Mental wellness and hysterectomy for fibroids.

Source: Reuters; British Journal of Gynecology, Jan. 14, 2010.

Partial hysterectomies (where the cervix and lower portion of the uterus are left intact) have been on the increase since 1991. The majority of these surgeries are performed for non-cancerous conditions such as uterine fibroids whcih can cause bleeding and chronic pelvic pain.  Total hysterectomy is medically more effective.  20% of women undergoing partial hysterectomy in one study continued to experience bleeding, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction.

The rise in partial vs. total hysterectomies was thought to be for psychological reasons. Namely, women felt “more intact” not undergoing a total hysterectomy.

However, psychological testing of women undergoing total and partial hysterectomies to measure anxiety and depression showed that the women scored similarly in both groups.  Meaning there is little difference in the way women felt about themselves after a partial or total hysterectomy. This seems to suggest that women may not be receiving all of the information they need from their doctors when it comes to deciding between surgeries.

I encourage all women considering hysterectomy (partial or total) to discuss the planned surgery thoroughly with their gynecological surgeon.  Do not be the victim of the wrong surgical procedure for the wrong reasons.

~Posted by Gayle R. Lewis, Esquire