The average woman has about a 50 percent chance of undergoing a hysterectomy before age 65. Dr. Hufnagel believes as many as 92 percent of these operations are unnecessary. She tells how to avoid these operations and gives alternative treatments.

In this new, updated version of the groundbreaking book, gynecologist and leading women's health expert Dr. Lauren Streicher--who in a direct, clear, and often humorous way--reveals the following: What your doctor isn't telling you; robotic hysterectomy and why it is becoming so popular; new nonsurgical ways to control heavy bleeding; the latest on hormone therapy, including bioidentical hormones; how to decrease your risk of uterine or ovarian cancer without removing your uterus or ovaries; new methods for treating fibroids; and a comprehensive guide to websites and resources.

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. This replaces 0773762868.

In recent years advances in laparoscopic technologies have led to renewed interest in the vaginal approach to hysterectomy, which has many proven benefits for patients. This volume, dedicated to explaining and promoting the vaginal route of hysterectomy, is written and edited by an international team of experts and provides a much-needed source of up-to-date information and instruction. Importantly, the authors caution that laparoscopic technology can provide a valuable source of assistance for the gynaecological surgeon in certain circumstances, though only in a percentage of cases. This book, beautifully illustrated with line drawings and full-colour photographs, contains step-by-step surgical techniques, enabling the surgeon to gain confidence and experience so that gradually more challenging operations can be managed successfully via the vaginal route. Acknowledged authorities from around the world take the reader through the indications and contra-indications for the vaginal approach, explain crucial preoperative assessment procedures, and offer an evidence-based elucidation of the 'why', 'when' and 'how' of vaginal hysterectomy. Specific topics considered here include: the nulliparous patient, uterine fiboids, debulking, the use of gonadtrophin-releasing hormone agonists, oophorectomy and prophylactic oophorectomy, adnexectomy for adnexal pathology, genital prolapse, the place of sacrospinous colpopexy, urethral sphincter incompetence, hormone replacement therapy, and the psychological and sexual outcomes of hysterectomy. In addition, the authors set forth the arguments for and against vaginal hysterectomy, abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic assistance, and transcervical resection of the endometrium. Combined with a full review of the potential complications, morbidity and mortality associated with the vaginal approach, this book provides the reader with a well-balanced, thorough and considered appraisal of vaginal hysterectomy. As the incidence of hysterectomy worldwide continues to rise, Vaginal Hysterectomy will be an indespensable reference for practising gynaecologists, surgeons, consultants and postgraduates.

This book initiates the descriptions of the practical performance of different hysterectomies with conventional and robotically assisted laparoscopy, laparotomy and vaginal surgery. Laparoscopic hysterectomy has been out as an additional technique for hysterectomies for the last couple of decades. As the necessary light, augmentation and advanced skill has only been introduced into this already 200 year old surgical procedure within the last few decades by laparoscopy, the editors aim to look at the laparoscopic procedures followed by the traditional techniques of hysterectomy with laparotomy and vaginal surgery.

Dr. West takes a firm stand against the surgery except in cases where a woman has cancer. He argues that the surgery can do more harm than good and presents unnecessary risks, except in those situatiions involving a life-threatening illness.

Essential reading for anyone facing the hysterectomy decision, this insightful book shares the facts through heartfelt first-person stories.