A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus. Hysterectomies rank second in the most frequently performed procedures in the United States, with cesarean sections being the first. According to the National Uterine Fibroid Foundation, over $5 billion is spent annually on this procedure, and an estimated 9 out of 12 of these procedures are not considered medically necessary, according to the criteria outlined by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. When did surgery become an alternative to treatment?
Why do women have hysterectomies?
In a perfect world, good doctors would never perform elective procedures -- after all surgery should be a last resort. Traditionally, hysterectomies have been performed to treat cancer of the ovaries and/or uterus or to alleviate uncontrollable bleeding of the reproductive organs. Over time, the requirements to determine the necessity of the procedure have changed. Many woman now have the operation to eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with chronic conditions such as bleeding, endometriosis, or fibroid tumors.