Hysterectomy Plus Ovary Removal may Cause More Harm

Early menopause caused by removal of ovaries in women (as a preventative measure against cancer) could lead to heart disease. This is according to a 24-year study directed by Dr William H. Parker of Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. From a study¹ of data from nearly 30,000 women who had or had not had their ovaries removed during hysterectomy, Dr Parker found that the risk for heart disease is higher for those women who had their ovaries removed during surgical removal of their uterus and/or the cervix (a procedure usually performed by gynecologists) compared with those who did not.

Removal of ovaries during hysterectomy for non-cancerous or benign disease (e.g. tumors) is very often done to prevent possible ovarian cancer.

“It (hysterectomy) is the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure. In 2003, over 600,000 hysterectomies were performed in the United States alone, of which over 90% were performed for benign conditions. Such rates being highest in the industrialized world has led to the major controversy that hysterectomies are being largely performed for unwarranted and unnecessary reasons.” ---Wikipedia, April 25 2009

During the period, it was found that removing ovaries may have reduced the risks of ovarian, breast, and all cancers, but the risk of lung cancer and death from any cancer actually went up.

The researchers estimated that for women who survived 35 years after surgery, one extra death would occur for every nine ovary removal surgeries done.

Dr Parker and his team concluded that preventative surgical procedures should not be carried out if it does not clearly benefit the patient.

The above is further testament to the notion that most surgeries are done unnecessarily, or without good enough reasons.

So, if you are planning on having your uterus and/or cervix and/or ovaries removed by your gyne for whatever reason, please think again…SERIOUSLY!

My Question to you, ladies, is: Do you have to have your ovaries or other organs/parts removed? Have you considered why they were put there in the first place? Have you considered alternative medicine?





Here’s Ray Chee signing off and wishing you right decision-making.




¹ Published in journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 2009 issue