Nine out of 10 hysterectomies are unnecessary, says Dr. Stanley West, author of The Hysterectomy Hoax. He says this surgery most often does not correct the diagnosed problem and instead results in new afflictions.

If you, too, have been questioning the necessity of a hysterectomy procedure you may be reassured to know you are not alone. The decision to undergo surgery of any kind is often difficult, so it is useful to explore other alternatives when possible. Women, especially around the time of menopause, are too often advised to have major gynecological surgery for minor conditions that can be significantly improved with natural alternatives. Read more »

Ovarian cancer is a silent killer, and one of the deadliest threats to a woman’s health. The American Cancer Society says that about 20,180 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year alone. Every woman faces a one in 57 risk of getting ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

Cancer of the ovaries and uterus are often treated with total abdominal hysterectomy. During this procedure the doctor removes the uterus, including the cervix. Read more »

What are the options when a woman is diagnosed with cancer?

1. Submit. Give up. Make room for the miracle.

2. Inform yourself. Listen to your intuition. Examine all the options, but only use what feels right to you. Read more »

Cancer is a part of our lives. If you do not have the disease, you probably know someone who does. A diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be particularly scary because the disease can be quick spreading and often is not discovered until the later stages.

The field of medicine continues to expand and recent advancements have given women a greater chance of survival. When found in the early stages, the disease can be treated and more than 90 percent of these cases now see the patient living at least five years, according to the American Cancer Society. This may not sound like the best news, but it is a significant improvement. Read more »

Many women going through or thinking about to go through a hysterectomy ask a lot of questions. One common question that seems to come up more often is “does having a hysterectomy affect my sexuality?” There are also other concerns about this, such as may I become depressed, will I gain weight and how will gynecological visits change?

As far as sex drive goes women most often experience an increase in sex drive and pleasure after the difficulties of pre and post operational pain has ceased. Read more »

Depression can be one of the effects of hysterectomy. When discussing the effects of hysterectomy, depression often goes overlooked. However, it is a concern and here is a suggestion on how to fight it.

The Mashed Potato, The Twist, The Limbo Rock, The Hustle, The Macarena, The Roger Rabbit, The Running Man or the chicken noodle soup; have you tried any of these dances? Yes, we are talking about dancing. Read more »

Catching the disease in the early stages is the most important factor when treating any kind of cancer. If the disease is diagnosed early, there have been enough advances in treatment to give a patient a good chance of returning to a normal life with many forms of the condition.

The problem with ovarian cancer is that it often goes unnoticed until it has advanced to the latter stages. The causes of this particular cancer are most often unknown. It begins as a tumor in an ovary and spreads when malignant cells enter into the abdominal cavity. Once in the abdomen, the cells grow on the lining of the abdomen and also invade other organs. The lymph nodes, liver, lungs and other organs are at risk once the cancer reaches the advanced stages. Read more »

With so many hysterectomies performed each year, researchers are looking to learn more about which procedures are more effective and less life altering. In terms of major surgery performed, hysterectomy is second only to cesarean delivery among reproductive-age women. Most often, this second most popular practice is used to treat abnormal bleeding associated with the uterus and also to treat gynecological cancers

A supracervical hysterectomy (SCH) involves a technique that removes the uterus but, unlike the total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), does not remove or damage the cervix. Instead the cervix is left intact. According to a statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this technique should not be viewed as more effective or more desirable than the traditional procedure, which removes the uterus and cervix. Read more »

Many women undergo hysterectomy surgery each year and though each case in unique to the individual, all women face many of the same challenges as they go through the healing time. The recuperation process will include at least a brief period of time in the hospital following the surgery. There are different types of procedures, so the recovery time will depend not only on the patient but also on the type of surgery performed.

A Recovery after an abdominal hysterectomy often sees patients spending three days in the hospital following the procedure. Complete recovery will probably mean an additional six to eight weeks of home recovery. While recovering at home, a woman should be resting, which means no housework and there should be no lifting for the first two weeks upon returning home. Read more »

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes portions of or all of a woman’s reproductive organs. Thus it is not difficult to understand that this procedure will create a significant amount of physical strain on the body. However, in preparation for surgery, a women and her doctor should discuss not only the physical, but also the possible emotional and psychological effects.

Lets begin with one of the most obvious of hysterectomy side effects—menopause. This is a natural process that usually occurs in women between their early 40s and late 50s. What is happening physically is the ending of ovulation and menstruation brought on by a reduction in the production of certain hormones. When a woman has a hysterectomy, this process is brought on suddenly. Read more »