in this arena.
If you want you can call the organization and ask Nora to give you my number. Maybe she or I can help you locate a surgeon.
Good Luck and Godspeed
Deb
I think my husband wishes I was dead now. Not the old me, but the new mutilated me must be a torture in itself for him. The predators attacked my husband too!
Please note:
Please do not post comments that promote products.
If you have found something that has been helpful or that caused new problems please let us know about your experience. The risks of many of the “remedies” promoted online are often understated or not stated at all.
I’m 43 years old, I had a a hysterectomy when I was 34. My gynecologist said I have a vaginal vault prolapse. I need to know how long I can go with this. Im having trouble emptying my bladder, cannot have intercourse, it so painful. Is there anything I can do to help this? It has caused me so much pain, money and limited my activity and employment. Any info would be help. Thank you.
Soon gynecologists will be caught too. Ching ching!
A lawsuit brought on behalf of 82 patients who were allegedly subjected to unnecessary cardiac surgery at Redding Medical Center, Redding, northern California, has been filed in a Californian county superior court.
Nine of the 82 patients later died, and some of the deaths have been attributed to the unnecessary surgery, the lawsuit says. It further contends that a deliberate push for high profits prompted the hospital and doctors to perform inordinate numbers of highly profitable heart procedures, whether they were necessary or not.
Last October the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the offices at the Redding Medical Center of cardiovascular surgeon Dr Chae Hyun Moon and director of cardiovascular surgery Dr Fidel Realyvasquez Jr, but no charges have yet been filed (BMJ 2002;325:1130).
A website set up by a Redding law firm, Hackard and Holt, has been offering free consultations to patients of Redding Medical Center, part of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The website quotes the San Francisco Chronicle as saying that “an FBI affidavit filed in federal court in Sacramento contains allegations that as many as half of the heart surgeries and tests performed by the duo were unnecessary by ‘commonly held medical standards,’ and that an estimated 25% were performed on patients who had no serious heart problems.”
Since last October’s FBI raid, the trickle of patients demanding their medical records has grown into a flood of more than 1800.
Operating room nurse Kim Schlenker said: “The entire hospital just rotated around Dr Moon—just one doctor.” She said Dr Moon had so many patients lined up he would rush through delicate heart procedures. “We used to call them fire drills, because he was always in a hurry because he had more cases to do,” she said.
With Dr Moon performing 10-12 cardiac catheterisations a day, about 2400 cardiac catheterisations were done at the Redding Medical Center last year. With its busy cardiac unit, the centre earned $94m (£59m; €82m) last year for Tenet—an incredible profit for a small regional hospital, says Dr Lee Pearce, a Tenet shareholder who is appalled by the company’s practices. In 2001 the centre was Tenet’s most profitable hospital in California, with net income of more than $69m, the lawsuit alleges.
Early last month the centre suspended its cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology programmes. Dr Realyvasquez, 54, took a 90 day leave of absence in February, to assist his lawyers. Dr Moon, 55, stopped his practice in February, saying he could not get malpractice insurance. He has resisted interviews, but he has said that he saved lives in Redding every day. “My living patients will be my witness,” he has said.
To Anonymous at 6:50PM
Surgically removing your uterus will have a profound effect upon your ovaries. Removing your ovaries will have a profound effect upon your endocrine glands and organs.
It should not be surprising to anyone that profound digestive problems arise after castration and or hysterectomy surgery.
I am astonished that the Gynecologists are legally allowed to tell their patients ‘I never heard of that before’ when they complain of digestive disorders after any female sex organ surgery.
Are these gynecologists insane?
It is medically impossible that you would not have such a result.
I am a 34 year old woman married woman. I had a hysterectomy in 2001. I lost the ability to have an orgasim. Everything is OK with my marriage. No major changes. Any information on the subject woudl be helpful. Thank you.
If I never had problems with my stomach but after having a hysterectomy my Doctor is telling me my issues can be caused from my gallbladder. Can having a hysterectomy cause gallbladder problems?
Hello Anonymous, You said, “Yes, I agree Halloween is the best time to let these OB/GYNs know what we think of their trickery and deceit!!!”
I couldn’t agree more, get in touch with Hers and ask them to connect us, if they can!
I had a partial hysterectomy done 3 years ago and I want to know is it normal to lose your sex drive and when you have sex is it normal to be spotting blood?
hi i am 25. last year i had a complete hysterectomy, now i am having hormonal changes. i am on the vivelle dot. i am crying for no reason someone help me
In a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology last year, researchers found that hysterectomies had been “inappropriately” recommended to 367 of 497 women. In another study, 16% of women in seven health-care plans were found to have undergone hysterectomies for “clinically” wrong reasons. “We found quite a few women who weren’t offered less invasive treatment. It’s very disturbing,” said Dr. Michael Broder, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. “It seems pretty likely there are more hysterectomies done in this country than can be justified…”
If hysterectomy is an elective surgery, then why are doctors telling women they NEED it? Why are they using scare tactics such as “it could be cancer” or “you might end up in ER”, etc., Why don’t they ever tell women it’s an elective surgery, and not mandatory and not an emergency? Ching ching!
Why are women constantly told to get a second opinion when they are told they need a hysterectomy? Are these doctors so incompetent and unethical that they can’t be trusted? The answer is yes, but unfortunately, most of them are the same. You could get a 100 opinions and they will all be the same and all be wrong. It’s a joke for a woman to get a second opinion. This is a business where doctors are supposed to perform this surgery for profit. In general they will not tell you that a cyst or a fibroid can be removed because there’s no money in it. Beware of 2nd, 3rd and 100th opinions when you go to a gynecologist. They are not looking out for your health, just a paycheck.
Mattie, you are the greatest!
Ha Ha Ha great, is my response to your suggestion to do …
“utube videos”…we could do a little parody? We could call it “Women-Hold On To Your Balls”?
Yes, let’s do it!
There is every medical and logical expectation that when you remove both ovaries, uterus and cervix from a 24 year old female that she could expect to have the functions of her endocrine system disrupted, and experience major effects because of this.
My above post in this regard was just an introduction to the topic and does not begin to tell the full story of just how drastically the loss of both ovaries is to the endocrine system.
How can any sane, balanced, normal, educated, licensed OB/GYN look a 24 year old female patient in the eye and tell her not to expect any reaction/effect within her endocrine system and its functions after her two ovaries, uterus and cervix have been surgically removed?
The only surgical after-effects I was told to expect were:
1)I would be unable to have children and
2)I would need Hormone Replacement Therapy for the rest of my life.
There was no discussion about any other possible after effects. NO MENTION WHATEVER ABOUT ANY EFFECT TO THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND ITS FUNCTIONS.
How can these OB/GYNs be allowed to lie like this????
The imminent ‘cancer scare’ was used to rush me into surgery within days of my first consultation with the OB/GYN. My Mother had died when I was still in my teens and I was vulnerable at the time of consulting with the OB/GYN and was royally tricked into that surgery.
Yes, I agree Halloween is the best time to let these OB/GYNs know what we think of their trickery and deceit!!!
If there is one shred of decency left in even one of them, that one OB/GYN should start now to stand up for the truth and admit to the lies and hidden secrets they have been perpetrating about these female sex-organ surgeries.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs before there are no more females left with any of their female sex organs!
Hello Anonymous,
In your last post you said:
Mattie, YOU GO GIRL!!!
Your post revealing the names of these liars is so courageous. I can prove my OB/GYN lied to me, and it seems you can also prove your OB/GYN lied to you too!!!! We are speaking the truth, with courage.
Yes, I have it in writing from a medical doctor….Thanks, and same to you.
In your last post you said:
“He responded, ‘Well I know of others who have had hysterectomies and they seem to be doing OK’
That is so sad to hear, perhaps your brother should see the “female anatomy” video, along with the rest of the country. Tell your brother after he views the female anatomy educational video….hysterectomy/castration by deceit is the “biggest best kept secret in the medical industry” and the best kept secret among women-a sisterhood of silence.”
It won’t be a “secret” much longer. The medial facts are blatantly missing from “informed consent” and no matter how hard they try to hush the truth, it can not be silenced. The medical truth will prevail.
You certainly made it very clear in your endocrine post earlier on this blog. That is just some of the correct medical information astonishingly missing and legal in the cruelly manipulated materials used by OB/GYN’S to torture women for over a half century.
I am always horrified when I think how young you were when you were hysterectomized and castrated legally by deceit. Thanks for being honest and being involved in this most humanitarian effort with us and HERS.
I don’t believe a demonstration could be large enough to stop the perpetration. But, I know the internet can, honest citizens can, politicians and medical doctors “willing to admit the medical truth” can!.
How about a..”utube videos”…we could do a little parody? We could call it “Women-Hold On To Your Balls”?
If all surgeons followed the practices of gynecologists, no one would have any internal organs and their extremities would all be amputated. They like to wait and watch until a woman gets into a lot of pain and/or bleeding so they can tell her that her only option is (their favorite word) hysterectomy! “Hysterectomy” doesn’t sound nearly as bad as what they are really going to do when they cut through her abdomen, damage her bladder, shift her bowel, sever all the uterine ligaments (compromising pelvic support) and blood supply and sew her vagina into a closed pocket so it can mold.
Mattie, YOU GO GIRL!!!
Your post revealing the names of these liars is so courageous. I can prove my OB/GYN lied to me, and it seems you can also prove your OB/GYN lied to you too!!!! We are speaking the truth, with courage.
BEWARE – LEGAL LIES
by OB/GYNs!!!
If this blog is not an eye opener to everyone dicussing ‘hysterectomy’ with their OB/GYNs, then these prospective ‘hysterectomy’ patients have no one to blame but themselves after reading these blogs. You have been warned about the OB/GYN LIES!
OB/GYNs money helps lobby for legislation which deprives us of our rights over and over again. That is why they can continue to lie, their money buys them LYING POWER!!!!
I tried to explain to my male sibling that my health issues were related to my ‘hysterectomy’ which was done to me in my early twenties. He thinks it’s all in my head.
He responded, ‘Well I know of others who have had hysterectomies and they seem to be doing OK’
I asked, ‘Who else do you know who has had their two ovaries, uterus and cervix removed in their early twenties?’
His reply, ‘I don’t know, because that is not something that is discussed openly’ and he indicated he did not want to discuss the matter further.
This topic is not a subject that is easily discussed in any setting.
This is what allows these lying OB/GYNs to get away with their intentional lies. The word ‘hysterectomy’ plays its planned role of confusion, as it is designed specifically to do by these legally lying OB/GYNs.
One word ‘hysterectomy’ is designed by these OB/GYNs to describe their myriad of assorted female sex organ surgeries. Just visit some of their websites, and the websites of the teaching Universities, clinics etc. and read it for yourself.
I am the most prudish person I know. I have decided that I am willing to put my prudishness aside in my old age now, and speak out against this evil, loud and clear.
I am not embarrassed to discuss this topic, in the appropriate setting, and I am able to decide what feels appropriate. What I have already written on this blog, has helped to save at least one Known woman from agreeing with her OB/GYN to have this mutilation done to her in the name of ‘hysterectomy’.
That fact makes me very happy, and I do not miss my prudishness in the process of helping others avoid this mutilation.
October 31st, OFFICIAL HALLOWEEN TRICKSTERS OB/GYN BOYCOTT DAY sounds wonderful!
We could think up some really interesting costumes to go with our hand-held signs!!!
Lets exchange ideas on this blog and have a good time with this one!
We will have the last laugh yet with these OB/GYNs!
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs
Right, what woman wouldn’t be embarrassed? What if I joined eHarmony.com (dating service) to find a potential mate. Should I state the truth? Should I reveal that I have been de-sexed and mutilated by a gynecologist? That my vagina is sewn into a closed pocket and I no longer have a natural discharge, or ability to have an orgasm? Should I describe how my bladder and bowel have been moved from their natural position so that now pee drips in my pants and I have to run to the bathroom when I get the urge or I will poop in my pants? Should I tell them that if I try to have an orgasm that I get sharp pains in my vagina? Should I let them know that I cannot get aroused? Do you think they should also know that I have an increased risk for osteoporosis, heart attacks and dementia just to name a few?
Hell, I wouldn’t want to date myself after what this criminal has done to me. However, if women do not get over their embarrassment and speak out, this will continue to go on. We all need to join together and protect other women from these criminals. No matter how embarrassing, this secret has to end. It is the medical establishment that should be embarrassed, not the women who have been misled, deceived and de-sexed for profit.
(Women are afraid or embarrassed to admit hysterectomy damage)
When you get into the 22 million numbers it is easy to see that about 1 in 3 women had a hysterectomy in the U.S.
I found out every third woman on the street I live on had a hysterectomy, and not one of them warned me.
I had several of them over for dinner and had casual friendships with them, but woman aren’t giving up this information, it is too embarrassing and they are going to protect their self-image at all costs, including your health.
I took one of my neighbors daughters to a rock concert,”Def Leopard”, (pre-butchering) because the women didn’t feel like going, I could not understand why she didn’t want to go to the really fun concert. But the woman didn’t want her daughter to go alone to a rock concert, so I of course agreed to go with her daughter. I wish I would have known then that she was hysterectomized and had a hysterectomy. At least I would have known why the mother didn’t want to go to the concert with her daughter; her passion was surgically amputated along with her uterus. This woman is now divorced from her first husband and is very thick around her abdomen.
(It is obvious now that many woman on the street I live on were very damaged by hysterectomy/sex organ removal and keep it a “well guarded secret” just like the OB/GYN’S)
I know another woman on my street who lies to her husband about having a hysterectomy. The hysterectomy ruined her first marriage, but the woman never told her current husband or me, she just say’s she can’t have children. I can remember the woman’s husband and she talking about her never wanting sex!…this shame is out of control. This woman is prematurely gray, has heart problems, is morbidly obese and she is in her early forties.
If these examples don’t show how embarrassing it is for women to admit the hysterectomy damage, nothing is. And again, sad to say, but the OB/GYN’S know this embarrassment works to keep women silent.
When I used to think about some of the woman on the street I live on, I would just think they weren’t as outgoing and passionate about life as I was. It is obvious now that many woman on the street I live on were very damaged by hysterectomy/sex organ removal and keep it a “well guarded secret”.
(How interesting!) but the OB/GYN’S are legally able to amputate the uterus, not correctly medically researched or identified)
If you amputated a man’s prostate gland, he would not be able to ejaculate.
The same is medically true of the removal of a woman’s uterus.
But because a sewn closed vagina with no functioning sex organ attached, remains hidden, the OB/GYN’S cash in with medical impossibilities presented as medical facts for profit. The woman’s vagina is mutilated, the uterus houses and utilizes hormones and substances not understood by the medical researchers to date. Medical researchers are still identifying the substances in the female uterus and their functions concerning a woman’s over all health and well-being.
(Women often do not admit to friends and family the devastating outcome of sex organ amputation, it is too embarrassing/and at the same time the gynecologists are laughing all the way to the bank)
Women no longer have a natural discharge (vagina sewn closed) and sex drive.
Who wants to admit they are de-sexed? If you are single and trying to date, who would want to tell a potential mate: “I am de-sexed by a surgery that they do for sex change operations. My vagina is sewn closed, I can not orgasm and don’t have a natural sexual desire.”
(Gynecologists prescribe anti-depressants to woman after they are damaged by hysterectomy, why?)
Hysterectomy/sex organ amputation damages the endocrine system, causing endocrine system chaos, along with permanently damaging the woman’s sexuality.
The butcher OB/GYN’S need to be stopped, embarrassed or not, we all need to stop them.
Apparently, Dr. Phil and his son Jay will have a talk show which will air on Sept. 8th. I beleve it will be called “The Doctors” with a panel of M.D’s giving medical advice. I will also send them my letter
“Barack Obama” and “Joe Biden” both Senators, will they stop hysterectomy by deceit?
I am in pain every day and it makes me sick to think thousands of women will experience the horror of sexual organ amputation/hysterectomy, by deceit, this week in the U.S.A.
Oprah has a message board called “Health and Wellness” on her website. She has a message called “Hysterectomy or Not??” and it mentions HERS. Why isn’t the hysterectomy by deceit of the American woman, being treated as the national emergency it is, I could barely find the message boards on Oprah’s site, but it is there. Maybe she will do a show about it and save the remainder of the women left intact from a gynecological attack by deceit.
I wonder if “Oprah’s” hands are tied by the medical industry’s advertising? That may be why she doesn’t inform women of their most basic “Human Rights”.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the life of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples, crossing each other from a million different centers of energy, build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” –Sen. Robert F. Kennedy
Alene: Yes, October 31st, NATIONAL BOYCOTT OB/GYN’S DAY! That should be a National Holiday! I think you subconsciously picked that day because of the trickery! Thank you so much for writing that wonderful letter to Oprah. You make such a good point that you are very educated yet never heard of any of this. It just shows how well the OB/GYN’s have kept the truth hidden so they can profit off de-sexing and mutilating women. If this was being done to men, there would be a lot of dead doctors, but they know that women are not violent and they can attack them and get away with it. I would much prefer to have my leg amputated instead, because it would be much easier to live with. OB/GYN’s are serial mutilators. They prey on unsuspecting women with scare tactics and outright lies to get them into surgery. Thanks Alene, you are awesome
Dear CT,
Valid point you made: “Halloween would be a good day because of the trickery. We know there is no treat. Only the sick-predator gynecologists would think they are getting a treat when they de-sex a woman without any medical basis.”
I was thinking that Halloween,
Oct.31st should be designated as: “NATIONAL BOYCOTT ALL OB/GYN’s DAY!” before the election. I’m glad that you pointed out your quoted reason for Halloween to be BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s DAY which makes perfect sense!”
Thanks!
I wrote the Oprah Show the following: The space is limited on her WEB page to 2000 characters. Maybe she can do another show to warn women the dangers of HYST! Please read:
I will BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s. Nora Coffey, founder of HERS Foundation helped me! I was scheduled for a HYSTERECTOMY this past June for Fibroid Tumors (non cancerous) and endometriosis however my daughters went out of town for 5 days with their college and high school cheer teams and contracted Mononucleosis sharing food, so fate stepped in and I had to take care of my ill daughters during the summer, so I canceled my HYST and researched HERS Foundation WEB Page and link to their video entitled the “Female Anatomy Video”.(explains many problems after a HYST). I canceled the HYST forever! This must STOP before an innocent woman either gets Killed from this barbaric surgery or an emotionally distraught woman decides to castrate and kill the perpetrator, her OB/GYN! who performed the HYST on her! Women’s BLOGS state they were mislead by doctors to have complete HYST’s for monetary gain. CASTRATION by deceit. These women sign forms to have only small non cancerous cysts, fibroid tumors etc removed exclusively and are coming out of these operations completely castrated! They are lied to by doctors that after a HYST, they will feel much better and enjoy sex more! However after their HYST, since it is castration they do not have any sexual feeling anymore! Conversely, if men had fibroid tumors and/or cysts on their penis or testicles, the doctors would NOT perform castration, they would remove the culprit, the tumor and cyst only! I have a new outlook on life since I spoke with Nora from HERS. I wouldn’t trade my intolerable perimenopause cramping, clumpy and heavy bleeding, irritable moods, headaches during my periods and GREAT SEX with my husband which (produces endorphins to suppress pain!) for Castration! because I know that when I approach menopause in a few years, my fibroids will shrink on their own, and I will get better. I have B.S/.M.S. science degrees from my hometown Chicagoland…so why did I not know all of this?
Another post from a popular message board. A lady is 45 and she has a 12 cm fibroid, and was told her only option was hysterectomy. She is scared to have the surgery because she has already had a heart attack, yet a criminal gynecologist is trying to push her into it lying to her telling her that when the fibroid is that large that there is more risk for infections and emergency hysterectomy. Lies, lies, and more lies.
Alene, you are always right on. Halloween would be a good day because of the trickery. We know there is no treat. Only the sick-predator gynecologists would think they are getting a treat when they de-sex a woman without any medical basis. Again, I am so glad you were saved before you were caught by these criminals. It’s always so good to hear. It’s awesome that you posted all the lies you were told. No one is making this up, it’s a nightmarish truth. It’s like we live in a parallel universe where this horrible crime is allowed to go on and people in power who could stop it, don’t. I would hate to be the karma that these criminals and their followers are creating. It’s very sad that if a doctor speaks out about it, that he is black-balled (no pun intended) by his cronies. Sick.
I always admire those who have suffered from some serious illness who then decide to turn around and reach out to help those still suffering. Some people form non-profit organizations, like the HERS Foundaton, and others get involved at neighborhood level to inform and educate about prevention.
It takes a strong heart and mind to do this. We who have experienced the devastation and poor health brought on by these mutilating, mostly unnecessary sex-organ surgeries, can still help to prevent this from being done to others, by continuing to post on this blog regularly.
I am so proud of all the posters here who, even though they have suffered so much from this deceitful OB/GYN practice of removing our sex-organs by deceipt, can still have the heart and mind to reach out to each other and to everyone, to warn how dangerous and mutilating and life altering these surgeries are to our lives.
By reaching out to others to help to prevent the continuing spread of this disgusting OB/GYN practice, is the best way in my opinion that we can RISE ABOVE what has happened to us.
Turning our backs and walking away from helping to prevent this from happening to others, would be so sad, in my opinion.
I really appreciate the moral support and useful information offered by the bloggers to this site. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You have all made a huge difference in my life.
I would like to commend the poster who identified May-Grant Associates in Lancaster, PA as predators who will amputate a woman’s sex organs with no medical justification. This will save other women from the same fate. Thank you for warning other women about these criminal doctors. Boycott May-Grant Associates!
My life was affected but I have learned to rise above what happened to me. It has been an exceptionally hard and long road but when I had the AH HA moment it was fabulous. I speak to women all the time about the effects to their quality of life and how to do everything in their power to avoid this brutal option.
As for sex….no body’s business but my own 😉
Dear Snowmobiler
I hope that a part of your transmuting includes warning others just how much your life has been affected by the surgery.
Does your transmuting include ‘enjoying sex better than ever’ after the surgery?
Its not too late to transmute yourself after a hysterectomy. I had a hysterectomy at 29 years old and my mother had one at 25 and she adopted me. I have been able to work with a phenomonal woman physician who is able to help women who have been “castrated” to move forward and re-empower themselves. Today I think about is and realize that I would have had a 20-something child by now.
Make absoultely sure you ask all questions, get second opinions and be a very active participant in your care. I was not and now I am here with more health issues ans weight that I would not have had if it had not been for the surgery! I uesd to be a world class athlete pre castration!
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May-Grant Associates, Lancaster PA. You sick lying excuse for healers.
You tricked me by legal deceit, how dare you.
I was a life-long patient, you delived my only child, how dare you, you medically lied to me for profit and your sick pleasure.
How dare you have my insurance company pay for your greed, sick pleasure and mental disorder, I am sure you all suffer from. I had a fibroid tumor, non-cancerous at about 6cm. Why did you de-sex me and ruin my health for money, you sick demented freaks.
You, May-Grant Associates, should all be in prison. You are all mentally disturebed and all of you listed below shoud immediately, “get some counciling”, “Your not coping”. “You could have looked it up”, “You can get a Harley and a Tattoo”, “You can’t put it back”, “I have never heard of that before” and “You are mourning the loss of your uterus”.
What you told me to de-sex me for profit was a lie, a legal medical lie, you don’t deserve to be in the medical profession.
I am speaking for every woman you have ever deceived with your phoney legal medical lies. Don’t you ever forget it, because I will never forget what a heinous act of inhumanity you have perpetrated upon me and my family. I did not think it was possible to suffer as much as I have suffered in the past two years, but I do now, and I am angry. I am angry that this is legal. I am angry that you are de-sexing another woman today without their informed consent, how dare you.
You are all insane human beings perpetrating unimaginable suffering on woman knowingly disguised as medical information. You are not going to get away with de-sexing me for profit with no medical justification.
William C. Bradford, D.O., Lancaster, PA
Melvin B. Habecker, D.O., Lancaster, PA
Charles B. Krespan, M.D., Lancaster, PA
Karen L. Roberts, M.D.
Lancaster, PA
Kathleen H. Gerbert, M.D., Lancaster,PA
Terri L. Rapp, M.D.,
Lancaster, PA
Kristina R. Tedeschi, M.D., Lancaster, PA
Katrina Wyse, M.D.,
Lancaster, PA
Paul E. Visneski, D.O.,
Lancaster, PA
Bryan L. Yingling, M.D., Lancaster, PA
Why are the OB/GYBs not legally and morally REQUIRED to admit that the Endocrine System needs ALL its 7 MAJOR parts to function normally and healthily?
Why are they being allowed to tell women
‘You will enjoy sex better than ever …’ when there is no logical, medical or any other evidence to support this stupid claim?
FIRST REASON why these OB/GYNs are liars.
The OB/GYNs first basic lesson in Biology in school, in college, and in university, will teach them the 7 below-mentioned basic facts accepted by laymen and the medical profession alike.
The OB/GYNs have no excuse to be telling their patients, after they have removed one or both Ovaries, that they … ‘never heard of that before …’ when their patients mention experiencing some of the after-effects reported in the HERS Survey results posted on the HERS website.
These HERS Survey results are the most basically obvious, to-be-expected results of removing the Ovaries and the other sex organs from the female body. The Ovaries are an INTEGRAL, NECESSARY, BASIC part of the MAJOR ENDOCRINE SYSTEM of the female body.
BOTTOM LINE – We need our Ovaries to be healthy.
WHY IS THIS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED BY EVERY OB/GYN with a license to practice?
WHY IS IT NOT MANDATED BY LAW, AND THEIR FELLOW Medical Practitioners, THAT THESE OB/GYNs ACCEPT THESE BASIC BIOLOGICAL FACTS and admit these facts to ALL their female patients discussing sex-organ surgery with them, both before and after surgery?
Our Ovaries depend upon the other connected female organs to function fully, therefore whenever any of the other female organs are surgically removed, there is an AUTOMATIC effect upon the functions of the Ovaries.
Below are Extracts taken from online Wikipedia regarding the female’s 7 Major Endocrine GLANDS/ORGANS:
1) PINEAL GLAND resides in the vertebrate brain. It is located near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres. It produces melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal) functions.
2) PITUITARY GLAND located at the base of the brain ‘ … … secretes hormones regulating homeostasis, including trophic hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands. It is functionally connected to the hypothalamus by the median eminence… …’.
3) THYROID GLAND located in the neck. It controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and how sensitive the body should be to other hormones.
4) THYMUS GLAND located in the upper anterior portion of the chest cavity just behind the sternum. Hormones produced by this organ stimulate the production of certain infection-fighting cells. It is of central importance in the maturation of T cells.
5) ADRENAL GLANDS – located on top of the kidneys. They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline.
6) PANCREAS GLAND/ORGAN – located near the stomach and small intestine is both exocrine (secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes) and endocrine (producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin). It also produces digestive enzymes that pass into the small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the chyme.
7) OVARIES – (… in females are homologous to testes in males. The term gonads refers to the ovaries in females and testes in males…) are located within the pelvic cavity, on either side of the uterus, to which they are attached via a fibrous cord called the ovarian ligament. The ovaries are uncovered in the peritoneal cavity but are tethered to the body wall via the suspensory ligament of the ovary. The part of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovary is known as the mesovarium. An ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ found in female organisms.
FOOTNOTE:
The OB/GYNs who deny the above basic biological facts, are inconsistent with acknowledged, basic BIOLOGICAL facts accepted by laymen as well as their other colleagues in the medical profession.
Any OB/GYN denying these above basic facts, should be denied a medical license to practice any form of medicine, in my opinion.
OB/GYNs should be mandated/required to have ALL their patients view the HERS DVD video prior to any female sex-organ surgery. OB/GYNs should be barred from any further medical practice, when they do not openly admit and agree with these basic, widely accepted biological facts to ALL their patients.
Currently, they are being allowed to openly, blatantly deny these basic biological facts to patients and the public alike.
OB/GYNs are the perfect example of what ambitious greed and love-of-money can do to their own human psyche.
OB/GYNs need to feel our outrage and the outrage of every decent human being, male and female alike.
So, OB//GYNs reading this post … …
still ‘never heard of that before’ …????
Yeah, right.
Go sell your lies elsewhere. This HERS blog and website allows us to expose your lies. Blatant, obvious, intellectual, logical and intentional, greed-driven LIES!!!!
Yes, we MUST BOYCOTT OB/GYNs if we want to protect our Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces and all females from this outrage that is covertly being sold to our society as ‘… medical practice ..’
utube videos…
saved my life I was scheduled for a hysterectomy and my kids found the female anatomy video on utube by watching music videos.
Thanks…Hers Foundation.
There is another woman posting on a popular message board run by MD’s saying that her doctor told her she had a fibroid and the only option he gave her was hysterectomy. She assumed that since he didn’t offer to just remove the fibroid that it couldn’t be removed. That’s a logical assumption unless you know that these doctors are lying predators. Boycott OB/GYN’s!
I have had almost constant hip pain since they took everything out a couple years ago. The more I sit, the worse it is. I also have no sex drive and cannot get aroused. When are doctors going to stop doing this to women?
To the above blogger @ 10:10pm
I am so sorry to know that you have also been lied to by your OB/GYN, as I was by mine.
It is a fact that these sex organ surgeries are being covertly sold by these lying OB/GYNs to unsuspecting females under the guise of “Great, will be able to have sex all the time without any worries of pregnancy”!!!!!!!
Good health is the best aphrodisiac.
The best way to guarantee lack of good health, is to remove the essential female sex organs from our bodies. These surgeries are permanent and so are the after effects of these surgeries.
No pills, patches or potions can replace the types, quantities and manner of production and use of the vast array of hormones and other substances our female sex organs are created to do, AS NATURE INTENDED.
The victims of these mutilating surgeries only become permanently in need of more medical help to cope with the devastating health issues that develop as a result of the surgery.
Even the teenagers among us, who read the online Wikipedia encyclopedia entry for ‘Endocrine System’ can see and understand from the simple diagram and notes on that webpage, how very basic and essential it is for ALL women to have their ovaries etc. continue to function normally, as an essential part of the cyclical endocrine system.
Our organs, glands and our body as a whole needs to act together, to maintain good health. We need all our body parts to do this.
Yes, let us BOYCOTT these lying OB/GYNs!!!
I have had a total abdominal hysterectomy I was made aware of the weight gain the fact I would have no more children the problem is I didn’t realize I would become totally numb to the idea of sex My husband and I are at our wits end I know he isn’t going to divorce me but how many times can you be made to feel rejected by the woman you love and not have hurt feelings he doesn’t get the fact that I am not wanting to have sex period he wants to think that it has to be someone else I guess in away its easier to fight for a solution of an affair than to accept that your wife doesn’t desire sex at all I don’t even want to masterbate the feeling is just not there Is there any hope I tried to talk to my doctor SHE just changed my hormone medicine (didn’t help) I have been to a shrink again all they wanted to do was give me medicine for anxiety needless to say (didn’t help) I am only 40 I am not suppose to feel this way about sex not yet When my husband talked about it we saw the picture as “Great will be able to have sex all the time without any worries of pregnancy” Can you or anyone help us PLEASE
I am 56 yrs. old and ihave no sensitivity with foreplay no feelings I had to have a complete historectomy because of ovarian cancer. Please I Need your help .
I am 24 years old and had a hysterectomy at 22 because I was bleeding after I had a baby. I wasn’t given a choice because I was put to sleep. The doctor said he felt that the hysterectomy was best because I already had other children and a healthy newborn. I would have liked more children, and dont agree. He didn’t even try. It’s my life not his. I didn’t want to be put to sleep but he did it anyway. Now I don’t know what to do. Please help me.
Regarding aktivintelligens.dk’s comment:”Therapy under hypnosis is an efficient and tender way to recover” hypnosis may be one of many coping techniques that help women live with the damage caused by hysterectomy, but it is not possible to “recover” from hysterectomy. Recovery means that women would be as they were before the surgery, which is not possible. The damage caused by hysterectomy and female castration is permanent, there is no remedy and it cannot be undone.
I can´t discuss when or why hystorectomy should be done. Cancer for instance is hard to argue with. But when a hystorectomy is performed, there is no doubt that it leaves the woman with both physical and psychological aftereffects.
Therapy under hypnosis is an efficient and tender way to recover.
Alene,
Thank you for posting about how your future health and well-being were spared by finding the correct information and our testimonials. Isn’t it mind boggling that women have to be lucky enough to find this web site in order to save themselves and their family from gynecological assault by deceit which is legal in this country. Keep spreading the information in any way you can.
I had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. I am miserable. Blood pressure is high, weight gain and stress levels remain high. I am 40 years old. I am having problems with reaching orgasms. I exercise. I eat healthier than ever in my life before, but a depression hangs over me and will not lift. Tired of prescriptions. Just extremely tired.
I had a complete hysterectomy before I was 16 years old and I know it has effected my whole
life. I need a venue to explore this and learn about who I am as a result of this. My parents are both deceased and were never able to tell me concretely why this occurred. I’m pretty functional, yet at the same time I’d like to know if there are other teenage girls that had this surgery, how did it effect there lives and are there conferences pending, or past that addressed the issue of teenage hysterectomy. Thank you so very much for listening and caring.
The November elections this year would be a great opportunity to collect more signatures for the HERS Petition.
The last time I collected signatures and handed out HERS literature at the polling station during the Primary Elections I was restricted to standing approx 100 feet from the entrance of the polling station.
I got a good response from those going into the building, and those exiting after they had voted in the Primary Elections.
Here is another trick gynecologists use on women. When they tell them the size of a fibroid or cyst, they tell them in centimeters not inches. For instance, if you are told you have a 6 cm fibroid, it really is only 2.36 inches (less than half in inches). Why do they use centimeters? Because they sound much larger than inches so it is easier to scare women into surgery. Below is a centimeter to inch conversion chart to show the significant difference:
Centimeters To Inches
1 cm = .39 inches
2 cm = .78 inches
3 cm = 1.18 inches
4 cm = 1.57 inches
5 cm = 1.96 inches
6 cm = 2.36 inches
7 cm = 2.75 inches
8 cm = 3.14 inches
9 cm = 3.54 inches
10 cm = 3.93 inches
I feel like finding a designated place where HERS can meet, hold up Pickett signs that say “BOYCOTT ALL OB/GYN’s”. Does HERS have an annual march/rally against OB/GYN’s? If so when and where? If not, it would be of women’s best interest to select a designated date every year to do this, perhaps the end of October just before the election. Civil Disobedience! BOYCOTT ALL OB/GYN’s. Designate October 31st, Halloween as NATIONAL BOYCOTT ALL OB/GYN’s DAY! Freedom of Speech!
Since having a full hysterectomy January ‘04 I’ve been experiencing an irregular heart beat. The cardioligist says it’s not cause for concern?? My questions is of the women who reported similar problems, did they go away on their own once the body adjusted to the loss of hormones. Does hormone replacement therapy help. Right now my Internest is suggesting going to an EPS for a study. Any information, statics you may have would be appreciated. I hope some one here can be of assistance.
I am fortunate that the women on this website genuinely care and will “go to bat” for others. They are brave enough to describe their own post surgical symptoms after their HYST. These women should be commended and I owe them my life because it was Nora’s, CT’s, Mattie’s and others’ valuable education and input which made me decide not to have a HYST! Our economy is in such a horrific place right now. We are heading into a depression, unless our country gets a better president who values “Change” in November. People, especially OB/GYN’s are desperate and hard up for more money so they will do more unnecessary barbaric surgery to steal more money from vulnerable women in pain. The analogy is that my family owns three cars, therefore I am encouraging my husband, teenagers and myself to “get rid of the cars” buy electric and/or ride our bicycles to boycott the rich gasoline Empires who capitalize from us Americans. The same applies to OB/GYN’s… Boycott all OB/GYN’s and find a good family practice physician (whether an M.D. D.O or Nurse Practitioner) who is licensed to do everything an OB/GYN can do,without being invasive! Boycott ALL OB/GYN’s, so they will lose their businesses and never be able to destroy another woman’s life!! We women are strong and must stick together!We have no need for their mental cruelty, abuse, butchery etc….
To the casual observer glancing speedily at this blog site, it must seem we posters are the unlucky ones who have developed a few ‘complications’ following our female sex-organ surgeries.
The bottom line, in my view, is not whether we female victims are left physically able to perform the sexual act. As desirable as that is, there are still some in our midst, such as nuns, monks, priests and other ordinary people who may voluntarily choose to abstain from sexual activity temporarily or permanently.
Strange as it may seem to some of us, there are people who may be happy choosing to abstain from sex. This is and should be an individual and personal choice available to each of us.
In my opinion, as devastating as the after effects of these sex-organ surgeries are to the sex life of the victims, this pales in comparison to the other aspects of these surgeries.
We are denied any aspect of a ‘normal’ life because of the consequences of these mutilating surgeries. To only name a few:
cognitive difficulties, inability to financially support oneself because of devastating chronic fatigue/bladder control difficulties/flatulence/bloating issues/severe digestive difficulties/colon issues/vertical-balance issues which limit ability to negotiate stairs or maintain balance above ground level, difficulties/inability to drive medium or long distance, unreliable sense of direction when walking, driving etc. etc. etc. etc.
Some things should be left unspoken, as they are too horrific to be contemplated and there is much I will take with me to my grave, unspoken, regarding these surgeries.
No one can understand the wider issues, unless they have experienced them personally. They defy description and that is why these OB/GYNs can say these issues do not exist. They are beyond explanation and comprehension. We are only human, and we can not explain everything. Words too often fail us when we try. Mysteries will always exist.
This is why this HERS blog and website has comforted us victims. Some of what is experienced, post surgery, is beyond description and has to be experienced to be understood better.
Unless a man has been castrated, or a woman been castrated, they will be unable to fully relate to those of us on this blog who are unable to live ‘normal’ lives, post surgery.
The above statements do not beg sympathy. They are facts, simply stated.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs
To Anonymous today at 2:26pm
I understand your agony. As a victim of this mutilation by deceit also, I feel qualified to understand this ‘suicide’ issue.
I suspect many have committed suicide as a result of this mutilation being done to them. Perhaps much larger numbers daily contemplate doing so. Some cases are probably not officially documented as ‘suicide’ if sufficient pre-planning covers the tracks beforehand.
These OB/GYNs have the legal right to do what they are currently doing to women.
Getting the needed legislation passed to mandate that EVERY woman be required to view the HERS DVD before giving consent to these sex-organ surgeries will at least allow women to be informed BEFORE surgery.
In my opinion, the best we can do is to gather signatures for the HERS petition to make viewing the HERS DVD a legal requirement. Then spend the rest of our lives informing others about this female mutilation in disguise as ‘medical practice’.
Our lives are over in every way but for the funeral. However, by educating others, we may be able to save even one woman from this hell called ‘hysterectomy’
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs!
Although all of us victims already know that most ob/gyns are lying, despicable “people”, here’s proof of how they collude and connive to load their bank accounts.
In 1994, an ob/gyn who performs alternative treatments to hysterectomy attended a seminar on medical economics: “The topic was how to care for women in order to maximise our fee. The experts who led the discussion reminded us that gynaecologists make the most money by doing surgery and that the highest fee we can generate come from hysterectomy. With that in mind, we were urged to ‘cultivate’ our patients carefully. Initially care would require advice on contraception. Then, in the normal course of events, we would supervise their pregnancies and deliver their babies. Once a patient had completed her family, we were advised to plant the idea that she might some day need a hysterectomy. The culmination of our years of care would be the hysterectomy. The culmination of our years of care would be the hysterectomy. With proper planning, our advisers suggested, each year of practice would produce a lucrative ‘crop’ of women ripe for hysterectomy.26
26. West, ibid., pp. 28-29
I too was lied to by my ob/gyn of 19 years when I went in for intense abdominal pain. I was lied to about my condition to get my consent to be mutilated. It’s been over 2 years and I still think about suicide on a regular basis and I’m not in any physical pain. The profound changes in my physical appearance and emotional and sexual health are almost too much to bear.
DON’T EVER STEP FOOT IN AN OB/GYN’S OFFICE OR YOU’RE AT RISK!
I have a concern. I had a hysterectomy two years ago now. I am 42 years old, have had three children, and had a lot of problems with heavy bleeding in the past, up to the discovery of a fibroid tumor the size of a 18 week uterus, promptly leading to a hysterectomy. The pain and discomfort, the symptoms that I felt I am now experiencing again, lower back pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and wondered if I could possibly have fibroids after a hysterectomy, or what it could be.
I had a hysterectomy at the age of 23.
I was so tired of being sick, I thought it would be a blessing to have the works taken out!! Was just looking around to see what I could find on subjects like this, knowing that all I am going thru can not possibly be all in my head… I have learned to live with how I feel. I am now near 33, guess I just want some confirmation to the way I feel.
Since then, I have had gall bladder surgery as well as a tumor removed from my breast. And as I read the articals of what some women suffer after having surgery, I can relate and I am very interested in learning more of what I know is “not all in my head”. I just happenedto find your site. Thank you.
To the poster that just found this site. I am so sorry this happened to you. It is awful to know the truth, but much worse to not know it and have doctors tell you they don’t know anything about these symptoms. It is very telling that your therapist told you that she has other clients who have said the same thing. Please make sure you sign the petition and have your daughters watch the Female Anatomy video so that we can save others before it’s too late. Hugs.
Everything taken out in 2006, now I have no sex drive and I am bloated all the time.
I DO NOT KNOW HOW I FOUND THIS WEB SITE..BUT AM SO THANKFUL I DID…2004 HAD HYSTERECTOMY WITH OVARIES REMOVED..2004 WAS THE LAST TIME I HAD SEX…NEVER WAS TOLD,NEVER TOLD ANYONE,WAS LOST AND FELT SO ALONE UNTIL I FOUND THIS BLOG. I AM 52 AND HAD 2 CHILDREN…ALWAYS HAD AN ACTIVE SEX LIFE AND THEN —-GONE….AND SO ALONE…FELT IT WAS ME….TODAY I WENT TO MY THERAPIST TOLD HER ABOUT THIS AND SHE SAYS HER CLIENTS HAVE SAID THE SAME THING…SHE SAID MEN ARE ALWAYS TOLD OF ANY POSSIBLE ADVERSE AFFECTS…WHAT CAN I DO I HAVE 2 DAUGHTERS AND WOULD ALWAYS ADVISE AGAINST THIS .THANKS FOR BEING OUT THERE
i would like information about prolapse of bladder/rectum, urinary incontinence, vaginal shortening, vaginal vault prolapse, vaginal bulge. i had a hysterectomy in january 05 due to cysts. every since then, i have gained weight-a lot in my stomach-my stomach was never this size-i look pregnant. i have what looks like a fat poochie area. i always want sex but it i can’t get aroused. our great sex is gone, no feeling now. i urinate very slowly, sometimes dribbles. could you help me on these?
I would like to know how many women were told by their doctors prior to hysterectomy that this surgery would increase their risks for heart attacks?
To Male in Mich
Thank you for speaking out. You are a rare gem indeed. It is so unfortunate that ALL family members become victims when this is done to the women in their lives.
How many marriages end in divorce as a direct consequence of this OB/GYN practice in this 1st world nation?
Just look at the available US divorce statistics over the last several decades and compare them closely with the rapidly increasing numbers of female sex-organ surgeries over the same period!
Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary.
The OB/GYNs know you are not likely to stand up in court and regale your bedroom nightmare drama in public view! Besides, they have the legal right to get away with this.
This deceitful/mutilating surgery was done to me by gaining my consent for the surgery through incorrect/inaccurate information regarding the well-known after effects, and how it would impact my life physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and in every possible way.
Consent was received by my OB/GYN by withholding facts from me concerning the answers he gave me to my questions concerning the functions of my sex organs. His omission to inform me of many other facts regarding this surgery, makes this a true case of ‘consent through deceit’. This negates the consent. End of story.
I will continue to speak out against ambitous greed at the expense of the sick, weak, vulnerable and defenseless women in harms way.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs!
male in michigan.
I am reading here some recent posts about GYN/OB=(butcher)indicating some women are thrilled with their surgery. I posted previously about what it eventually did to my marriage. It ruined it. I also said that anyone who is familiar with eventual effects physically on women can spot a women walking that was a victim. I’m a man who once had a fairly decent relationship with his wife. We don’t have that anymore. And my wife is unwilling to accept the butchery as her cause for poor health.
To AA, “little angel”
Your response to being educated about hysterectomy/sex organ removal and castration is just what I would expect from any intelligent person learning the truth about the cruel and epidemic de-sexing of the American woman by deceit.
Woman like you will help to end the epidemic by educating others about the information they all deserve provided by Hers.
Thank you for your heart felt response and encouragement.
CT, is a force to be reckoned with and a very intelligent and compassionate woman.
Thank you for posting, I truly appreciate your concern as do all of us fighting for “informed consent”.
“little angel”
Mattie
The HERS Foundation is often described as radical and militant. We proudly wear this well-earned label.It means our voices are heard, that we will not tolerate the surgical abuse of women, and that we are not going away until this problem is history.HERS has provided counseling to more than 850,000 women and educational materials to millions of people worldwide.
It is out of vogue to be radical and militant about your beliefs. It is in fashion to sugar coat the most heinous crimes to avoid scaring people about the truth. There are some things in life we should be scared about. Sugar coating the surgical taking away of women’s female organs every thirty seconds of every minute of every day may help the medicine go down more easily, but the life-altering adverse effects of hysterectomy are permanent.
You refer to the adverse effects women experience as a consequence of hysterectomy as “complications” that are not the “norm”. The anatomical changes caused by removing a woman’s sex organs and shortening her vagina are anatomical fact. Women who experience uterine orgasm will not experience it without a uterus any more than a man will experience an erection and orgasm without a penis.
Hysterectomy is the most common non-obstetric surgery performed in the United States. One out of three women will have her female organs removed by the age of 60. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and castration is surgical removal of the ovaries. The uterus is a hormone responsive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel. Women who experience uterine orgasm will not experience it again. The vagina is shortened and made into a closed pocket. The ligaments that provide the structural integrity to the pelvis attach to the uterus and are severed during the surgery. The nerves that innervate the vagina, clitoris, labia, and nipples attach to the uterus and are severed. Major arteries and veins to the pelvis are severed, which diminishes blood flow to the lower pelvis, external genitalia, hips, legs, and feet. Castrated women have a 7.2 times greater incidence of cardiovascular disease. An Alzheimers like dementia is 50% more common in women taking estrogen, as most women do who have had their natural hormone production stopped by removal of their ovaries. It is important to use the medically correct words if women are ever going to understand the gravity of the removal of their female organs. 76% of hysterectomized women are also castrated during the surgery.
It is the medical, ethical and moral responsibility of doctors to inform women of the impact of the surgery. A woman should be able to not speak the same language, be mentally or physically disabled, and not have the education and access to medical literature to not be abused by a doctor. If doctors informed women of the basic changes in anatomy caused by removal of their female organs women would choose conservative options, they would not choose hysterectomy or castration. Hysterectomy is a 17 billion dollar a year industry. It is not the bread and butter of gynecology, it is the gold mine. The medical industry will not give it up voluntarily. But this is not only about greed. Money and power are closely connected—one the bridge to the other.
If unconsented touching such as rape is a crime—which it surely is and should be—then surely the unconsented removal of female organs from more than 600,000 women a year is a crime.
Hysterectomy has altered the very definition of Woman and has fractured society as a whole.
Considering your statement: “I see a lot of posters here like to throw out ‘statistics’ when it suits them and annectdotal stories when statistics fail to support their point.”, would you provide documentation for the following claim you made in your comment:
“With regard to hysterectomies, millions of women are thrilled with their results.”
If you believe there is merit to the claims you make in your comments would you identify yourself and not hide behind “Anonymous”.
Nora W. Coffey, President
HERS Foundation
Anonymous said…
CASE IN POINT #1. Gardisill, for woman, slogan “one less”
notice that the end of the product name ends in “ill”
Only if you spell it wrong….
auditory phonetics is concerned with speech perception: How sound is received by the inner ear and perceived by the brain.
GARDASIL
Phonetically the word Gardasil would be perceived as:
Guard-us-ill
Gardasil
Spelling correction
Mattie
Freudian slip. I meant to say
PROSTATE cancer.
My question is, why aren’t the penis and testicles of teenage boys and young men being mutilated and amputated at the same rate and by the same recommendations being made by the medical profession to females regarding their sex organs?
All males have the possibility of developing prostrate cancer at some time in their lives!
Statistics show that the rate of sex organ cancers are almost identical in males and females.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs!!!!
To Anonymous of August 19, 2008 11:43 PM
Specifically, your statement …quote,
‘With regard to hysterectomies, millions of women are thrilled with their results.’
I suggest to you that any woman who is thrilled with the results of having hysterectomy surgery and castration, which includes surgery by transecting (to cut across; dissect transversely) the round ligaments, incising (to cut into) the anterior leaf of the broad ligament along the bladder, dissecting (to cut apart) the bladder off the lower uterine segment (displacing the bladder from its natural position and causing injury), severing the uterine arteries, transecting the uterosacral ligaments and cardinal ligaments, amputating the uterus and cervix, sewing up the vagina into a closed pocket, leaving said ligaments hanging in a women’s pelvic cavity (compromising pelvic support), leaving an empty hole for the bowel to shift down into (displacing the natural position of the bowel), severing all the nerves from the genital area to the internal sex organs and spine, and amputating ovaries which causes increased risk for heart attacks, osteoporosis, dementia, etc., and which causes sexual dysfunction, should be referred to councilling or psychotherapy as early as possible.
If you feel this is a healthy attitude to have towards this most often unnecessary mutilation to females, then, respectfully, I strongly suggest you seek some councelling also, and quickly.
These types of mutilating surgeries are often recommended to young women …
‘to prevent the possibility of cervical or other cancers occuring in these organs later in life'(as was done in my case).
No one needs to be scared of Cancer any more. There are too many success stories for anyone to be claiming to be ignorant of the vast numbers being healed by natural, non-invasive, non-harmful, gentle methods. I personally have experienced and know too many people who have been wonderfully successful with cancer and other major illness cures to be able to be swayed by the nonsense being touted by people like you and the OB/GYNs.
Yes, BOYCOTT the OB/GYNs!
I agree with the post above saying natural health modalities are far superior to legal gynecological butchery by deceit!
I also find it ridiculous that a gynecological predator is on this web site trying to use their false information on woman educated about their female organs. Like their moronic dribble will still work after we have been mutilated something like “you needed the surgery, you had the surgery, don’t make an ass out of me, my practice can’t afford it.
News flash: To any predator gynecologist or doctor aiming to use false information concerning gynecological misinformation
You are on the wrong web site.
Remember where you are, no future victims here.
The HERS Foundation is an independent non-profit international women’s health education organization. It provides full, accurate information about hysterectomy, its adverse effects and alternative treatments.
Mattie
“Boycott Gynecologists”
I am fortunate in that I’ve not have any gynecological problems and I’ve never had to deal with the decision regarding this procedure. However, my very good friend, CT, who posts on here often told me her story last night and what she faces on a daily basis as well as her alarming story in the hospital. I wanted to let her and all of you know that I have now been educated. And I will educate others. I’m so sorry this has happened to so many of you. Before your surgeries, I wish you had the knowledge I now have. Although your battle is daily and it’s overwhelming, you are a blessing to so many of your friends and family members in sharing your story and getting the word out. You are little angels here to spread the word to the rest of us to try to prevent these staggering and alarming numbers from continuing. I’m so sorry your battle is so hard that many of you often feel depressed or even suicidal. I would never want to lose my friend, CT, to this harm that’s been caused to her. I can only hope that everyday, she can mentally and emotionally try to fight past this and come to some sort of peace and happiness as her life moves forward – I wish this for the rest of you as well.
AA
Why do OB/GYNs not just tell their patients,
‘I don’t know what to do to stop the bleeding from your fibroids and so I suggest you seek some alternative solutions from Holistic and other health practitioners. Try the internet to research your health issue because all I can offer you is to cut out your female sex organs and know of nothing that is going to relieve the traumatic after effects of this permanent surgery. Oh, and by the way, I don’t know of anyone who was ever cured of cancer, and so because there is a chance that you may get cancer at some point in your life post surgery, I recommend that I remove your ovaries, uterus and cervix, shorten your vagina and sew it into a closed pocket.’
How can anyone in the health profession or medical industry not know that every day people are being CURED from CANCER, including MALIGNANT MELANOMA SKIN CANCER, and other malignant cancers by using methots other than surgery???
The website of Dr Day is a good example. Here is someone who sought alternatives to surgery, and cured her own terminal malignant breast cancer! There are photos of her breast cancer on her website. Just type in the search section, the words ‘DrDay’ and her site will come up instantly.
Dr. Day’s website offers help and information to others.
What excuse can the medical profession have to be claiming ignorance on the CANCER CURES!!!!
There is the internet and no one has an excuse for not knowing about the many, varied, gentle healing modalities available to everyone for cancer and a host of other major diseases.
Each of us is different, and each of us needs to find the natural CURE that is applicable to us, individually. One remedy does not cure everyone.
In today’s hectic lifestyle, where no one wants to take the time to do the necessary research, they choose the quick fix instead. Only problem is, they fix nothing, they just end up with more health issues than they started with, before accepting the spoken nonsense from the OB/GYN whom they trust to have done the necessary research. The only research they are doing is to make sure you can pay for their surgery!
I have personally known and also met people who are so happy to tell of their successful journey having sought alternatives to surgery, to prevent and CURE CANCER.
For OB/GYNs to be using the CANCER SCARE TACTIC to amputate the sex organs from female teenagers and young women is what should be alarming the medical profession.
But no, instead they want to silence anyone who is exposing the lies and deceit involved.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNs!!!
“Yes”
Mattie
Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital
The lie and cover up concerning gynecologists legally tricking women is so sick that my mind can’t grasp the depth of how mentally sick these legal criminals are to be able to do this to another human being. But I will fight to my last breath of life on this planet to save my sisters in humanity from suffering a legal gynecological sex organ amputation and castration by deceit, it is so heinous.
I consider the attack on me by the gynecologist a sexual mutilation, because it was. The attack was very similar to the sexual mutilation everyone is so concerned about in Africa, the only differences are:
1. I was not in the jungle in Africa, I was in, The Woman’s and Babies Hospital, Lancaster PA. U.S.A.
2. The damage not complications I am suffering are medically more severe.
Mattie
Dear Nora Coffey,
Thank you so much for your explication about the economic facts of hysterectomy and female castration.
Greed for money is the only reason of all the harm caused by unnecessary amputation of female organs.
And it is so important to use the correct words:
CASTRATION
and NOT “surgical menopause”
Consequences of CASTRATION
and NOT “menopause”
AMPUTATION of sexual reproductive organs
and NOT hysterectomy/oophorectomy
People all over the world are communicating with words. False words and false traduction misleads communication!
So many women are misinformed and misleaded by the wrong terms, by the wrong words, by the wrong traduction!
In this century this is a SHAME!
femica – Austrian support group for hysterectomized and castrated women
If you have a cavity, a dentist fixes it, he does not amputate all your teeth, your tongue and your lips. Orthopaedic surgeons repair torn ACL’s, they do not amputate your limbs, hands or feet because of a tear. Podiatrists remove warts, they do not amputate your feet to get rid of the wart. However, Criminal Predator Gynecologists amputate women’s sex organs and cause extensive damage in their pelvic area, and they do not fix anything. There is simply no logical comparison. So yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYNS until they learn how to fix things, and not mutilate and destroy women’s bodies.
To the doctor who is so sympathetic about genital mutilation in other countries. Please explain how performing a hysterectomy and castration, by transecting (to cut across; dissect transversely) the round ligaments, incising (to cut into) the anterior leaf of the broad ligament along the bladder, dissecting (to cut apart) the bladder off the lower uterine segment (displacing the bladder from its natural position and causing injury), severing the uterine arteries, transecting the uterosacral ligaments and cardinal ligaments, amputating the uterus and cervix, sewing up the vagina into a closed pocket, leaving said ligaments hanging in a women’s pelvic cavity (compromising pelvic support), leaving an empty hole for the bowel to shift down into (displacing the natural position of the bowel), severing all the nerves from the genital area to the internal sex organs and spine, and amputating ovaries which causes increased risk for heart attacks, osteoporosis, dementia, etc., and which causes sexual dysfunction, is not barbaric female mutilation? This barbaric mutilation has been done to nearly 50% of the women in the United States by deception. Please tell me why that is okay?
Now if you REALLY want to get spun up about something, why not pick something that IS truly barbaric, like genital mutilation as practiced by some religious sects in the Middle East.
This IS a practice carried out by mysogenists with the sole goal of ruining women’s sex lives. To equate that with hysterectomy palliates the true suffering at the hands of butchers these poor girls must endure.
I had no complications from my surgery, and I am not miserable. I was lied to and deceived by my OB/GYN and I want to warn others about this danger!…
Let me repeat, I am sounding a WARNING to let everyone know the deceit and lies being used by the OB/GYNs to remove the female sex organs, as was done to me.
Obviously I’m missing something. Exactly WHAT danger are you referring to?
I can’t wrap my head around what you seem to be saying: “I needed surgery, I had it, it worked, I’m fine and it’s the worst thing that ever happened to me. And oh, by the way, all OB/GYN’s are deceitful butchers.”
Do you REALLY believe OB/GYN’s perform hysterectomies for fun and profit and for no other reason? Really?
Are other surgeons in other specialties similarly barbarous, cutting up people willie-nillie to make a buck, or is it just that all the mysogenistic physicians go into gynecology and the rest of the medical profession is pretty safe?
If you follow the argument of this blog to its logical conclusion, this is where you end up. I am not being casual, I am bringing balance and a voice of reason to an otherwise hysterical (I used that word on purpose) blog.
To Anonymous of August 19, 2008 11:43 PM
Here we go again.
Just what do you mean when you use the word ‘hysterectomy’?
Is that the one where you only remove the uterus from an 80 year old female? Or the one where you remove the two ovaries, uterus and cervix from a teenage girl and sew her vagina into a pocket? Or which of the other delightful assorted variety of ‘husterectomy’ do you refer?
To use the word so casually, (as done in the quote below’, without defining which female sex organs are being referred to, only continues the confusion and gives the strong impression that the poster of that quote is also a part of the medical industry and is attempting to ‘cover’ for the OB/GYNs.
I had no complications from my surgery, and I am not miserable. I was lied to and deceived by my OB/GYN and I want to warn others about this danger!
We posters to this blog are caring, concerned women who do not want to see the lies and deceit continue and for this to happen to one more woman. All we are doing is sounding the danger bell!
I get a great deal of satisfaction and contentment and peace from my efforts to help other innocent women and families. One woman was posted here as having rejected hysterectomy surgery and is happy with that decision, based on the information on this website.
THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY AND I REJOICE WITH HER AND HER FAMILY!!!
Also, my OB/GYN did not tell me …
‘With regard to hysterectomies, millions of women are thrilled with their results. Some not so much, and some, clearly, are miserable’.
My OB/GYN gave me no hint that anything other than a ‘normal life’ would be expected, if there were no surgical complications. I had no surgical complications.
Let me repeat, I am sounding a WARNING to let everyone know the deceit and lies being used by the OB/GYNs to remove the female sex organs, as was done to me.
Clearly you have not read all the blogs on this site and the other HERS blogs from your questions.
This blog is not a kid’s playground or playpen. This is real life and real people’s lives that are being treated so casually by the OB/GYNs and casual vague comments like yours do not do this site the honor and justice it so richly deserves.
Yes, I repeat,
BOYCOTT OB/GYNs!
Maybe you should have your sex organs amputated by a gynecologist by deceit, then you can be thrilled too!
How exactly is my gynecologist going to deceive me?
Anonymous said…
“With regard to hysterectomies, millions of women are thrilled with their results”
Maybe you should have your sex organs amputated by a gynecologist by deceit, then you can be thrilled too!
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s if you want to keep your sex organs.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s if you want to keep your sex organs.
Great idea! And while we’re at it, let’s boycott dentists if we want to keep our cavities. And let’s boycott orthopaedic surgeons if we want to keep our torn ACL’s. And boycott podiatrists if we want to keep our plantars warts! Heck, let’s boycott the whole medical community! THEY’RE ALL OUT TO GET US TO MAKE A BUCK! RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!
I in no way mean to discount the pain and suffering some women experience as a result of complications from surgery. I am saddened every time I hear a story of unplanned unforseen surgical complications.
And I rejoice every time I hear a story from a person who has a successful surgery that has improved their quality of life.
Want to take a guess which stories I hear more often?
The thing people sometimes forget is that complications are just that –complications. They are not the norm.
With regard to hysterectomies, millions of women are thrilled with their results. Some not so much, and some, clearly, are miserable.
Complications happen in other surgeries too. Sometimes people have back surgery and wind up in more pain than when they started. Sometimes they feel better than they have in 20 years. Again… want to guess which one happens most often?
.
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I see a lot of posters here like to throw out ‘statistics’ when it suits them and annectdotal stories when statistics fail to support their point. But these things cut both ways. Someone brought up the “statistic” of ovarian failure after surgery but no one has answered the question of the number of women whose ovaries recover and begin to function normally after a brief period of disfunction. People here talk about the vast number of women who are unhappy after their hysterectomies but no one mentiones the greater number of people who are happy with their results. Why is that?
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And I stand by what I said earlier. Thinking that people perform harmful surgeries for fun and profit, preying on unsuspecting victims by deceit and empty promises… well that’s just sick.
Surgeons have wives too. Is someone going to try to demonstrate that the wives of gynecologists have a lower incidence of hysterectomy because their husbands know it’s just a scam? Or are gynecologists equally prepared to “mutilate” their wives as they are the unsuspecting public? And what about female gynecologists? Are they betraying the sisterhood by “mutilating” patients at random? Really. There are plenty of other legitimate public-health-minded ways gynecologists can make money; they don’t have to invent them.
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I firmly believe that we bear responsibility for our bodies. It is up to us to learn about them, learn what is reasonable, what is not, how our bodies work, learn what is possible, what is not, be able to ask questions and keep asking until we are satisified we understand the answers; and since the best decision is an informed one, it is up to us to gather the information.
To this end, the HERS Foundation provides a service in teaching about options that a woman may not be aware of. It is clear in its biases and does not claim to provide balance. I do think it is a shame, however, that the “all gynecologists are butchers” mindset is so pervasive here because it can make a woman feel unnecessary guilt over her procedure and it clearly allows women to feed on the discontent of others, wallowing in paranoia and a misanthropy of breathtaking depths.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s if you want to keep your sex organs.
.A doctor that lied to me and my husband and just cut all my healthy organs out without my consent or knowledge.
You had surgery without your consent? What country do you live in?
CASE IN POINT #1. Gardisill, for woman, slogan “one less”
notice that the end of the product name ends in “ill”
Only if you spell it wrong….
Soon the whole world will know and understand what gynecologists are doing to women. How they are hideously removing their sex organs with lies and deception.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s if you want to keep your sex organs.
I recently saw a post on a popular message board from a lady in her fifties who was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She was asking for other’s opinions because her doctor told her she needed a total hysterectomy with only an ovarian cyst. When she asked her doctor why he couldn’t just remove the cyst, his response was that at her age, there was no way he was just going in there for the cyst. Case in point, these doctors are lying and deceiving women to remove their sex organs without any medical justification. This type of story is seen over and over on message boards.
Yes, BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s if you want to keep your sex organs.
MENOPAUSE
The other brainwashing used by OB/GYNs is the Menopause word.
They used the words ‘Surgical Menopause’ to describe how I would feel after the removal of both my ovaries, uterus and cervix at age 24.
In other words, the ‘brainwashing’ is the subtle suggestion that ‘Surgical Menopause’ may have a beginning and an ending.
Well, speaking from my own personal experience, this is totally false, and I have no doubt every OB/GYN knows this. If they do not, then they have no right to have their license.
You see, to experience any kind of Menopause, you would need to have all your sex organs intact, and gradually go through the natural ageing process where your female body changes with age.
Menopause is a part of the NATURAL ageing process. It has a beginning and an identifiable end when your body stops producing eggs.
There is no such thing as ‘Surgical Menopause’ and this is just a figment of the overactive imaginations of the OB/GYNs!
Sorry OB/GYNs, you know you are talking nonsense, and you know you are lying when you talk about ‘Surgical Menopause’ and dare to compare it to natural Menopause.
You treat your adult female patients as though they were kindergarten babies. And you get away with it because too many of us are uninformed about our female sex organs and their functions.
We expect you, with all your degrees and licenses, to help to educate us when we have a female medical issue and consult you for medical help.
Instead, most if not all of you have chosen instead to deceive us for the love of money!!!
I am now 60 years old, having gone through what your profession describe to be – ‘Surgical Menopause’.
Let me educate you and let you know that the ability of my body to cope with the trauma of the unnecessary removal of my sex organs at age 24 has only been more and more traumatic with each passing year.
As I age, and my body is less and less able to cope with the stress it is being put through because of this heinous surgery, there is no relief in sight, with the ageing process.
My body’s ability to cope without these essential female sex organs only gets worse with age, not better.
Ladies, BOYCOTT the OB/GYNs!!!
Anonymous said: “I can’t imagine going through life believing an entire segment of society’s sole goal was to mutilate women and ruin families. What a sick view of the world I’d have to have -to believe this.” I could never have imagined such a sick world either until a couple years ago when a doctor amputated my uterus, cervix and ovaries with no medical justification. A doctor that lied to me and my husband and just cut all my healthy organs out without my consent or knowledge. That’s unbelievably sick. I still find it hard to believe that this is going on in the United States, and I find it ridiculous that someone can ignore all the facts and post a sentence saying they can’t believe it. I yet to hear one of you doctors comment about the nearly 50% of the population of women in the United States that this has been done to. Before any of you make any more of your silly comments, please address first why nearly 50% of the women in the United States do not have sex organs and why that is okay?
Anonymous said: “How many poor and struggling OB/GYN’s do you know?” Take away their 650,000 unnecessary hysterectomies a year, and you’ll be able to find a lot of them who are poor and struggling. Thanks for making our point.
The gynecologists start women very young believing that they are a ticking time bomb. Women are told from an early age they need to be checked for cancer every year, like it is a cancer waiting to happen to every woman. How often do you hear that only 2% of the female population is affected.
CASE IN POINT #1. Gardisill, for woman, slogan “one less”
notice that the end of the product name ends in “ill”
Just watch a television advertisement for Gardisill and look how young the girl is in the advertisement with her mother in the murky background. The advertisement states very ominously repeatedly, “Gardisill, “One Less”…”One Less”…”One Less”. They are not saying one less than the 2% of the female population who actually get cancer, why not?
It is clearly a blatant scare tactic aimed at woman of every age. Even though the rate of female and male sexual organ cancer is exactly the same, men are not checked for sexual organ cancer, every year since puberty. One third of the female population in the U.S.A, 22 Million women, don’t have their sex organ anymore and only 2% of that number actually had proven cancer.
CASE IN POINT # 2. Avodart, slogan to promote the male product: “It’s our job to shrink it”
Again compare the ending of the product name “dart” like a dart in a bulls-eye they will save the mans sex organ.
Upwardly mobile looking men in their fifties and sixties taking a bike ride on a sunny day, laughing all the way. One stops to use the bathroom along the way and the advertisement states how lucky a man is to be taking Avodart because it SHRINKS the prostate gland, so the man does not have to have his sex organ, prostate gland, amputated. At the end of the advertisement it states very clearly that woman can not even touch or handle the, Avodart Pill, because they can have side effects even from touching it.
Is this blatant enough for you?
Look at the ridiculous (laughable when you are educated about it) printed medical misinformation the gynecologists of this country are legally able to provide women before they amputate their sex organs by deceit and sew their vagina into a closed pocket. Look at the American statistics for proven female sex organ cancer 2% and quota met yearly of over 650,000.00 women hysterectomized and castrated. Compare the statistics and the information and you will be convinced, if you are intelligent enough, that something is drastically wrong.
If a gynecologist or doctor speaks out publicly against the heinous legal crime of hysterectomy and castration by deceit they will be black-balled and their career will be ended, but they all know it is an epidemic. I have been told by a doctor in private that they would be black-balled if they spoke out publicly about hysterectomy and castration by deceit.
Mattie
Its the love of money that makes them do it.
How many poor and struggling OB/GYN’s do you know?
I can’t imagine going through life believing an entire segment of society’s sole goal was to mutilate women and ruin families.
What a sick view of the world I’d have to have -to believe this.
To all predator gynecologists: You may have sewn my vagina together, but you did not sew my mouth together.
Not only do these doctors attack us, they attack our whole family. I’ve recalled so many times of the doctor standing their lying to me and my husband, and him looking at my husband knowing he was forever going to change his life, on top of mutilating me. These doctors are very sick and they are good at tricking people. We were both duped believing we could trust the doctor and that he would do the right thing. It’s sad. I wish I would have had access to the internet the night I was in the hospital. I’ve often thought back, why didn’t I ask for access to a computer? But I never thought of that at the time because I couldn’t imagine that a whole hospital staff could be railroading me, and following the orders of a predator doctor. Easy to see now, hard to see then.
CT said…”This year the gynecologists will again fill their quota for over 650,000 hysterectomies and they will do it to unsuspecting women in their 20’s and 30’s.”
I agree CT and it is a silly argument but a very cruel and astonishing factual argument.
What woman in her right mind of any age would consent to a hysterectomy/sex organ removal or castration after being given the accurate medical information? I know I would not and did not consent to what the gynecologist has done to me for a benign condition using cancer scare tactics and deceit.
Women being given the correct medical information in “The Female Anatomy” video will end the “status quo” for over 650,000 hysterectomies and castrations performed yearly in the U.S.A.
There is no doubt that the number of hysterectomies and castrations in the U.S.A would plummet to the 2% being performed for proven cancer before the de-sexing if women were given “informed consent”.
What could it hurt to give women and their husbands the correct medical information before a gynecologist removes a woman’s sex organs? The only answer is that it would hurt the bank accounts of the gynecologists, medical industry and the pharmaceutical industry.
Every single medical fact on the “Female Anatomy” video is the accurate medical information and can not be disputed.
Enough is enough when one-third of the female population of a country has no sex organs. Dateline and 20/20 are airing programs about women being raped in the Congo in Africa but not airing this….WHY? The women of the U.S.A deserve the correct medical information about sex organ removal and castration.
I have already been harmed by this horrific atrocity and most days I wish I was dead already but I am not dead I am alive. Deceived, maimed and tortured and suffering beyond the limits of inhumanity by the hands of the gynecologists of this country, but still alive to tell the truth about it.
Mattie
Sometimes the truth is negative. We did not make up this barbaric surgery, nor did we do this to ourselves. It’s unbelievable that anyone could say anything positive about having their sex organs removed, being castrated and sexually mutilated. If you had cancer and it was a life-saving procedure, it would be sad enough, but when it is totally unnecessary, how could any reasonable thinking person think it’s positive? These doctors have created a myth about this surgery that is totally false, and they’ve gotten women to fall for it by the millions. This is a criminal act committed against women for profit. This year the gynecologists will again fill their quota for over 650,000 hysterectomies and they will do it to unsuspecting women in their 20’s and 30’s. If men’s sex organs were being amputated at over 650,000 per year, and men were complaining about the side effects, there would be no silly argument about it.
For those who think this blog is all ‘negative’ energy, and we victims just need to ‘get over it’ and move on with our lives.
I would like to remind you that no movement for ‘change’ ever began with everyone agreeing that the status quo was ‘OK’.
Slavery would not have been abolished and women would still not have a vote in the USA had everyone kept quiet and accepted the status quo.
We are not being negative. We are saying what has been done to us is criminal! We have given the reasons why.
So far, no one has heard us and therefore we will keep speaking out against this crime until something is done to stop it.
This could happen to your wife, your mother, your sister, your neice, your aunt, your own daughter… …
Please help us to stop this before it ruins more lives.
If I was to compare how I feel sexually now to how a man would feel-It feels like I had my penis cut off.
I have one ovary, I feel like a man would feel with no penis and one testicle hanging inside his withered painful damaged scrotum. I am in pain and self-esteem and physical health in shambles.
“Informed consent laws are not enforced in the United States. There is no major media outlet reporting this crime”. This isn’t just from OB/GYN’s by the way. All doctors can get away with this. It is just more excepted by OB/GYN’s. If our rights are taken away at this point in time, what will happen down the road? Will our lives be taken away next, Oh Ya I forgot, my life as it was, has been taken away already. People need to be informed!! Laws have to be passed. Things will get worse if something isn’t done. Talk to everyone you know about this crime.
“Female Teamsters” you are being targeted by the gynecologists of the U.S.A.
If you are a “Teamster” read all of the correct medical information on the “Hers Foundation” web site to protect yourself and your family.
Sign the petition at “Hers Foundation” to end un-consented, un-warranted Hysterectomy-ie: Sex Organ Removal and Castration-ie: Removal of the Female Ovaries.
“No Information, No Consent”
Gynecologists of the U.S.A are legally amputating one third of the females sex organs systematically with no medical basis legally for profit.
There are….No Laws….to protect you from this attack by Gynecologists.
Look on the internet to see if you can find any law suits that were filed or won by women who were given a hysterectomy/sex organ removal or castration by a Gynecologist using false medical information and no medical basis.
The statistics proven by the medical records on file of One-Third of the female population hysterectomized don’t lie. Only 2 percent of the 22 Million women alive today surviving without their sex organs actually had cancer, the remainder were lied to.
There are so few law suits ever filed and won that it is almost impossible to even find one on the computer regarding hysterectomy/sex organ removal and castration. That is because it is almost impossible to sue a Gynecologist for giving you false information and removing a womans sexual organs for no medical reason without her informed consent.
“Female Teamsters” protect yourself, we need all of the good Teamsters intact to do our work. We need all of the “Teamsters” wives intact to function as the partners of our “teamster” men.
“Teamsters Boycott Gynecologists”
A law must be passed to protect you from being targeted by the Gynecologists of the U.S.A for profit.
I was offered a “total hysterectomy” and I refused it, but woke up without my uterus, ovaries and cervix. To a gynecologist, “no” means “yes”. I learned that you don’t have to agree to it to end up without your organs. Gynecologists have immunity from criminal laws in the United States. They can do whatever they want to a woman without any medical basis, and there is no law against it.
HYSTERECTOMY
The word ‘Hysterectomy’ is now included in any description (by many if not all OB/GYNs) regarding the removal of the female sex organs, such as the uterus, cervix and/or ovaries.
We all, like good little sheep, talk about our ‘hysterectomy’, or ‘total hysterectomy’, baaa baaa baaa
So you see, the OB/GYNs have successfully accomplished sufficient confusion in the use of the word HYSTERECTOMY and TOTAL HYSTERECTOMY among all of us that the OB/GYNs will gradually make the word CASTRATION disappear from the medical dictionary!
It really bothers me when we women who have been so violated in every way by these dishonest OB/GYNs still keep posting on this blog that we had:
a ‘hysterectomy’ or
a ‘total hysterectomy’.
What do we mean?
THIS ‘Total Hysterectomy’ disguise for what is actually medical ‘Castration’ is INTENTIONAL CONFUSION BEING CREATED BY THE OB/GYNs and the medical profession generally.
They intentionally want us to use some type of ‘Hysterectomy’ and/or ‘Total Hysterectomy’ terminology interchangeably to make it easier for them to remove our ovaries under the disguise of ‘total hysterectomy’.
CASTRATION and HYSTERECTOMY do not have the same MEDICAL meaning and these OB/GYNs know it!
PLEASE, PLEASE, can we just state precisely what body parts were removed when we post on this blog? This will stop us feeding into the OB/GYN game plan!!
These super caring and oh so sensitive OB/GYNs who don’t want to offend our female sensitive natures know very well that none of us would want to be CASTRATED!!!
So, now all they do is just offer to give us a nice little ‘total hysterectomy’ and we go, baaa baaa baaaa
How cute!
TEAMSTERS “Welcome To The United States Of America”
TEAMSTERS HEALTH AND WELFARE FUND
Teamsters Insurance paid the gynecologist practice to deceive me and my wife and ruin my wife’s health by removing her uterus, her sex organ by lying all the way to the bank.
This was all done by the gynecologist using lies because the gynecologists know “Teamsters Health And Welfare Fund” pays FAST for these Hysterectomies and doesn’t ask any questions.
One in Three Wives of men working as a Teamsters have no uterus, no sex organ.
TEAMSTERS WARN THE MEN YOU WORK WITH
Have the men you work with read the truth about what a hysterectomy really is at “Hers Foundation” and warn the women you love.
TEAMSTERS…”Boycott Gynecologists”
At the current rate, it will take less than 20 years for gynecologists to hysterectomize and castrate 22 million more women. Boycott gynecologists!!!!!
Welcome to the United States of America, the Hysterectomy Capitol of the World! If you are a woman, and an American Citizen, you will most likely NOT live your life out with your female organs. You have only about a 50% chance of keeping your uterus, cervix and ovaries in the United States. The other 50% will be deceived, lied to, and put under anesthesia so a surgeon can remove their sex organs. Every year, 500-1000 of those women will die during surgery or following the surgery from complications. If we were to invite all the women in the United States who do not have their uterus to get together, we would have to find a stadium that holds over 22 million women. Every year, the quota of 650,000 hysterectomies is satisfied. An American Woman does not have to consent to this surgery to end up without her uterus, cervix and ovaries. Informed consent laws are not enforced in the United States. There is no major media outlet reporting this crime. Welcome to the United States of America!
To anonymous with fibroids,
Fibroids are benign growths of muscle and connective tissue that grow until you reach menopause. Then they slowly and gradually shrink to a negligible size, at which time they will be small and calcified.
The average size of the uterus including fibroids in the late thirties to early forties is a ten to twelve week pregnancy size (about 13cm in the largest dimension), in the middle forties fourteen to sixteen weeks is average (about 17cm in the largest dimension), and in the late forties to early fifties eighteen to twenty weeks is average (about 21cm in the largest dimension).
Fibroids have two rapid growth spurts that are natural, predictable, and not a cause for alarm. The first rapid growth spurt is in the late thirties to early forties. Then you have a few years of slower growth. Right before you go through menopause, when you have the hormone changes associated with the beginning of menopause, you have the second and last rapid growth spurt. Then the fibroids slowly and gradually shrink to a negligible size.
You develop all of the new fibroids you are going to have in your 30’s you do not develop new fibroids in your 40’s.
Both estrogens and progesterone stimulate fibroid growth. Many women use the so called “natural” progesterone yam cream that promoters claim shrinks fibroids, but in fact it makes them grow.
Fibroids are not a disease, they are your genetic blueprint. If you can live with the symptoms it would probably be better than unnecessary intervention of any kind. If you cannot live with the symptoms a myomectomy is a reasonable option. You never need a hysterectomy for fibroids unless you have the wrong doctor. If a doctor tells you that you have too many fibroids, they’re too large, or they’re in a location that makes myomectomy impossible you’re going to a doctor who doesn’t have the skill to perform the surgery. There is no such thing as fibroids that are too numerous, too large, or in a location where they can’t be removed if the doctor has the skill.
My fibroids make me look like I’m 9 months pregnant. I only weighed 120 before they started to show, so it’s very prominent and I am asked almost daily when I’m going to have my baby.
I am terrified of hysterectomy, for more reasons than the ones I’m hearing here (although this website sure reinforces my belief!) — I literally think it’s so high-risk it could kill me at this point because of their size.
My false hopes that they would just disappear when I have menopause have been shattered; they seldom disappear if they’ve got this big.
I’m taking a bunch of over the counter stuff that is supposed to help matters, but have not stuck to anything like a consistent eating regime to go along with it.
I wish I could hear just one proven-to-be-true story of a woman who shrunk her fibroids at this stage. I’d like to think it’s possible.
Meanwhile, it’s been a long and humbling six years (since the fibroids began to grow rapidly — I had known about them for six year prior to that but they didn’t seem to grow at all and I was choosing to IGNORE them! Who could have told me this would happen — nobody.)
It helps to know I am not alone but all the stories of regret after the fact greatly sadden me. My heart goes out to you, and thank you for speaking up for the rest of us.
I am 31 yrs old & had a total hystorectomy in 4/03. I never had any problem loosing weight before my surgury. Is this common? I am feeling depressed & frustrated, as I was a size 6 and now a size 12. Will my inability to loose weight ever go away?
I am a Stage 3B Cervical Cancer Survivor. I was 28 when I was diagnosed with advanced Cervical Cancer and my story is a long, painful & inspiring one. Cervical Cancer is not talked about but it touches the lives of every single woman out there. We need to start talking about this cancer because it is not rare and it does kill.
For the women who are close to suicide, please call Hers and they will give you some names of women that will email you and help you get through some of the pain you are going through. We can’t make you well, but we are here for you.
We all know what you are going through and it is very hard when people don’t believe you or think you are crazy. It is not you, but what has been taken from you.
I too wanted to end my life after my hysterectomy/castration, but I still had children to raise and that is what got me through and I thank God that I didn’t take my life because even with all the side-effects and the pain, life is still beautiful. I have a beautiful Grandson that I love and now he will get me through the pain.
We are all here for you so please let us help. I hope God will watch over you and make you stronger each day so you are able to tolerate what your doctor did to you. It is such a shame that we are left to live on without our organs and the doctors are left with money in their pockets.
I often feel suicidal too. This has totally ruined my life. It’s very hard to live this way. Being castrated and mutilated after being lied to is a daily nightmare. These doctors are committing a heinous crime upon women and hiding behind their licenses and white coats. Someone asked before: What kind of man removes women’s sex organs for a living? Sick, it’s all so sick.
I wish I had found you sooner. I had an H (I can’t even say the word) 8 months ago. Ovaries still intact, but I think I am going thru menopause anyway. My life feels like it is over. I HATE ob/gyns and think they are a pox on society. My life is ruined (though she told me it would be SOOOO much better). I guess she is laughing all the way to the bank since she wants to dismiss my problems now. I would give anything to go back to the day before surgery. To say I am close to suicidal is putting it mildly. This is no way to live. So what do I do now?
To the person who was diagnosed with fibroids 8 years ago. It is good that you listened to your instincts and canceled the surgery. I see from your post that your doctor, just like most of the rest, didn’t offer you any alternatives. If your bleeding is excessive, you may want to call the HERS Foundation for more assistance. I don’t know anyone personally who has their body parts who has tried holistic medicine, but since the hysterectomy/castration, I have found help with holistic medicine. I think most women don’t think about that until after it’s too late, but if you could get help balancing your system back out, that may very well end your bleeding problems. Good luck to you. Let us know how you are doing!
Starting in September 2008, the talkshow host Dr. Phil’s website tells of his son’s NEW upcoming week-day daily show featuring a panel of doctors,including an OB/GYN who will answer questions as well as give their opinions on current news items related to our everyday happenings.
Lets send in our questions early.
About 8 yrs ago I was diagnosed with a uterine fibroid, which is why I have severe pain and very heavy bleeding. Four yrs ago I was scheduled to meet with a surgeon for complete hysterectomy (my doc told me to take out ovaries, since menopause will cause them to stop functioning and to prevent ovarian cancer.)Well, I was scared & cancelled appt. I'm 45 and have been dealing with this for 8 years!Today I bled so much & that's scary, too! The bleeding is getting worse these past 4 months. Anyways, I no longer have insurance. I watched the HERS video, and I don't like the idea of cutting all the ligaments, nerves, etc. leaving me with no support!!! I read someone's comment suggesting homeopathy and I'll try that. Has anyone with bleeding uterine fibroids been helped with homeopathic treatment?
Ahhh haaa, so now I understand why they are targeting younger and younger women. Even the teenagers are fair game now!
After these sex-organ surgeries, it is just not a matter of losing one’s sex drive, or simply not feeling well, or having low energy.
You lose your identity.
You do not recoginize ‘you’.
Your body is functioning in chaos, and your mind, body and soul struggle with each other, as each one individually struggles to stay alive every minute of every day.
‘Insanity’ is the quick label if one is not discriminating enough to know the difference.
I’m convinced too many women have been thrown into asylums and been medicated under the label of ‘insane’ in order to control them after these surgeries. Their bodies could not cope with this trauma, they are unable to explain, and the OB/GYN’s and medical profession as a whole are laughing all the way to the bank!
Isn’t it strange that we never hear about research money being available to investigate these after effects.
Yet, our ovaries, eggs, uterus, cervix etc. are being torn from our bodies with indecent haste.
Now that the Dr. Phil show (with OB/GYN Dr. Masterson)in July 2008 revealed that there are surgeries now being performed to attach uterus’s removed from live women or cadivers, into the bodies of live people, do you STILL wonder what the medical industry have been doing with all our female sex organs and eggs which they have removed from our bodies over the years?
Where do you think they got the sex organs to PRACTICE with?
Where do you think they got the eggs they are happy to sell to willing buyers?
When my OB/GYN told me that:
… … apart from needing to take Hormone Replacement Therapy after removal of my 2 ovaries, uterus and cervix life would be essentialy the same for me.
I remember thinking, that does not sound logical. How can it be possible for me to lose such essential body parts and it not be devastating?
Bottom line, I trusted my OB/GYN!
Now, after my surgery, I can confirm that what he told me was not logical. It was also not truthful.
What the OB/GYN said is actually laughable.
Unfortunately, the only person laughing now is the OB/GYN running all the way to the bank.
Anyone who does not take the time now, BEFORE SURGERY, to read every blog on this page, and every blog on the other HERS blogs on this website, (along with all HERS info available), has only themselves to blame.
I wish I had known about HERS before my surgery.
Circular logic.
I love that concept.
There is no circular logic in OB/GYN’s convincing women they will not suffer the same or worse consequences in female castration, as men do with male castration.
Same as
If a man had his nerves and major blood supply cut off to his testicles and complained of sexual problems, no one would be trying to have a silly debate over it.
End of argument.
Right now I feel like an idiot, I am educated about my female organs and I don’t have any and it has ruined my life.
Mattie
to bleeding 24/7,
Please, please, please listen to these women and to me. All bleeding will eventually stop. I wish I had found this site before that doctor had completely ruined my life 4 years ago. I wish I had known that the bleeding would eventually stop on its own. Then I would still be the independent, fun loving, active woman and mother I once was. Not this shell that exists that is constantly reminded every day of what was done to me for what greed and the love of money. I wasn’t told of other options nor of the “minor and rare complication” of not being able to pee on my own for the rest of my life and having to self cath and having now my eighth surgery to have bladder stimulators in my buttocks and wires in my back to stimulate the bladder and yes right now this is my only option unless I want to self cath all the time or take meds that I had terrible side effects from and still had to cath anyway. I am constantly reminded everyday whether it is by cathing or merely trying to get into a store with metal detectors that I must avoid or receive a terrible shock or maybe cause the wires to move and another surgery to fix them. I already have to have surgery every few years to replace the devices once the battery dies out. Noone is telling you that noone should have a hysterectomy we are just trying to let you know that you should make sure that it is your only option. you say that you are willing to take the side effects if you can have some quality of life. Funny I wish I could have not had the surgery and I would have a quality of life and a sex life. We don’t have to know you to make these statements, we are living with this mess these morons left us with. I have just had to go through another surgery to have the wires and battery replaced and I can not lift, bend, twist, squat, swim, exercise or anything for the next 6-8 weeks because the wires could move and then I will be back to square one again. Some quality of life. If you choose to have the surgery just be sure that you know all the side effects, watch the video from HERS I wish I had. I wish you luck in your decision and hope everything goes the way you want it to go, but please think it through and get another opinion from another doctor. Call HERS and they can give you one to go to for an opinion. I don’t believe it has been said that noone should have a hysterectomy, but only if it is life threatening, there are other options.
Butchery by deception, NOT YET, you mean!
To anonymous, I am not sure of what your pain is. I was told by my doctors that fibroid don’t cause pain. So if you are in pain, it is coming from something else? I believe they don’t have to remove the uterus to help you with fibroids. What I would do is, have a myomectomy done then watch my diet. The uterus provide structural
integrity and support to the pelvic bones and the pelvic organs. I also have incontinence and I believe it is from lack of the uterus supporting the bladder. My pelvic and abdominal are all messed up because of the hysterectomy. So if you remove the uterus you loose support and blood supply to vital organ. This is one reason not to have the hysterectomy. Or you could be in pain like me, for the rest of your life, not just 10 to 15 years.
I am glad the doctor has given you many options. Mine didn’t. Not until I got my office records did I find out that the doctor had lied to me. That is why I suggested getting the office records. Maybe you have a respectable doctor.
I would like to give you an example of the kind if discrepancy that I mentioned. The doctor never told me about the repair “Sacrospinou ligament fixation”. It wasn’t even on my consent form. But it was written on the doctors office notes.
Lupron was mentioned on paper but not to me. The doctor said on paper that she discussed things with me and she never did. I though you might find out what the doctor wrote down just so you know if your doctor has been honest with you or not.
I believe why Hers focuses on the complications, because it is hard to find this information. Or at least I have problems finding them. The resources I have found hear at Hers, has helped me more than I have found searching the internet.
You mentioned that you discussed the pros and cons of each option. Did the doctor tell you, that uterine orgasm cannot occur without a uterus. My doctor told me my sex life would be the same after surgery. It is not. Neither is it for my husband.
Thank you for your concern. Surgery should be the very last resort because you can’t undue it. I agree no one should have to live in pain in today’s age, but we do. I don’t want you to be in the same shoes as us on this blog that are in pain. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope you find the right answers for you. If you are still in doubt, you can call Hers, it can hurt to call, just to talk. They can refer a doctor also.
I feel I should add that the one opinion my doctor did give me was that he felt it best that women keep healthy organs and that unless I had some reason to be concerned for cervical or ovarian cancer I should keep my cervix and ovaries. He did not want to take them out unless I insisted upon it.
Butchery by decpetion? Most assuredly not.
LJ
To the person who want to keep cervix and ovaries….When you live with pain that shouldn’t be there….
I think you’re talking to me. I want to express my heartfelt thankfulness at your concern and compassion for a total stranger. I am truly touched!
I should also say that I am currently living with pain that shouldn’t be there… so what should I do? Put up with it for another 10 – 15 years in the hopes that menopause will ameliorate my symptoms? My liver would probably not care for that solution, given the meds that are currently passing through it.
Have you seen a 2nd and 3rd opinion about your problem? I would like to make a suggestion that you get your office records and check to see what is on them. I would like to know what the doctor has told you, is it different then what is on the office records.
Before I went to the GYN I researched my options. He discussed each of them with me –as well as some I hadn’t considered. He was (and is) willing to pursue any treatment option I choose: UFE, Lupron, myomectomy, wait it out, hysterectomy, myolysis, cryomyolysis and more, –even if it meant referring me out to a different doctor who could safely and skillfully perform the procedure. We discussed the pros and cons of each option. I never felt pushed to choose one over the other. What exactly would my records show that we didn’t discuss openly and frankly? I’m not sure what you’re getting at here.
If it is different that means the doctor has lied to you. Did you know there are other options, other surgeries, diet ect.
Again, I am thankful for your concern. What exactly, given what I’ve told you about our visits, would my doctor lie to me about? I’m not even sure what would be “different” in my chart. Could you give me an example of the kind if discrepancy you’re referring to?
You can call Hers and find out all your options. If you don’t understand what is written on the office records you can call Hers they will help you.
Thanks. I understand quite a bit about what HERS is saying, and have pursued many many resources as to the treatment options for fibroids –including the success rates, consequences and possible complications for each option. Full disclosure is hard to find at HERS, since it only focuses on the complications.
I am in pain every moment of every day. I don’t want to see you go through this ordeal.
I am so very sorry to hear about your pain. You’re right, no one should have to live like that and it is my goal to not live in pain one moment longer than I have to. I am aware that complications can occur and I pray that you find a solution to deal with/fix the ones you are enduring now.
LJ
On November, 2003 I had a complete hysterectomy…everything removed. Then I was diagnosed with a bladder infection. Now I wear diapers every day and I can not hold my urine in….I don’t just dribble…I empty almost all of my bladder into the diaper..
This isn’t normal. Has this been the case since your surgery five years ago? At the time did you consult with the doctor who performed the surgery or a urologist since then? What were you told?
I had my ovaries, uterus and cervix removed 3 decades ago. I did not get a bladder infection immediately after my surgery.
As the years increase since my surgery I do find I have less bladder control, however, even now, I do not completely empty my bladder in my pants in the manner you describe. If I laugh or cough or don’t quite get to the bathroom quickly enough I may have leakage. Frequent urination and stress/urgent urinary symptoms began to increase rapidly following my surgery.
I am so sorry you are going through this. It must be limiting your working and family life dramatically. I feel your pain.
I wonder if your bladder was perforated or injured during your surgery, or maybe you got a hospital borne infection during your hospital stay?
From many of the accounts given on this blog, it would seem that removing the sex organs through the vaginal opening appears to increase the incidents of bladder injury or infection.
Mine was done through abdominal surgury.
There are astronomical statistics (which are on the increase) of hospital borne infections.
As individual hospitals are probably protected by law from admitting how many hospital borne infections there are reported in their particular hospital, you may wish to obtain the public records for the combined statistics.
I would ask for the nationwide total and perhaps you could also ask for the combined totals specific to your state or neighborhood, for your particular type of bladder infection.
If I were you, I would also get pro active and do my own personal/ private research into your particular hospital’s record for that type of bladder infection.
Love your blog and website….my question is…..is it normal to empty most of my bladder in my pants after a hysterectomy?
On November, 2003 I had a complete hysterectomy…everything removed. Then I was diagnosed with a bladder infection. Now I wear diapers every day and I can not hold my urine in….I don’t just dribble…I empty almost all of my bladder into the diaper..
How long before I get back to normal ? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated…
To the person who want to keep cervix and ovaries. Have you seen a 2nd and 3rd opinion about your problem? I would like to make a suggestion that you get your office records and check to see what is on them. I would like to know what the doctor has told you, is it different then what is on the office records. If it is different that means the doctor has lied to you. Did you know there are other options, other surgeries, diet ect. You can call Hers and find out all your options. If you don’t understand what is written on the office records you can call Hers they will help you. I am in pain every moment of every day. I don’t want to see you go through this ordeal. I would love to change places with you. This might look like all gloom and doom. When you live with pain that shouldn’t be there, because of the doctor not being honest, darn right criminal, you might have a tendency to feel that way.
Definition: derangement
1. to disturb the order or arrangement of
2. to upset the normal condition or fiunctioning of
3. to disturb mentally, make insane
Definition: dysfunction
abnormal or impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system
For the women who have not had surgery to remove the uterus, you will have to make up your mind whether the position of the HERS Foundation in demanding that the medical community provide full disclosure on the female functions involved and the risks and ramifications of thier removal when recommendending pelvic surgery is a resonable position. You will have to examine the statements posted by the women detailing their experience pre- and post-opt and the ramifications to all aspects of their life and decide whether their information is germaine to your decision to move forward with surgery.
One has to examine how they define health. Does the abscence of uterine/ovarian function constitute an increase in health or decrease. Does the body view this missing function as dysfuctional.
Has the medical community used circular logic in the treatment of symptoms of the female pelvis with treatments that inherently create derangement.
At the end of the day, the purpose of this site is to provide information not honestly presented by the medical community so that you are given the opportunity of choice.
During removal of the uterus, a portion of the uterine/ovarian artery is severed, which means that up to 65 percent of the blood flow to the ovary is diminished. Since hormones travel through the bloodstream from the pituitary to the ovary, this can affect the hormone levels of some women drastically.
There are astronomical amounts of women posting on the internet on blogs and message boards who underwent a hysterectomy and retained their ovaries who suffer severe hot flashes, and night sweats immediately following surgery. These women are asking why? “Why am I having menopausal symptoms when I still have my ovaries?” Many in their 20’s and 30’s. Seems they weren’t told this could be a possibility by their gynecologist. If a man had his nerves and major blood supply cut off to his testicles and complained of sexual problems, no one would be trying to have a silly debate over it. Words can be tricky, although that doesn’t mean they are accurate.
In hysterectomized women whose ovaries aren’t removed, about 35-40% of the time the ovaries cease to function after hysterectomy
Do you happen to know the percentage of post surgical ovarian failure that is permanent, versus the percentage of ovaries that ‘go to sleep’ and then resume normal function?
I suspect the percentage range you quote includes ALL ovarian failure, not just the few that are permanent and resultant of hysterectomy –or that occur in women who are already perimenopausal.
Statistics sure can be tricky, can’t they?
I don’t believe ALL gynecologists are out to mutilate women for profit, just the majority. You may want to consider this while having your uterus removed and keeping your ovaries (since you need them): “In hysterectomized women whose ovaries aren’t removed, about 35-40% of the time the ovaries cease to function after hysterectomy, resulting in a de facto castration.” Those odds are worse than playing Russian Roulette.
(Me again)
Just for clarity, I am keeping my cervix and my ovaries. They’re healthy and I still need ’em. The same cannot be said for my uterus.
Is it the contention of HERS that every woman who undergoes a hysterectomy will have permanent adverse effects? Frankly, I find that hard to believe, given how many women I know who have had hysterectomies and are happy, healthy, productive women and who are very happy with the results of their hysterctomies.
As for waiting for my body to “take care of itself” –no thanks. I’m not going to wait for the 10 – 15 years it’ll take my ovaries to slow down on their estrogen production so that my fibroids will shrink. UFE? Pass. The thought of hunks of dead tissue the size of baseballs banging around in my body has no appeal to me whatsoever. Myoectomy? Again? And again? Not for me.
I’ve researched my options. My doctor is willing to help me in any way I choose.
I simply don’t believe the adverse affects reported are universal and I CERTAINLY don’t believe all Gynecologists are out to mutilate women for profit. How preposterous.
Response to Anonymous. August 9, 5:56pm:
I’m Nora W. Coffey, president of the Hysterectomy Educational Resources and Services (HERS) Foundation. Because of the accusatory nature of your comments I request that you identify yourself by using your name when you post future comments.
If you are sincere in your plea to have your female organs removed you will not have any difficulty finding a gynecologist who is willing and ready to perform a hysterectomy and castration on you. I believe that any doctor who would perform an unnecessary surgery because a person pleaded with them to do the surgery should have their medical license permanently revoked. If a person pleaded with a surgeon to amputate an arm or a leg because they never liked having two arms or two legs the doctor should have their license revoked and they should be prohibited from holding themselves out as a doctor. The same applies to a surgeon who would perform the surgery on request because a woman didn’t want her hormone-responsive reproductive sex organs and pleaded to have them removed.
Hysterectomy and castration is performed unnecessarily and without informed consent on at least 600,000 women in the USA every year. Not only is the surgery not performed on women pleading to have their sex organs removed, it is quite the opposite.
Most women undergo hysterectomy without consent because they were lied to about the extent of the surgery that was going to be performed, ie exploratory surgery, or they were led to believe that the uterus and ovaries have no function except for menstruation and pregnancy. These doctors, too, should have their medical license permanently revoked.
You said that UAE was recommended to you so presumably you have fibroids. You never need a hysterectomy for fibroids unless you have the wrong doctor. If your fibroids are causing a true medical problem and you would like to undergo a myomectomy (surgical removal of the fibroids leaving the uterus intact) please contact HERS at 610.667.7757 for referral to doctors who are skilled at performing myomectomy. If your insurer has refused to pay for a myomectomy we can guide you through the process to get your insurer to cooperate in paying for the surgery.
You may not recognize it yet but you owe the women posting information about the consequences of hysterectomy and castration a huge debt of gratitude. If not for them and their unerring commitment to be outspoken about the tragic consequences of hysterectomy and castration many more women would go like lambs to the slaughter. These women have saved thousands of women from being abused by gynecologists.
Heed their warning. Hysterectomy and castration can only be done, it cannot be undone, the adverse effects are lifelong.
I was also given a total hysterectomy and castration without being given any alternatives, even though I asked for alternatives multiple times. A predator gynecologist amputated my sex organs instead of removing a simple benign ovarian cyst. I was lied to and attacked, and my insurance company paid for it with no questions asked.
Thank you Mattie for your above post.
BOYCOTT OB/GYN’s!!!!!!
What is more anti-female than a gynecologist surgeon who unnecessarily amputates the sexual organs of women using blatant false medical information, scare tactics and coercion to attack the woman and one-third of the American female population?. Nothing!.
Presenting the medical facts in detail to the Supreme Court or Congress would be shocking to say the least. What man can’t relate to being castrated? What women can’t relate to being castrated?.
Within days of the scare tactic deceitful information I was given to amputate my healthy sex organs by the gynecologist my insurance company agreed to pay and paid the perpetrators well to deceive me and harm me irretrievably. It was not suggested I try alternatives, the alternatives were presented by the gynecologist using scare tactics and presented as alternatives that caused cancer, caused more problems and didn’t work. I was not required to try any other medical treatment and it was not required that I be given the correct medical information.
I do believe that the heinous legal crime of hysterectomy and castration by deceit must be stopped by the American Government Justice System. I believe getting the correct medical information circulated through the American population in any way possible until the Laws are passed, is crucial. The urgency of the epidemic of hysterectomy and castration by deceit is a, National Emergency, due to the astronomical number of women affected.
Mattie
To Anonymous who said:
‘I think you people are completely full of it …’
1)
Speaking for myself, I was not given any alternatives, I was told castration and hysterectomy were my only choices.
2)
I don’t know what specific ‘scare tactics’ you refer to and say are being used on this blog.
Perhaps you are unable to distinguish the ‘victim’ here. Only a woman who does not know what all her REAL and TRUTHFUL options are would request a hysterectomy. Only someone who has been brainwashed by the OB/GYN’s would consider hysterectomy, after carefully studying and considering the BETTER alternatives.
This is a site for women to express how they feel after these surgeries, to seek comfort and support among other women who have experienced the after effects also. The fact that we want other women, their husbands, families etc. to know that we were lied to by our OB/GYN’s and want to warn others about our experience is no ‘scare tactic’.
Your inability to recognize and accept TRUTH, does not give you the right to suggest we are liars.
If you have not yet had your hysterectomy that you say you are begging for, please rest assured, we will all be here to support you as you face the SURPRISING after effects of this surgery. None of us expected what we got, we were so convinced and lied to by our OB/GYN’s that our shock and horror after these surgeries has left many of us speechless.
It is the HERS Foundation that has helped us find our voice. We will not be silenced by you or anyone else.
Apparently we have begun to strike the correct chord, to have evoked such a response from you!
BOYCOTT the OB/GYN’s!!!!
This is our anthem on this site and if you don’t like it, go elsewhere for your entertainment.
To Anonymous who posted at 17:56. If it’s so hard to get a hysterectomy, how do you think it has been done to over one-third (1/3rd) of the population of women in the U.S.? If it is so hard to get your insurance company to pay for it, how is it that there are currently over 22 million American women alive today who do not have their sex organs? Please answer those questions. Any reasonable thinking person would be alarmed that the same medical procedure has been done to over 1/3 of the female population in the U.S., without showing any medical benefit when compared to countries who perform far less hysterectomy.
To the lady who just left a comment: I view your statement that we are completely full of it very offensive. Why would you beg to be hysterectomized or castrated (removal of your healthy ovaries)? Please tell us what your symptoms are.
We write on this blog to tell women what we have been through or are going through because of our surgery. Whether you want to believe what we are saying is up to you. Why would we be lying? Why would we tell you to weigh all your options including alternative surgery if that wasn’t the best route for you to take?
It has been 20 years since my unnecessary hysterectomy and castration and for 20 years I have had over a dozen symptoms that just don’t go away but only gets worse as time goes on.
Once castrated, your life along with your husband’s life will be affected. If women are telling you it is the best thing you will ever do, they are not being honest with you.
Please tell me what happens when a man is castrated (removal of gonads), the same goes for a women (removal of her gonads)?
If you have fibroids-have a myomectomy by a skilled doctor. If you have cysts or polyps-have a polypectomy by a skilled doctor. The Hers Foundation will find you a doctor who performs these surgeries in your area.
My nieces had polyps on her ovaries and the Hers Foundation found a doctor in Iowa City, Iowa. She had her polyps removed and can go on and enjoy the rest of her life without being castrated. Several doctors wanted to castrate her and I said no way!
I sat in on a visit with my sister who visited her doctor who also wanted to castrate her and I said no way. The doctor became angry and we left. That was 8 years ago and she still has her sexual hormone producing organs.
Why you would think we enjoy exposing our personal life with everyone is beyond me. We are just trying to protect you from all the side effects you will have after your surgery.
You best listen especially if you are happily married because divorce is one of the many side effects. Your life will completely change after removing your ovaries and cervix. Your husband will notp enjoy sex like before your surgery. They are removing an organ that is suppose to be with you the rest of your life. Doctors don’t care what happens to you after the surgery. In fact, they don’t even want to see you after the surgery because of the many complaints they hear.
After 20 years of studying, observing and going to conferences, I can honestly say doctors don’t care what happens to you after the surgery and are only doing it for the money. SAD, BUT TRUE!
I think you people are completely full of it, and the way you use scare tactics against women is, well, anti-female.
I have begged for my hyst after what I’ve been through.
I’ve had a hysteroscopy, sonohystogram, have all my path reports and so on. I have my diagoses, and all my doctors suggested alternatives such as BCP, IUD, ablation, UFE, and on and on.
Not only that, the insurance companies these days view hysterectomies as “elective” and make you try all these alternatives whether you want to or not before they will pay for a hysterectomy that you knew you needed in the first place.
You do NOT speak for all women, you certainly do not speak for me. From the looks of what I’ve seen on your site, it appears you are deeply in the pocket of trial attorneys.
To Alene and Anonymous, I completely agree, BOYCOTT gynecologists! The yearly checkups are only designed to lure unsuspecting women into unnecessary hysterectomy/castration for profit. These criminals have had the perfect crime to the tune of over 22 million women in the U.S. What a great scam for them.
To Alene,
I fully support your ideas to:
1. Boycott all OB/GYN’s!!!
Find a good Family Practice Physician who is non invasive and is experienced at women’s health issues. One that is able to do pap tests, ultrasounds, breast exams etc..
2. Use Civil Disobedience, similar to Rosa Parks famous Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott in 1955.
3. Most importantly, show the HERS 12 minute video to everyone you know.
GREAT!!!
I personally have not consulted any OB/GYN’s for the past 32 years!
Reasons?
A
The first one I consulted castrated and hysterectomized me.
B
The second one I consulted 4 years later for a pap smear, left me with a highly unconfortable vaginal infection for which I needed to consult her once again for the prescription medication to stop the itching and grave discomforts in the vaginal area. She insisted I make a third appointment just so she could declare me free of infection. (Apparently she did not think me capable of deciding whether or not I had now returned to normal condition).
As I had never had any such condition prior to my first visit to her office, ever, and indeed, had not yet begun any sexual activity in my life, there was no debating where I picked up the infection.
To add insult to injury, she commented during my third visit to her office that the reason I had the infection was because:
‘You are too clean in that area!’
OB/GYN’s?
No thank you!
American Heritage Dictionary
cas·trate (kās’trāt’) 1. To remove the testicles of (a male); geld or emasculate. 2. To remove the ovaries of (a female); spay.
3. To deprive of virility or spirit; emasculate.
Sex reassignment surgery from female-to-male includes hysterectomy and castration. Hysterectomy and castration is the largest part of the surgery that is used to make a female into a male. How on earth can gynecologists tell women that it will not affect their sexual response? This major surgery which is part of sex-reassignment surgery has been done to over 1/3 of U.S. women without any counseling and without their informed consent.
I had a total hysterectomy in April 2006. I had fibroids in my uterus and was told this surgery would be necessary. This has changed my life so dramatically it’s hard to put in words. The only person I’ve been able to talk to is my sister in another state, who also had this surgery. We both share the same feelings in wishing we were counseled on the “aftermath” of a hysterectomy. We have talked about being able to share how wrong this surgery really is in a large forum and how there should be guidelines or regulations strictly followed to save our lives instead of wrecking them. People must know what is really going on…….Thank you for being here.
I had hystractomy an its effecting my sexual life, deepression.angery, i would like to know what should i do ?
I had a hysterectomy in September, 2003. I am still experiencing affects that my Dr never told me about, personality change, facial hair, many of what other women are talking about. I was not given ANY knowledge about what life would be like afterward. I have been seeing physicians for about 4 years to combat a personality change, weight gain, inability to concentrate and a host of other issues. I am a professional who is well known. I love what I do but I am finding that I may have to quit my position because of my inability to concentrate. I am in desperate. Thank you in advance for any support or suggestions you might be able to give me.
Laws
Unfortunately, to pass a law to stop Castrations of women in the U.S.A. requires a team of phenomenal attorneys. It appears that this is an extremely complex topic. A team of attorneys would have to submit a change regarding the OB/GYN’s surgical procedure protocol and then argue this at the highest level of all the courts…the Supreme Court! This can take many years and since men control our entire judicial system, (they would most likely not equate Hysterectomy’s as Castrations.)
As women, we need to stick together and utilize other methods to destroy the OB/GYN’s practice nationwide as follows:
1. Boycott all OB/GYN’s!!! Find a good Family Practice Physician who is non invasive and is experienced at women’s health issues. One that is able to do pap tests, ultrasounds, breast exams etc..
2. Use Civil Disobedience, similar to Rosa Parks famous Montgomery Alabama Bus Boycott in 1955.
3. Most importantly, show the HERS 12 minute video to everyone you know.
Anonymous said…So what will change this criminal act of hysterectomies?
Anonymous said…But it is tolerating the inhumane treatment of female human beings in America on an astronomical level. 22 Million plus “American Women” have been lied to and mistreated by false information concerning hysterectomy/castration, causing life long consequences and suffering, by deceit.
Anonymous said…When there is this kind of medical profession protection of each other, no matter what evidence there might be to the contrary, I say,
BUYER BEWARE!!!!
CT said…yet no one reports about how gynecologists are lying to women to lure them into the operating room to remove their sex organs. No one is reporting that gynecologists have systematically amputated the sex organs of over 1/3 of the population of American women without their informed consent and for 90% no medical basis. Why isn’t anyone reporting this brutal crime?
Anonymous said…Covidien, the medical device company conducting the pig lab, intended to use and kill live pigs in order to sell its surgical tools. Thanks to your phone calls and e-mails, the lab was canceled and a strong message has been sent that the public will not tolerate the inhumane treatment of animals.”
Mattie said…So what will change this criminal act of hysterectomies? Hers Foundation knows and we know “now”.
The days of a woman being lucky enough to find Hers Foundation and the correct medical information concerning hysterectomy and castration on the internet before this life altering surgery by deceit, are over.
The days of a woman having an underlying medical condition like “Thyroid Storm” rendering her unable to make a coherent decision about her health, are over.
The days of an anesthetist starting an IV in a woman’s arm behind her back, literally, are over.
Over when? What will change this criminal act of legal hysterectomy and castration by deceit?
The public must be warned about the silent crime of gynecologists perpetrating unnecessary hysterectomy and castration surgeries on the female population, for profit, in epidemic proportions in America.
When the American public is informed and educated about the torture of the American woman and their families in epidemic proportion, they will be “outraged”.
The “public” will not “tolerate” the inhumane treatment of woman.
A law will be passed to demand protection of the American woman and their families.
The perpetrators of the epidemic crime of hysterectomy and castration by deceit, the gynecologist-surgeons and their accomplices, must be forced to stop, by passing a law to stop them, they won’t stop until they are forced by law to stop.
“Nazi Medical Experimentation
Sterilization experiments: Prisoners were brought into a room and asked to complete forms, which took two to three minutes. In this time, the radiation treatment was administered and, unknown to the prisoners, they were rendered completely sterile. Many suffered severe radiation burns.
However, informed consent in German medicine was not original to issues surrounding WWII. In 1900, Dr. Albert Neisser infected patients (mainly prostitutes) with syphilis without their consent.
The trust of a physician is sacred. This is why the practice of medicine by the doctors of the Third Reich is egregious, outrageous, and shocking. The Nazi doctors violated the trust placed in them by humanity. The most painful truth is for the most part the doctors escaped their crimes against Humanity and lived a life, unlike their victims.
Sounds Like today. So what will change this criminal act of hysterectomies?
I am really sick of hearing about Brett Favre on the news. These media people are just shocked that Green Bay isn’t taking him back. You would think that the Green Bay Packers committed a crime. Whoop Te Do! While all this drama has been going on for over a month, no one has bothered reporting that U.S. women are being deceived and lied to, to lure them into unnecessary sex organ surgery. Every night Keith Olbermann makes fun of Bill O’Reilly of Fox News, yet no one notices that women are being mutilated and damaged by hysterectomy/castration every day. I am so sick and tired of hearing about the “inflatable tire” drama regarding the presidential campaign over and over on every news channel, yet no one reports about how gynecologists are lying to women to lure them into the operating room to remove their sex organs. No one is reporting that gynecologists have systematically amputated the sex organs of over 1/3 of the population of American women without their informed consent and for 90% no medical basis. Why isn’t anyone reporting this brutal crime?
Anonymous said…
“To draw even a remote comparison between the lives of pigs and the lives of women is demeaning. It further lowers the very value of being a woman.”
I say how can you not make a comparison between women and pigs when that is the reality of this discussion.
“Pigs” were saved by the, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, this week in history in America. The pigs were to be tortured and killed in a “Hands-On Pig Lab”, demonstrating surgical tools used by gynecologists during gynecological surgeries on “Women”.
The pigs were saved “yippee”.
And here is where the comparison is:
The correct medical information and consequences of a hysterectomy/castration surgery is not required by law to “protect” an American woman. Women are being lured into operating rooms on the false premise that they need surgery when in most cases, they need no surgery. Women wake up from anesthesia to learn that their sex organs were amputated even though no cancer and no other medical problems were found. Woman then realize that the consequences and side effects of hysterectomy/castration are far worse than they were informed of before surgery and that the surgery was not needed.
Get it yet?
The “Women” continue to be tortured by deceit, one every second, every day in America. But several “Pigs” were saved, from the same tools used on women, within days of their intended doom by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
I had a hysterectomy about 11 yrs ago. Now I have several problems, diabeties, pulmonary embolisms, coronary heart disease and compromised immune system. I have been getting extreme hot flashes, with tightness in chest, and intense warmth up my chest, into my
face, with sweating, and reddness, its very uncomfortable and scary. Has anyone heard of this? Thank you.
To draw even a remote comparison between the lives of pigs and the lives of women is demeaning. It further lowers the very value of being a woman.
PCRM says,
“The Society of Gynecological Oncologists announced last night that its “Hands-On Pig Lab,” which was intended to demonstrate electrosurgical tools on live pigs, has been canceled. The demonstration was scheduled to take place in conjunction with this week’s surgical conference.
Covidien, the medical device company conducting the pig lab, intended to use and kill live pigs in order to sell its surgical tools. Thanks to your phone calls and e-mails, the lab was canceled and a strong message has been sent that the public will not tolerate the inhumane treatment of animals.”
But it is tolerating the inhumane treatment of female human beings in America on an astronomical level. 22 Million plus “American Women” have been lied to and mistreated by false information concerning hysterectomy/castration, causing life long consequences and suffering, by deceit.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, I ask you this: What is responsible about this inhumane act of perpetration and physician caused torture concerning the masses of “American Women”? Is it more important to protect animals than human beings? Or is it equally important, at least? Are women less important than pigs?
The medical profession has lost it credibility, in my opinion.
A perfect example was seen on a recent July 2008 Dr. Phil Show where the panel of 5 medical doctors gave their opinions to questions from the audience.
One woman from the audience had been through about 16 total breast-implant related surgeries from the same plastic surgeon, after initally requesting breast implants from him.
Her current status was that her breasts were now so deformed, and scarred, (they showed pictures) that her condition is now diagnosed as being similar to someone who had lost their two breasts through breast removal!
The response by the doctors on the panel as to what they suggested she do?
They agreed that she needed to be more patient and not rush into more plastic surgery too soon.
Not one of the 5-doctor-panel members suggested there might be a problem with her plastic surgeon’s skill!!!
Also, there was not one suggestion from the 5-doctor panel that her plastic surgeon could possibly have done something incorrectly or damaging to her.
The implied suggestion was that IT WAS HER FAULT FOR WANTING TO RUSH TO HAVE THE ERRORS CORRECTED TOO SOON!
So, the doctor panel was quite happy to suggest to her that she stick with this same plastic surgeon to keep trying to correct this dilema, because one of the doctors on the panel had spoken with her plastic surgeon, and was convinced that her doctor WANTED to help her, and he WANTED to see her happy with the final results!
When there is this kind of medical profession protection of each other, no matter what evidence there might be to the contrary, I say,
BUYER BEWARE!!!!
Crime against humanity
From Wikipedia,
In public international law, a crime against humanity is an act of persecution or any large scale atrocities against a body of people, and is the highest level of criminal offense.[1]
The Rome Statute Explanatory Memorandum states that crimes against humanity “are particularly odious offences in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of one or more human beings. They are not isolated or sporadic events, but are part either of a government policy (although the perpetrators need not identify themselves with this policy) or of a wide practice of atrocities tolerated or condoned by a government or a de facto authority. However, murder, extermination, torture, rape, political, racial, or religious persecution and other inhumane acts reach the threshold of crimes against humanity only if they are part of a widespread or systematic practice. Isolated inhumane acts of this nature may constitute grave infringements of human rights, or depending on the circumstances, war crimes, but may fall short of falling into the category of crimes under discussion.”[2]
I believe Hysterectomy and Castration perpetrated by deceit against the female population of America is a, Crime Against Humanity. A large scale atrocity against a body of people, American Women, and is the highest level of criminal offense.
Mattie
PCRM, says “On August 7, pigs will be killed in a “Hands-On Pig Lab” to demonstrate electrosurgical tools. Covidien Electrosurgery is hosting this lab in coordination with a conference held by the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.
The August 7 event advertises, “Procedures that will be performed include: ureteral dissection, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, repair of simulated bowel and bladder injury, bowel resection, ureteral re-anastomosis, and liver resection.” In other words, pigs will be used and killed so Covidien can sell its products”
And then women are hysterectomized/castrated by the gynecologists, maimed and killed by deceit, just like the pigs.
I am all messed up physically, mentally, sexually and emotionally. I found myself thinking today that I feel like a zombie sometimes…almost a chronic stupefied condition, so stupefied I just lay down and stare.
Dear Male in Michigan: Don’t apologize for venting. My husband has gone through hell with me since this barbaric surgery. He told me he’d like to write a book, “Hysterectomy and Female Castration for Husbands”. Even though I am not in denial about how this has damaged me, it makes me moody, compulsive, forgetful, depressed, and miserable to be around. I have crying spells regularly. I have pain constantly where that gynecologist hacked me up. I have hot flashes and sweat constantly and I feel like a pot belly stove. My abdominal area is mangled. I can’t do half what I did before. I wake up every day hoping it was just a nightmare, but then I quickly realize that it’s now my life, a permanent nightmare. I come to the stark realization every day when I wake up that I now have to live the rest of my life sexless, without the ability to become aroused, or have an orgasm. It is devastating. Maybe your wife is in denial simply for self preservation. It is very hard to admit and deal with being castrated and de-sexed for profit. The only people who can truly understand what your wife is going through are other women who have been castrated and hysterectomized. I can say for sure, I could have never imagined this kind of devastation. It is the most horrific torturous thing to live with. It completely knocks your body and mind off kilter. Not only is it physical castration, but it is also mental castration. I’m glad you post to us about how you are doing. It will help others not fall victim to this brutal crime.
I had a full hysterectomy last year and I’m just having problems with the hormones and also no desires for sex…
male in mich.
My wife denies her hyst. has anything to do with our marital problems. She has given up and only wants to fight about anything. She refuses counseling. She has a host of health problems from the hyst. and thyroid removal for benign cysts(found out later removal wasn't necessary). Weight gain, mood swings, COMPLETE loss of libido, you name it. She says she doesn't want to live like this with me anymore! She wants to find someone else who will understand! She has hot flashes continuously, sees a NP & DR. who rob her and give her crappy advice. I just found out last week she was put on phentermine for weight control. Read the side effects of this drug, what quack would prescribe such a drug to a woman who has compounded problems already in parallel with side effects caused by this so called medication. I will not leave her although some days become almost unbearable. She says things sometimes I know she doesn't mean, I know it's the effects of her health. In response to the post that men should also know this affects them. You are damn right I tell everyone I know about this barbaric treatment to women. I'm not stereotyping the suffering women out there who have been "castrated" but I can tell if a women has been a victim of hysterectomy just by their posture and mobility. What a crime to have allowed these procedures to manifest. Sorry for the venting.
To Anonymous of August 5, 2008 8:16 PM
If you had taken the time to read the online information about the Miracle Mineral Supplement BEFORE rushing to create an immediate alarm and concern, I might have considered your ‘concern’ as being more genuine.
Everything we ingest should be carefully studied, along with our individual health needs and health profiles etc.
Moderation and caution are the inteligent and prudent steps necessary before ingesting anything and particularly for our success in all health matters.
I find it so hilarious when MDs and medical professionals try to create ‘alarming’ concerns about nutritional supplements etc. while administering harmful hormones and dangerous drugs as if they were candy.
I’m pretty sure which profession you currently practice. You have certainly demonstrated your profession’s trade mark!
To Anonymous regarding the MiracleMineralSupplement Post.
Any supplement regardless of whether it is a vitamin, mineral, algae,replacement hormones, over the counter medications, prescription medications,amino acids, herbal remedies etc..should be researched extensively just to make sure that there are no adverse reactions, such as hypersensitivity (allergies to the product), drug interaction from other medications and other products that the person is taking. I remember the L-Tryptophan(amino acid) reaction people had in the early 90’s. I think that people actually died from this. Please research anything before you ingest it, particularly since we are now in a global economy and there are many imports such as the faulty dog food last year, in which some dogs died!
My thoughts on ingesting Hormones and
My alternative suggestion
It is my opinion that the male, female, and the non-gender specific hormones prescribed for me by my doctors during the
two-year period prior to my castration and hysterectomy surgeries 36 years ago, WERE THE MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS to my doctors actually recommending castration and hysterectomy surgery.
I had no cyst of any kind prior to this 2-year experimental hormonal treatment for my late periods.
I had experienced a late start to puberty, with increasingly late periods each month, up to age 22, when I decided to consult my
doctor(s) for ‘help’.
In hindsight, after 36 years have passed since my surgery, and after much personal research on this subject, it is now my opinion that all I needed to find was the CORRECT treatment for my late periods!
Had I received CORRECT medical treatment, I should not have needed surgery after 3 years of medical treatment. Simple logic.
I never requested hormones. They said they would ‘help’ me and these medical experts recommended hormonal ingestion for late periods!!!!
POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE
In my search for answers to my traumatic post-surgery experiences, I believe I have found some answers.
In a nutshell, I believe some women may need to ingest hormones AFTER these sex-organ surgeries. It is a very personal choice, because their bodies have now been radically altered and their bodies are not able to function normally.
That said, any serious search for answers, should include the website for
SebaceousCystCureReport.
This online-available SebaceousCystReport e-book, for a small fee, may save many surgeries, or lives, in my opinion. Not just for females with cysts, but for male or females with ANY health issues!
The SebaceousCystCureReport e-book includes reference to a cheap, simple, immune-boosting, over-the-counter, ‘Miracle Mineral Supplement’.
According to the author of the free online e-book, Jim Humble, this ‘Miracle Mineral Supplement’ is a type of Stabilized Oxygen therapy.
Jim Humle explains that the
by-products produced in the body, (after the 12-hour internal-effectiveness timeline has expired), is a simple salt and water non-toxic solution which is incapable of producing any side effects.
This ‘MiracleMineralSupplement’ is not a drug!
Any serious search for answers before or after these life-destroying surgeries, MUST include an honest look at this product as its effectiveness has been proven re a wide range of ailments.
The above suggestion is just my opinion, after using it successfully for some of my post-surgery trauma. It has helped to boost my suppressed immune system due to the removal of some of my endocrine organs (ovaries, uterus etc..
I will give more details of my personal success story with this product, later on.
It makes me sick to think I was de-sexed and castrated like a male criminal rapist or molester. This is what they do to dangerous sexual predators in America, criminals, not a wife and mother who never even had a traffic ticket.
Bibi…that’s right, you tell it like it is. Write that letter!
So the doctor lies to men about a women having a hysterectomy, that nothing will change in there sex life, and get away with there deceit. Why don’t men go back to the doctor and yell at them for ruining there wives sex life. It effects there sex life also! Men think that just because it happened to there wives they can’t do anything? THEY SHOULD! If the men stand up I believe will help make a difference. If this happen to them they wouldn’t stand for it? Men have to be educated about women being castrated. It is the same as a man being castrated
“Women have balls too, they are called Ovaries.” Gynecologists do not want women to know they are castrating them. Thanks for pointing that out Mattie! That information will help other women not become victims of this barbaric profitable surgery.
Do not be fooled by a gynecologist with the authority of a doctor telling you that the side effects we are having are rare or non-existent. Don’t be fooled by women who lie to protect their self-image after they have their sex organ amputated either, like I was. Hysterectomy is not a word that is comprehensive to most women, the doctors know that!…..But Sex Organ Removal is and Castration is!….and that is what the gynecologist is really doing to you medically, by deceit.
Mattie
Hello Everyone (again),
Now I have read the most recent posts. Good for you, “Anonymous on July 29th @ 5:57 a.m.; in that, you said things so very well. Also, ‘Whoohoo’ to you, Mattie – great input…
I am still researching for my own personal treatment to help me. I am also still in the midsts of preparing the ‘knock-out’ letter to the GYN who did this surgery on me. When I do finalize it, I will be sending it to post here to get final approval. I would only hope for help. I feel I have to send this letter to the GYN who castrated me, and has done so much damage to my body, my life, both physically and emotionally. (Making love/not making love is emotional). As I have said in previous posts, my sex life with my husband has fallen by the way side since my Hyst., and we had the “Best”. I am talking about “French Maid” outfits after twenty years of being together. I have no desire to put on anything to spice things up. I could care less about having a ‘romp’ with him. I have lost any sexual drive. It makes me sick to my stomache. I can’t imagine what this has done to my husband…
I said in a previous post, months ago, I wouldn’t give up on my husband if he had a “one night stand” affair. This may sound awful, but this is how much I love him and can understand what he must be going through with his wife completely changing on him. He saw a woman who ‘promoted’ love making; i.e. his teasing “Love Goddess, into a person who could care less. (I hate that GYN…telling me during one meeting before my Hyst., which my husband attended, and this doctor saying “Your sex life will be so much better.” He even ‘winked’ at my husband saying, “Think about it – no more bloody periods.” What man would love to not have to deal with that with a woman? It was almost as if I was not even in the room during that moment. How dare that doctor try to convince my husband on that statement alone?
Pretty sick, huh? I remember him tapping my husband on his way out the door with my file. Oh my God; how I wish I would have found the Hers website before I was pushed into having the Hyst.!!!
There, I have vented. Please, anyone reading these posts and considering a Hyst. – DO NOT DO IT!
We are “REAL” women posting. We are really trying to help. Thank goodness for this site. Again, Hers Foundation is not promoting anything to state to not have a Hyst., but a way to provide information to make an “informed” decision. Remember to read the “informed consent” if you get so far as to consider a Hyst., and if you are at that point…get up off that chair or table, and run…
(like the wind).
what do you do when you’re only 32 years old and have no sexual desire. I had a hysterectomy at age 19. At this time in my life i thought i should have stamina than i do. what should i do? help!
Dear Woman Bleeding 24/7
Please listen to the valuable advice from these wonderful woman!! You and I are in the same boat! I canceled my Hyst. in June to take care of my teenagers, they had Mononucleosis. I discovered the HERS website while at home taking care of my daughters and I decided to Cancel my castration. Like yourself, I have the heavy, clumpy bleeding, hot flashes, irritable mood swings, migraines, PMS abdominal pain due to my fibroids and endometriosis. My bleeding is monthly during my periods not 24/7 YET!, however it will most likely get worse before it gets better, BUT it will eventually get better on it’s own and your fibroids will shrink on their own through menopause. You MUST be patient and let “nature take it’s course and let everything unfold naturally!” Your body will heal on it’s own! Please talk to Nora for a phone consult. I spoke with her a few weeks ago and she really helped me. My period started a few days ago. After reading these Blogs, I actually looked forward to the bleeding and everything that comes along with the territory! Go Figure? Please note that I did have spinal cord surgery on my ruptured disks a few years ago which made me worse…now all of my disks are rupturing therefore, I am in constant pain 24/7 from this, so my body cannot take another surgery and the major residual effects after a major surgery such as a Hist. Find other ways to remedy your bleeding. I started eating food with more iron. I will research holistic and homeopathic remedy’s. I elevate my legs on a pillow when I bleed heavy! I take Tylenol for my migraines and more warm baths/showers. I take many baths and showers anyway to suppress my spinal/sciatic pain. I swim one hour/ 5 days per week. Pamper yourself…Research and find whatever works for you! One piece of chocolate per day helps suppress my pain and most importantly… Sex and intimacy with my husband, similar to chocolate releases endorphins which stimulate the opiate receptors, help suppress the pain!
I am taking the advice from these wonderful women on this fabulous website…I will not have a HYST! I want my own hormones, not the synthetic ones which cause many problems. I will not listen to my OB/GYN and have a HYST, they are not G-D!
Women have balls too, they are called Ovaries. I wonder how many woman alive today have had a Tubal Ligation (tubes tied).? If gynecologists cut and tie off a woman’s tubes wouldn’t it really harm a woman’s sex organs, endocrine system and sexuality? Wouldn’t it possibly cut off the valuable functions of their ovaries?
I am disgusted that women are not taught the basic hormones and androgens in their ovaries and uterus, Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone, not to mention the rest of the ovarian substances responsible for a woman’s health and well-being. We are led to believe that we only have Estrogen in our ovaries, hence the Pill. We are taught that men have testosterone, not females. We are not given the slightest information concerning our Endocrine System by the doctors of this country, and our Ovaries are part of our Endocrine System. Yes, women have balls too, they are in their abdomen!
Mattie
Hello Everyone,
I failed to mention in my previous post in reply and reference to the woman who has the bleeding “24/7”:
You state to “not make statements for everyone unless you know them”.
I do not think the Hers Foundation is broadcasting and indicating no one should have a hysterectomy ever. This could not be furthest from the truth. What you do need to read are all the posts from women who have had a Hyst., and listen to what they are stating with what they deal with in the aftermath of a Hyst., and as I said in my previous post…it would be enough for me to question, and also not have one after reading what real women sharing their experiences have said, and unless it was a clear cut, life or death difference, there is no reason to have a Hyst.
“Quality of Life” you mention…
my quality of life has gone down dramatically since my Hyst., and I would give anything to get back my “Quality of Life” before that surgery. Women here are only posting to share and help, and stop any others from losing this also. Don’t lose yours…
Again, as one female to another, do not have this Hysterectomy. This is my profound personal opinion, and from my own experience. I wish someone would have posted to me, as I am to you…
You take care, Anonymous of July 28th, who is bleeding “24/7”. Trust me, you will not be happy with the “side effects”. This is not any opinion of the Hers Foundation. This is my own personal experience. I would be more than happy to share more, but I would hope what I have said here would be enough for you to understand it is a matter of only helping you to not do this, and enough said to not go through with this. I surely hope I have saved you.
Hello Everyone,
I haven’t read the posts for awhile, but read this one by the woman who posted stating she is wanting a Hyst. due to bleeding “24/7”. I started to read some replies from other women responding to this, along with a post by Hers Foundation. I have not read all of the posts. I stopped reading. I will read further later, but already know what I only hope what I convey will help this person also.
Please don’t do this! If I have to beg – well, I am doing it now.
I implore you to do every alternative measure. Go and get other medical opinions, listen to the women who have had Hysterectomies, who have posted here. Listen to all the complications, and the life altering consequences involved. If I had 24/7 bleeding right now; I would much rather have this – than the suffering I now have after my Hyst., and would live with the bleeding, so gladly – in comparison to what I suffer with now after my surgery.
I know what heavy bleeding is. I dealt with the same situation with fibroids in my uterus. I became so anemic. I can relate. It is suffering and scary, but there are alternatives. You need to delve into all of these, and the last resort is a Hyst., and I mean the very last, and only if you would die without one.
With so numerous posts of women who state how sorry they are after having a Hyst., I could not begin to fathom a female wanting one, after reading all who have commented. I would run from any GYN who said a Hyst. was the route to go, after all I have read; and it is not from just this site; although, this site would have been enough for me with what I believe as very honest women posting here of their experiences.
It is time for we women to get the “Blinders” off. There are too many of us who state the same thing after a Hyst., and if the tables were turned, this would not be happening to men. Heaven forbid a man live after being castrated, and no doctor would suggest this to a man, (unless it was life or death) so why a woman?
Don’t you get it? It is a money making great resource for doctors to do just what they continue as an easy way out, and legally get away with this. It makes me so sick to hear women are still talked into this, and every single day, doctors continue to get away with this operation.
There is no going back once one has a Hyst., and I have heard the same things posted by too many women. “You will feel so much better after this surgery.”, the GYN will say. Also, after the Hyst., the doctor will state, “I have not heard of any other woman I have done a Hyst. on feeling what you do.” Then this same doctor passes the woman off…’Wham, Bam, Thank You, Maam…” It happened to me, and again, I have heard the same ‘tales’ from too many others. Why would any woman want to go there? I am meaning…why take the chance to have one’s life in worse and much more horrific status after a Hyst. than before? Would a man feel better after having his penis cut half way off, and his testicles removed? I don’t think so. Well, it is a comparison evenly. Would a man even listen to a doctor telling him “you will feel so much better after having this done?” I want to hear from any man who would say, “Yes, that sounds good to me.” It is the truest comparison I could make with a woman having a Hyst. Also, does one think a man could function well sexually after having this done? I do not think so. It is the same for a woman. I can relate so well with this factor alone. I had a great sex life with my husband before my Hyst. – I mean “Fantastic”. I have not made love with him for seven months. I was the one to even promote ‘love-making’ before. I have not had any drive or desire since the Hyst., and my poor husband… Thank goodness he is a good man, and knows what I have been through, and knows I changed completely after the Hyst., and he should be (well, is) just as upset. A man functioning sexually after having his penis cut..oh, and then…”What is your problem?” In reality; again, it is a true comparison.
In “reality” also, this would not pass with even one man subjected to this. How could a man say he could function sexually after having this type of surgery done to him?
Do not let any doctor do this to you! Again, I implore you to research, and do not lose faith. There is an answer for what you are dealing with – trust me on this. Do not forget what I said… there is no going back, once you have the Hyst., and you will be sorry, so sorry for being talked into this insane act. (Insane is putting it lightly…)
I hope I have helped. This is the purpose of this post. I wish I could go back in time, and not have had my Hyst. done. My life will never be the same. I am so grateful for this site to be able to try to reach out to other women thinking about having a Hyst., and if I save even one woman from not having this inhumane act done to her, I will, at least, feel better that some good has come from what happened to me.
I am also grateful I have family who are supportive. I know so many women out there do not get this. This is so sad; in itself. We, as women, are ‘passed off’ as it is ‘in our minds’ with the complications post-Hyst., and why would this be any different from a man stating he cannot function after a castration? And…castration is just what it is; yet women are so much more complex. We have more complex damage done to us after a Hyst., and I only thank God above, he gave women the extra strength to endure what doctors subject us to.
Don’t let any doctor talk you into a Hyst. – just don’t. Nike has their three line advertisement – “Just do it”. We women who have survived a Hyst. would only use the phrase of: “Just Don’t Do It”,
(and want to give you a pair of Nike running shoes to help get you out of that doctor’s office asap).
I am so sincere with my comments and statements here. DO NOT have a Hyst.; unless that doctor tells you, gives you a reason why you will “DIE” if you don’t, and gives you very solid reasons. If that being his/her statement – you would only want to pursue getting not one other opinion, but four or five more. Let the Hers Foundation people help guide you with help. This would be my best advice. Please also read everything from prior posts, and not just of recent. Again, I wish I would have researched and read what other women said. These women do not post for money, advertising, etc.. We are women who have experienced the trauma of a Hyst., and thank goodness women take the time to post and share. Along with this…thank goodness for the Hers Foundation. (Kiss the ground these people walk on…)
Good luck with your research “24/7”, and like everyone else who posts here, who feel as I do, will be so grateful you made the right choice to not have a Hyst., and be so much better for your decision.
Grateful is, as grateful does…
I just read an article that stated in the UK, gynecological lawsuits make up for 50% of all their medical malpractice suits. When are other doctors going to stand up and stop these criminals from harming women?
I am interested in post hysterectomy information and the hormones. I have been searching everywhere to feel better and to at least find some motivation again. I too am interested in alternatives to hormones and anything that will help me. Thank You.
We have a hidden crime inside our bodies.
Before I was hysterectomized and castrated, I had some bloating a couple days before and after my period started. Since the surgery, I am bloated constantly, and there’s always pressure, discomfort, and pain in my abdomen. When a gynecologist tells you how great it will be without your periods, think again.
Charmaine said: “Really, what sort of man makes a living removing women’s reproductive organs without having any defensible medical reason to do so???” Exactly!
When they castrate a serial rapist or pedophile, the man has to go in front of a Judge. He is informed of the consequences of castration. When an innocent woman is castrated and de-sexed, she is lied to and deceived prior to surgery to get her on the operating table. What is wrong with this picture?
I had a hyst 2 years ago at age 47 for fibroids. I was told that if I didn’t have the hyst, the “tumours” would grow so big and cause so much bleeding that I would need blood transfusions.
I trusted the gyno and didn’t seek another opinion. I consented to the hyst believing that it was necessary. I trusted the gyno’s opinion that there were no other suitable treatments for fibroids.
He not only removed my womb but my healthy left ovary and cervix as well for good measure.
Of course, I was told that I would feel a lot better after the hyst.
I didn’t. I was a mess. Off work for over 4 months and could then only return part time for my first 2 months back. Depression and fatigue. I had never suffered from either before.
I cried every day for nearly a year and my heart was full of anger for the doctor who did this to me.
I wrote a long letter and complained to the government agency here in Australia which deals with medical complaints. It paid thousands of dollars to a specialist gyno for comment. He said that the removal of the ovary and cervix was contentious and that I should have sought a second opinion but then dismissed my complaint by saying I signed a consent form and then stated that most other gynos would have done the same anyway.
I will continue to pursue my complaint and will take it to the media if need be to stop this from happening to any other women.
I discovered the HERS Foundation too late. “Say no until you know”. The best thing for me has been finding these hyst groups on the internet and making contact with other women like me.
For a long time, I let people make me think that I was the only one. Elizabeth’s Plourdes book “The Ultimate Rape” was the was one of the few things that made any sense to me after the hyst.
I went to doctors after the hyst but they prescribed anti-depressants and synthetic hormones. As if I didn’t have enough problems without getting hooked on happy pills.
I don’t take any prescribed drugs at all now. Gave up on the expensive hormones as well and just try to get on now despite being 10kg heavier with sweats and chest pains. And of course, bowel problems.
But anyway, I realise now that I probably don’t have more than 10 or 20 years left at the most and determined to make the most of the time I have left.
But before I go I want an apology out of the greedy misogynist who did this to me. Really, what sort of man makes a living removing women’s reproductive organs without having any defensible medical reason to do so???
I am humble and grateful that I have a wonderful family to keep me going.
Regards,
Charmaine Saunders
I took Estrace too. It didn’t help with the hot flashes, but gave me severe neck and head pain. I quit taking it and the hot flashes become even more severe, on top of extreme joint pain. I cried almost every day, in between the anger for over a year. I still cry a few times a week. I go from anger to despair nearly every day. You are better off going to holistic type doctors to find some help. There is no cure for hysterectomy/castration, but they can help some. It’s really bad for you to take Estrace, just look at the side effects on the insert. Best to taper it, although I did it cold turkey because I was afraid I was going to have a stroke. These criminal doctors like to torture women, so stay away from them.
What reason did the gynecologist give you for a complete hysterectomy? and what did the gynecologist tell you about how the surgery would effect you? Did they tell you how “great you were going to feel”? and minimize the recovery from this life changing surgery? Did the gynecologist surgeon say “sex will be the same or better after a complete hysterectomy? Are they dismissing you now and telling you “it’s all in your head” and to “get some counciling”? Yet!
I had a complete hysterectomy in May. I am on Estrace daily. Now I can’t sleep, I am either freezing or on fire. I am miserable. I either cry or am so angry I don’t know what to do with myself. I hardly have any sex drive which is not the norm for me. I feel like I am on the edge, completely overwhelmed. I just don’t feel like myself and wonder if I should take more Estrace, less or none at all. I am also interested in other women’s experiences with alternatives to hormones.
I had everything removed and now have no sex drive, I have tried homone thearapy and am alergec to the estrgine (sever reation)is there any hope in getting my sex drive back my doctor thinks its just in my head and sujusted I was depressed I am not just need a sex drive any sugestions?
I had a hysterectomy in 1998, my uterus and cervix was removed. I still have my ovaries. Since then, I have migraine headaches. I never had migraines until the hysterectomy. I recently got married, and realized some of the other symptoms I was having. Such as loss of sexual desire, weight gain, loss of energy, fatigue, etc. just to name a few. I had no idea that taking out the uterus would have this kind of effect. Thankyou. Please help me.
Since Hippocrates’s time, the potential damaging effect of a healer’s actions has been recognized. The old mandate “first do no harm” (primum non nocere) is an important clause of medical ethics, and iatrogenic illness or death caused purposefully, or by avoidable error or negligence on the healer’s part became a punishable offence in many civilizations.
CT said…
The history of hysterectomy: Dr. Martin Charcot (1825-1893) was world-renowned, the most celebrated doctor of his time. He practiced in the Paris hospital La Salpetriere. He became an expert in hysteria, diagnosing an average of 10 hysterical women each day, transforming them into “iatrogenic monsters” and turning simple “neurosis” into hysteria.(96) The number of women diagnosed with hysteria and hospitalized rose from 1% in 1841 to 17% in 1883. Hysteria is derived from the Latin “hystera” meaning uterus. According to Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman, US medicine has a tradition of excessive medical and surgical interventions on women. Only 100 years ago, male doctors believed that female psychological imbalance originated in the uterus. When surgery to remove the uterus was perfected, it became the “cure” for mental instability, effecting a physical and psychological castration.
I just had to post this post by CT again. It is so profoundly accurate concerning the basis of the rampant American female de-sexing for profit by the hands of the gynecologists of America.
Thanks CT,
Mattie
I am 35years old and had a total hysterectomy and year ago. Iam changing into a not such a nice person and it scares me. I have always been sweet natured. I was amazed at your website information and blog. Do I need hormones? If the doctor said she was going to castrate me I would have let her do it. I would have run out of her office. Thank you for this blog and your website.
I am reading this book about hormones and how it effects the body. “The target organs—the thyroid, adrenals, and ovaries –produce hormones, and hormones enter the bloodstream heading for the cells. There are approximately 300 different types of cells, Keeping the whole body working at peak performance. These hormones affect blood sugar, brain function, immune system and much more. The copy right says 1996. So They have known about this for a very long time. It say “little evidence to support the idea that removing the ovaries provides an overall health benefit”. I would like them to name them.
A woman’s uterus and ovaries function her entire lifetime, even after menopause small amounts of a woman’s hormones and uterine substances are still viable and functioning. Gynecologists and medical researchers don’t know to date what all of the hormones, androgens, opiates, anandamide and chemicals are within the female sexual organs or their functions concerning a woman’s overall health and well-being. The gynecologist/surgeons will tell you that hysterectomy will be similar to menopause but that is just false. Sexual organ amputation/hysterectomy is a very damaging procedure sending the woman’s endocrine system, nervous system, hormones and chemicals, including the ones they haven’t discovered yet or don’t fully know the functions of, into an immediate chaos. Hysterectomy causes an unnatural shifting of the remaining internal organs within her abdomen and causes a protruding abdomen with structural damage to her pelvis and remaining organs, as well.
A woman with a fondness for intimacy will miss the natural sexual desire she had prior to sex organ amputation/hysterectomy. Uterine contractions are no longer possible after her sex organ is amputated by hysterectomy. Sexual relations and the release of endorphins are a natural and healthy part of a human beings health. The hormones, hormone precursors, opiates and chemicals of the female human being can not be mimicked by science to date in 2008, beyond reproduction.
Women with certain types of breast cancer often face the worrying decision of castration – some are only given the choice of castration plus hysterectomy – in order to control the rising levels of estrogen. However it sometimes is not successful as the body has lots of estrogen receptors and the estrogen continues to rise.
These women are well informed and know fully the disadvantages of castration because their health provider tells them. But this is a scenario that involves life and death matters. Yet still they are given the choice.
However when a woman presents with heavy bleeding (which is distressing and involves quality of life issues) a woman is only given (usually) one choice. The benefit? No more heavy bleeding to worry about. However there are always pros and cons to any operation. Long term benefits should always outweigh the long term complications and consequences of such procedures.
Women who have had this procedure often proselytise about the benefits of a hysterectomy. ‘I never felt better’, ‘my life is now my own’, ‘it was a useless organ anyway now my family is complete’. They even join the happy hysterectomy forums to cement this life changing decision.
This can only perpetuate the myth that is gynaecological surgery. It is a global multi billion money maker. Gynaecological surgery should be confined to life saving procedures only. The way ahead is non invasive and minimal surgical access. It is a market driven branch of medicine. Women should take their intact sex organs and their money to those who care.
Anyone hoping to find improved ‘quality of life’ after castration and or hysterectomy will be in for a sorry surprise.
Everything your OB/GYN did not tell you before your surgery will become undeniable after you have the surgery.
We will be here for you on this HERS blog to help you cope with the post surgery trauma, as the years pass by and you can not figure out why you feel worse after the surgery, in every respect. Your same OB/GYN will be telling you, ‘I never heard of that before’ and dismiss your complaints as being ‘all in your head’, when you try to tell her/him that you are so different after the surgery, you can not even live with your new self.
Perhaps the first few months or years post hysterectomy might feel ‘good’ because you no longer have the 24/7 bleeding issue. However, when the long term effects of the estrogen/collagen malfunctions begin to affect your eyesight, your muscles, your neurological and skelital systems and your energy level hits zero, you may then begin to see why we victims of these surgeries spend our time on this blog warning other women to beware of the average OB/GYN and the lies they tell their patients. I was lied to by my Gynecologist/Surgeon before and after my castration and hysterectomy surgery.
These Gynecologists do not tell you the truth about the after effects and the possible surgical errors that occur with alarming results.
These surgeries are permanent. No one here is saying ‘Do not have a hysterectomy’. We are just saying there are better alternatives.
Why would anyone dismiss the experience of someone else who has suffered, and is speaking from their own personal experience?
During surgey they hit a nevre in my leg. I lost feeling and could not walk for months. I’ve gain some use in my right leg but I still walk with a limp and need a cane so I don’t fall again. They do not know if I will gain 100% usage in my leg. Also I’ve gained 15 pounds in 6 month. It like my metabolism has slow down. Is this normal? Anything I can do?
How wonderful it is an organization exists to educate women about things doctors don’t bother to tell us. Keep up the good work, HERS. I recommend everyone to check out every page on the HERS website. Some people might think it’s depressing, I find it very hopeful.
To Anonymous,
The HERS Foundation’s mandate is to provide full disclosure of information about the alternatives to hysterectomy, the risks of the alternatives, and the consequences of the surgery. We help women determine if they’ve had an appropriate evaluation, and if not, what diagnostic tests might shed light on why they’re experiencing the symptoms they have.
HERS doesn’t tell women not to undergo a hysterectomy. When they are provided with the tools needed to make a decision about what they will and will not allow to be done to their body women make the decision that is best for them.
It sounds like your heavy bleeding is difficult to manage and very distressing. What is the cause of the heavy bleeding? What type of diagnostics tests have you had? an ultrasound? CT scan? MRI? blood tests? Do you have copies of the test results?
If you would like help in determining if there is a conservative treatment that will resolve your symptoms please contact HERS at 610.667.7757. You may also want to receive information by mail. Go to HERS website, http://www.hersfoundation.org and click on Contact.
To Anonymous above who is having a hysterectomy,
If you are being treated by a gynecologist for your heavy bleeding there is a good chance he/she does not know how to treat your bleeding problem. There is also a very good chance that the gynecologist knows what could help, but does not tell you. Most gynecologists will not treat or don’t know how to treat your bleeding problem. Most gynecologists will watch and wait, to let a woman get worse and worse to intentionally remove her sex organ for their benefit, not yours. There is much more money in removing your uterus than there is in curing you and leaving your sex organ intact.
My suggestion is to go to see a homeopathic doctor, a naturopathic doctor or an internist.
If you do go ahead with the hysterectomy we will be here for you when you go through the inevitable terror of uterus amputation.
Mattie
I wish I had seen this before 2-6-17 😥
I see a Dr for my mental health since, but haven’t been able to overcome the deep shame of my now sexless , painful and always exhausted life.
I too am sorry you did not find the HERS Foundation before your surgery. I understand how you feel, but it is the doctor who did this to you who should feel ashamed. Please feel free to call HERS at 610-667-7757 if you would like to speak with a counselor. There is no fee for counseling.
I find it intersting that you just broad indicate that no one should have a hysterectomy ever. I am bleeding very heavily 24/7 and am going to have a hysterectomy. I am willing to take the side effects if I can have some quality of life. Please don’t make stmts for everyone unless you know them.
I’ve got a question for you Dr. Orozco. Since you’re not so sure there’s a real benefit or harm associated with removing ovaries, you can’t be sure if there’s a real benefit or harm associated with removing the testicles. Or do you think only women should be castrated, but not men? You can’t be sure, it could be a benefit, not harmful, we better study removing the testicles and find out!!!!!!!!!!!!!