Product Description
While more than 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States, 90 percent of them are unwarranted. This vital health guide offers women the information they need to empower themselves in making critical health decisions. For example, surgery can often do more harm than good and may pose needless risks, except in situations involving a life-threatening illness such as cancer. However, surgeons often rely on hysterectomies as a panacea for everything from premenstrual syndrome to uterine fibroids. An important step in bridging the communication gap between patient and physician are the specific questions in this book for women to ask their doctors. Included is information about various gynecological conditions with suggestions for alternative treatments, such as endometriosis, uterine prolapse, ovarian cysts, and precancerous conditions.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 6 reviews)

no to hysterectomy by Nanny Groskopf (Florida, USA)

5 Stars
October 05, 2009
It amazes me a lot of woman decide to do their homework about their health only after they had a hysterectomy. I had big, huge fibroids and my only hope was hysterectomy, but I refuse to let the doctors (Here in Florida) do it. I am a past pacient of Dr. West, and I can not have enough words of praise. I hear about the book, check some references, and contact him, had a myomectomy in his competent hands. If your doctor suggest a hysterectomy and you do not have cancer, you should read this book. There is responsible professionals out there willing to do the right thing. Know your options before any surgery. Good luck and Good health

Valid information by Jo Taylor (Cedar Rapids, IA United States)

4 Stars
June 15, 2009
Information was clearly presented. For those women already hoping to avoid a hysterectomy this book provides support for that position. Knowing that an experienced gynecologist holds this opinion makes it easier to keep asking your own doctor for alternatives, as it seems many gynecologists do not share this point of view.

Don't be turned off by the title by Sonjastwin (San Francisco, CA)

5 Stars
May 17, 2009
Yes, the title sounds inflammatory, but the book is really a very well balanced analysis of when a hysterectomy will and won't be necessary, what the procedure involves, and the possible side effects of it. Hundreds of thousands of women have a hysterectomy every year and many, perhaps even most, are happy with the results. I have come across many women who sung the praises of their hysts because it gave them relief from their painful and in some instance incapacitating symptoms. And if you want a hysterectomy, by all means, go for it; there will be no shortage of docs lining up to give you one. But if you're over 40 and you don't want one, you are definitely fighting the biggest of uphill battles to find alternatives because for most docs hysterectomy is the default solution to treat just about any gyn issue in older women. And even if you think a hyst sounds good because you just want some relief, if you can get the same relief without removing a part of your body, why wouldn't you want to try a less extreme solution first?? Without a doubt, if you believe that keeping your body intact unless you have no other choice is the best thing to do, then you need to read this book to counter the misinformation that the vast majority of gynecologists will feed you. Sadly, in my search for a solution, I've learned that most will tell a woman over 40 that a hysterectomy is the only solution for her condition, when that simply is not the case. Even worse, I've come across SO MANY women who accepted that b.s. and had hysts that they probably didn't need! This makes me so sad. You cannot make an informed decision based on inaccurate information! I was told by a number of docs, including a very highly regarded surgeon in my city, that a hysterectomy was the only solution to my fibroids. Luckily, someone recommended this book to me and it gave me the knowledge I needed to run far away and find a surgeon with the skill to help me preserve my uterus. If you have any doubts at all about having a hysterectomy, or even if you don't, PLEASE read this book and get accurate information about what is and what isn't possible. You won't be sorry you did.

Every Woman Should Read This Book!!!! by MoonBaby (California)

5 Stars
December 03, 2007
I was fortunate to have read this book before my surgery in 2001. 2 Gyns were sure I needed a hysterctompy but I insisted on open abdomen myomectomy and asked my surgeon to do everything in his power to take only the fibroids. I came out of surgery with my uterus; minus a 4 lb. 20 cm. fibroid...ONLY ONE!!! This book gave me the courage and the fortitude to discuss my options with my gyn and ask many questions...questions that my gyn wasn't as receptive as he should have been...but he honored my decision. Dr. West provides insight into a topic that women must be educated about. Indeed, he is right, hysterctomy is a hoax...in most cases it's not necessary. Perhaps it happens as often as it does, because surgeons are not trained to save a womans organs. I commend any gyn who has the courage to learn how to avoid hysterectomy. My gyn will forever be my number one!!!!

Better than I expected by K. Herrera (Charlotte, NC)

5 Stars
March 03, 2006
I thought that I knew what the downsides of hysterectomy could be since so many of my friends have had to submit to one and I've done some reading here and there. But I learned a great deal more from this book. The title sounds a little alarmist, but the actual writeup is very thoughtful and well-supported information.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	Healing Fibroids: A Doctor's Guide to a Natural Cure by Allan Warshowsky (Author), Elena Oumano (Contributor) An Exciting New Approach to Regaining Health Without Surgery! Fact: By the time they reach menopause 40 percent of American women have at least one uterine fibroid; 600,000 women are diagnosed each year. Fact: Fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomy, the second most common surgical procedure performed on women. Fact: Natural, holistic medicine can heal fibroids without invasive surgery. Fibroid tumors, while usually benign, can swell a woman's uterus to the size of...
	What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibroids: New Techniques and Therapies--Including Breakthrough Alternatives to Hysterectomy by Scott C. Goodwin (Author), David Drum (Author), Michael Broder (Author) Two fibroid experts reveal the little-known facts about preventing and treating fibroid tumors--without surgery. Fibroid tumors are the leading reason why more than 500,000 American women have hysterectomies each year. Fibroids are benign tumors that arise from the smooth muscle layer of the uterus. As they grow larger, they can put pressure on neighboring organs and tissues, causing pain, bleeding, and fertility problems in many women. Unfortunately, many women are not informed of their full...
	Misinformed Consent: Women's Stories About Unnecessary Hysterectomy by Lise Cloutier-Steele (Author), Mary Anne Wyatt (Author), Stanley West MD (Foreword) The personal accounts in this collection were written by women who have undergone hysterectomies, and they offer a sobering perspective on the surgery. The potential risks and irreversible consequences of the surgery are presented to dispel popular beliefs that hysterectomies pose no medical or emotional risks. The stories and resources encourage individual women and the medical community at large to consider alternative and more effective treatment options.
	A Gynecologist's Second Opinion: The Questions & Answers You Need to Take Charge of Your Health (Second Edition, Revised) by William H. Parker (Author), Rachel L. Parker (Author) Written in Q&A Format, A Gynecologist's Second Opinion answers all the questions that patients actually have but that most doctors often don't have the time or the patience to answer. It addresses women's concerns while providing the facts needed to get appropriate care. The book was written with the idea that a woman should be a partner with her doctor in her health care, and the more information and understanding she had, the better off she would be. Presented with the stories of...
	The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy by Lauren F. Streicher (Author) In clear, conversational language, Dr. Lauren Streicher discusses everything a woman needs to know to make informed choices about this often-controversial subject, including emotions and sex after surgery, hormone replacement, and much more.