HYSTERECTOMY ALTERNATIVES AND AFTEREFFECTS

Chart 1

Response from all 1,000 women whose uterus
was removed with or without removal of their ovaries

79.1%

Personality change

79.0%

Irritability

77.5%

Loss of energy

76.9%

Profound fatigue

75.2%

Diminished or absent sexual desire

69.1%

Difficulty relating to and interacting with others

68.8%

Loss of stamina

68.2%

Difficulty socializing

66.9%

Short term memory loss

66.4%

Diminished or absent pleasure with intercourse

65.6%

Diminished or absent sexuality

64.8%

Diminished frequency of intercourse

63.0%

Diminished or absent sensuality

61.6%

Diminished or absent pleasure with foreplay

60.6%

Loss of affect

60.5%

Insomnia

60.0%

Diminished or absent orgasm

59.9%

Pain in joints and bones

59.4%

Difficulty recalling words and names

59.0%

Diminished or absent vaginal lubrication

57.3%

Hot flashes

56.8%

Anxiety

55.2%

Aching muscles

53.8%

Diminished or absent sensation in vagina

53.7%

Stiffness

53.4%

Suicidal thoughts

52.6%

Back pain

52.1%

Weight gain

51.1%

Nervousness

49.1%

Unable to maintain previous level of employment

48.4%

Sweats

47.1%

Dry skin

47.0%

Pain with intercourse

44.0%

Diminished or absent sensation in clitoris

43.8%

Constipation

43.5%

Diminished or absent sensation in labia

40.9%

Headache

40.1%

Loss of maternal feeling

39.5%

Urinary frequency

39.3%

Vaginal dryness and burning

36.3%

Difficulty walking up stairs

35.1%

Dizziness

34.2%

Dry hair

34.1%

Pelvic pain

34.0%

Unable to maintain previous level of activity at home

33.9%

Panic attacks

33.5%

Edema (retention of fluid)

33.0%

Visual problems

32.2%

Increase in facial hair

31.1%

Urinary incontinence

30.2%

Pain in buttocks

29.8%

Pain that runs down the back of the leg

29.5%

Heart palpitations

29.4%

Brittle dry nails

29.3%

Vaginal itching

29.0%

Brown spots on skin

28.8%

Breast soreness

28.4%

Vaginal pain

28.3%

Deep vaginal pain

27.9%

Diminished or absent nipple sensation

27.4%

Shortness of breath

26.9%

Sinus problems

26.8%

Wrinkles

26.8%

Dry eyes

26.7%

Nausea

26.5%

Pain with sitting

26.4%

Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or thumping in ears)

25.8%

Arthritis

25.7%

Decrease in scalp hair

25.7%

Increased odor, vagina

25.0%

Loss or diminution of dreaming

24.5%

Bladder infection

24.4%

Increased odor, underarm

24.3%

Decrease in thickness of hair

24.0%

Difficulty walking down stairs

23.9%

Dental problems

23.2%

Allergies

23.1%

Brittle hair

23.0%

Increase in breast size

22.8%

Generalized itching

22.6%

Numbness in hands

22.3%

Tingling in arms

22.1%

Tingling in feet

21.9%

Tingling in legs

21.8%

Long term memory loss

21.3%

Diminished nail growth

20.8%

Decrease in pubic hair

20.8%

Diarrhea

20.3%

Chest pain

20.1%

Labia itching

19.8%

Thin stream of urine

19.4%

Numbness in legs

18.5%

Numbness in arms

18.4%

Diminished or loss of sensation in legs

18.5%

Vertigo

17.9%

Chest pain

17.5%

Susceptibility to colds

17.2%

Hoarseness

17.2%

Burning with urination

16.8%

Altered odor, vagina

16.7%

High blood pressure

16.7%

Numbness in feet

16.6%

Increase in body hair

16.2%

Urinary retention

16.2%

Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)

16.0%

Pain in clitoris

15.3%

Pain in sternum

15.0%

Change in breast shape

15.0%

Hypothyroid (underactive)

14.9%

Speech difficulties

14.0%

Itching face

13.8%

Eye pain

13.7%

Electrical impulses in vagina

13.6%

Tingling face

13.5%

Altered odor, underarm

13.3%

Burning face

13.3%

Decrease in breast size

13.0%

Diminished or loss of sensation in toes

12.6%

Decreased tactile sensation

12.2%

Decrease in body hair

11.3%

Bowel obstruction

11.1%

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

10.6%

Hearing loss

  9.8%

Fibromyalgia

  9.5%

Agoraphobia

  9.3%

Urinary fistula

  9.3%

Gooseflesh

  9.2%

Suicide attempt

  8.8%

Hypoglycemia

  8.7%

Numbness of the face

  8.6%

Decreased odor, vagina

  8.2%

Kidney infection

  7.5%

Change in nipple color

  6.8%

Decreased odor, underarm

  6.6%

Low blood pressure

  6.2%

Bladder prolapse

  5.9%

Increase in pubic hair

  5.5%

Vaginal prolapse

  5.3%

Asthma

  4.8%

Nipple discharge

  4.5%

Gallstones

  4.4%

Angina

  4.3%

Rectal prolapse

  4.2%

Fibrositis

  4.0%

Increase in the thickness of hair

  2.9%

Increase in scalp hair

  2.9%

Hyperthyroid (overactive)

  2.8%

Prolonged vaginal bleeding

  2.1%

Bowel fistula

  2.1%

Meniere’s Syndrome

  1.5%

Osteoporosis of wrist

  1.4%

Decrease in facial hair

  0.9%

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

The following occurred in the first 60 days after surgery

22.5%

Urinary tract infection

17.4%

Urinary retention

13.4%

Double vision or other visual problems

10.1%

Required blood transfusion(s)

  6.9%

Infection of surgical incision

  6.1%

Speech problems

  5.3%

Rupture or opening of surgical incision

  4.6%

Hemorrhage

  3.8%

Damage to other internal organs

  2.9%

Bowel fistula

  2.6%

Damage to ureter

  2.6%

Angina

  2.3%

Perforation of bladder

  2.1%

Perforation of bowel

  2.0%

Pneumonia

  1.7%

Blood clot in leg

  1.7%

Urinary fistula

  1.5%

Peritonitis

  1.3%

Phlebitis

  0.7%

Pulmonary embolus

  0.2%

Stroke

66.0% Loss of sexual desire

65.3% Loss of sexual desire

79.7% Loss of sexual desire

59.4% Loss of pleasure in intercourse

66.3% Loss of pleasure in intercourse

68.8% Loss of pleasure in intercourse

59.4% Diminished frequency of intercourse

47.4% Diminished frequency of intercourse

69.1% Diminished frequency of intercourse

53.8% Loss of orgasm

57.9% Loss of orgasm

62.5% Loss of orgasm

51.9% Loss of sexuality

60.0% Loss of sexuality

70.9% Loss of sexuality

51.4% Loss of sensuality

60.0% Loss of sensuality

67.2% Loss of sensuality

50.9% Loss of pleasure in foreplay

57.9% Loss of pleasure in foreplay

65.7% Loss of pleasure in foreplay

41.5% Pain with intercourse

41.1% Pain with intercourse

49.7% Pain with intercourse

11.8% Pain in clitoris

9.5% Pain in clitoris

18.3% Pain in clitoris

46.7% Loss of sensation in vagina

53.7% Loss of sensation in vagina

56.2% Loss of sensation in vagina

37.7% Loss of sensation in labia

36.8% Loss of sensation in labia

46.4% Loss of sensation in labia

35.8% Loss of sensation in clitoris

32.6% Loss of sensation in clitoris

48.3% Loss of sensation in clitoris

24.1% Loss of nipple sensation

18.9% Loss of nipple sensation

30.4% Loss of nipple sensation

70.3% Profound fatigue

72.6% Profound fatigue

79.9% Profound fatigue

69.8% Loss of energy

68.4% Loss of energy

81.4% Loss of energy

59.0% Loss of Stamina

61.1% Loss of Stamina

73.2% Loss of Stamina

44.3% Weight gain

47.4% Weight gain

55.9% Weight gain

77.8% Irritability

83.2% Irritability

79.1% Irritability

76.4% Personality changed

83.2% Personality changed

79.7% Personality changed

67.9% Loss of ability to interact with people

70.5% Loss of ability to interact with people

69.6% Loss of ability to interact with people

62.7% Loss of ability to socialize

69.5% Loss of ability to socialize

70.0% Loss of ability to socialize

57.1% Loss of spontaneity and affect

65.3% Loss of spontaneity and affect

61.3% Loss of spontaneity and affect

40.6% Loss of maternal feeling

47.4% Loss of maternal feeling

39.1% Loss of maternal feeling

53.3% Suicidal thoughts

50.5% Suicidal thoughts

54.1% Suicidal thoughts

8.5% Suicide attempt

6.3% Suicide attempt

9.9% Suicide attempt

54.7% Loss of short term memory

58.9% Loss of short term memory

72.0% Loss of short term memory

43.4% Difficulty recalling words

50.5% Difficulty recalling words

65.8% Difficulty recalling words

18.9% Loss of long term memory

14.7% Loss of long term memory

23.8% Loss of long term memory

35.8% Pelvic pain

40.0% Pelvic pain

32.9% Pelvic pain

30.2% Deep vaginal pain

31.6% Deep vaginal pain

27.4% Deep vaginal pain

26.9% Vaginal pain

28.4% Vaginal pain

29.0% Vaginal pain

17.9% Electrical impulses in vagina

10.5% Electrical impulses in vagina

12.9% Electrical impulses in vagina

57.5% Insomnia

54.7% Insomnia

62.5% Insomnia

17.0% Loss or diminution of dreaming

20.0% Loss or diminution of dreaming

28.4% Loss or diminution of dreaming

55.2% Anxiety

53.7% Anxiety

58.0% Anxiety

47.2% Nervousness

53.7% Nervousness

52.2% Nervousness

34.0% Panic attacks

35.8% Panic attacks

33.9% Panic attacks

10.4% Agoraphobia

10.5% Agoraphobia

9.1% Agoraphobia

48.1% Unable to maintain previous level of employment

50.5% Unable to maintain previous level of employment

49.4% Unable to maintain previous level of employment

34.9% Unable to maintain activity in the home

32.6% Unable to maintain activity in the home

34.1% Unable to maintain activity in the home

18.4% Tingling in arms

20.0% Tingling in arms

23.9% Tingling in arms

17.5% Numbness in legs

12.6% Numbness in legs

21.0% Numbness in legs

17.5% Numbness in hands

13.7% Numbness in hands

25.5% Numbness in hands

16.5% Loss of sensation in legs

10.5% Loss of sensation in legs

20.1% Loss of sensation in legs

14.2% Numbness in arms

11.6% Numbness in arms

20.9% Numbness in arms

16.0% Tingling in feet

12.6% Tingling in feet

25.4% Tingling in feet

15.1% Tingling in legs

15.8% Tingling in legs

24.9% Tingling in legs

12.7% Loss of sensation in toes

7.4% Loss of sensation in toes

13.9% Loss of sensation in toes

13.7% Numbness in feet

9.4% Numbness in feet

18.7% Numbness in feet

7.1% Decreased tactile sensation

8.4% Decreased tactile sensation

14.9% Decreased tactile sensation

47.6% Constipation

40.0% Constipation

43.3% Constipation

19.8% Diarrhea

17.9% Diarrhea

21.6% Diarrhea

9.4% Bowel obstruction

12.6% Bowel obstruction

11.7% Bowel obstruction

5.2% Rectal prolapse

6.3% Rectal prolapse

3.8% Rectal prolapse

4.7% Vaginal prolapse

4.2% Vaginal prolapse

5.9% Vaginal prolapse

2.4% Bowel fistula

3.2% Bowel fistula

1.9%. Bowel fistula

21.7% Increase in facial hair

27.4% Increase in facial hair

36.2% Increase in facial hair

15.1% Decrease in pubic hair

10.5% Decrease in pubic hair

24.1% Decrease in pubic hair

6.1% Increase in pubic hair

6.3% Increase in pubic hair

5.8% Increase in pubic hair

1.4% Decrease in facial hair

0.0% Decrease in facial hair

1.6% Decrease in facial hair

23.1% Dry hair

33.7% Dry hair

37.8% Dry hair

18.9% Decrease in thickness of scalp hair

18.9% Decrease in thickness of hair

26.8% Decrease in thickness of hair

17.5% Decrease in scalp hair

18.9% Decrease in scalp hair

29.3% Decrease in scalp hair

16.0% Brittle hair

25.3% Brittle hair

25.1% Brittle hair

11.3% Increase in body hair

16.8% Increase in body hair

18.3% Increase in body hair

9.9% Decrease in body hair

5.3% Decrease in body hair

14.1% Decrease in body hair

3.3% Increase in thickness of scalp hair

3.2% Increase in thickness of hair

4.3% Increase in thickness of hair

2.4% Increase in scalp hair

0.0% Increase in scalp hair

3.5% Increase in scalp hair

22.2% Heart palpitations

23.2% Heart palpitations

32.8% Heart palpitations

21.2% Shortness of breath

20.0% Shortness of breath

30.4% Shortness of breath

18.4% Chest pain

20.0% Chest pain

21.0% Chest pain

10.4% Arrhythmia

10.5% Arrhythmia

9.1% Arrhythmia

36.3% Dry skin

40.0% Dry skin

51.6% Dry skin

21.7% Brittle dry nail

14.7% Brittle dry nail

33.9% Brittle dry nail

20.8% Increased vaginal odor

26.3% Increased vaginal odor

27.2% Increased vaginal odor

18.9% Generalized itching

21.1% Generalized itching

24.3% Generalized itching

16.0% Diminished nail growth

10.5% Diminished nail growth

24.5% Diminished nail growth

14.6% Altered vaginal odor

23.2% Altered vaginal odor

16.7% Altered vaginal odor

8.5% Altered underarm odor

15.8% Altered underarm odor

14.8% Altered underarm odor

4.7% Decreased vaginal odor

8.4% Decreased vaginal odor

9.9% Decreased vaginal odor

3.8% Decreased underarm odor

5.3% Decreased underarm odor

8.0% Decreased underarm odor

31.6% Dizziness

30.5% Dizziness

37.4% Dizziness

21.7% Tinnitus

17.9% Tinnitus

29.1% Tinnitus

17.0% Vertigo

10.5% Vertigo

20.4% Vertigo

2.4% Meniere’s Syndrome

0.0% Meniere’s Syndrome

2.3% Meniere’s Syndrome

36.8% Sweats

41.1% Sweats

53.5% Sweats

36.3% Hot flashes

54.7% Hot flashes

64.5% Hot flashess

35.4% Headache

36.8% Headache

43.3% Headache

20.3% Dry eyes

17.9% Dry eyes

30.3% Dry eyes

12.8% Visual problems

7.4% Visual problems

14.5% Visual problems

8.0% Eye pain

8.4% Eye pain

16.4% Eye pain

50.9% Diminished or absent vaginal lubrication

53.7% Diminished or absent vaginal lubrication

62.5% Diminished or absent vaginal lubrication

34.0% Vaginal dryness or burning

30.5% Vaginal dryness or burning

42.3% Vaginal dryness or burning

27.4% Itching in vagina

29.5% Itching in vagina

30.0% Itching in vagina

21.2% Itching in labia

18.9% Itching in labia

20.0% Itching in labia

3.8% Prolonged vaginal bleeding

3.2% Prolonged vaginal bleeding

2.5% Prolonged vaginal bleeding

33.5% Urinary frequency

31.6% Urinary frequency

42.6% Urinary frequency

22.2% Thin stream of urine

23.2% Thin stream of urine

18.7% Thin stream of urine

16.5% Burning with urination

13.7% Burning with urination

18.0% Burning with urination

17.0% Urinary retention

15.8% Urinary retention

16.1% Urinary retention

8.5% Kidney infection

5.3% Kidney infection

8.6% Kidney infection

6.6% Urinary fistula

12.6% Urinary fistula

9.7% Urinary fistula

6.1% Bladder prolapse

5.3% Bladder prolapse

6.4% Bladder prolapse

32.1% Breast soreness

27.4% Breast soreness

28.1% Breast soreness

18.4% Increased breast size

20.0% Increased breast size

24.9% Increased breast size

14.2% Decrease in breast size

6.3% Decrease in breast size

14.1% Decrease in breast size

4.7% Change in nipple color

5.3% Change in nipple color

8.8% Change in nipple color

3.8% Nipple discharge

5.3% Nipple discharge

5.1% Nipple discharge

.09% Change in breast shape

5.3% Change in breast shape

1.2% Change in breast shape

11.8% High blood pressure

11.6% High blood pressure

19.0% High blood pressure

5.2% Low blood pressure

3.2% Low blood pressure

7.5% Low blood pressure

7.5% Hypoglycemia

4.2% Hypoglycemia

9.9% Hypoglycemia

7.5% Hypothyroid (underactive)

7.4% Hypothyroid (underactive)

13.3% Hypothyroid (underactive)

1.4% Hyperthyroid

7.4% Hyperthyroid

2.8% Hyperthyroid

12.3% Itching of face

8.4% Itching of face

15.4% Itching of face

10.4% Tingling of face

7.4% Tingling of face

15.5% Tingling of face

8.4% Burning of face

10.3% Burning of face

15.4% Burning of face

5.7% Numbness of face

4.2% Numbness of face

10.3% Numbness of face

20.3% Dry eyes

17.9% Dry eyes

30.3% Dry eyes

22.6% Sinus problems

23.2% Sinus problems

29.0% Sinus problems

18.9% Allergies

16.8% Allergies

25.8% Allergies

16.5% Hoarseness

7.4% Hoarseness

18.8% Hoarseness

16.0% Susceptibility to colds

10.5% Susceptibility to colds

19.0% Susceptibility to colds

6.6% Asthma

5.3% Asthma

5.1% Asthma

17.5% Wrinkles

16.8% Wrinkles

31.2% Wrinkles

15.1% Brown spotting on skin

15.8% Brown spotting on skin

35.4% Brown spotting on skin

6.6% Gooseflesh

5.3% Gooseflesh

10.7% Gooseflesh

10.8% Speech difficulties

12.6% Speech difficulties

16.5% Speech difficulties

9.4% Hearing loss

7.4% Hearing loss

11.4% Hearing loss

19.8% Dental problems

13.7% Dental problems

27.0% Dental problems

5.7% Gallstones

3.2% Gallstones

4.3% Gallstones

1.4% Diabetes

1.1% Diabetes

1.9% Diabetes

10.8% Speech difficulties

12.6% Speech difficulties

16.5% Speech difficulties

9.4% Hearing loss

7.4% Hearing loss

11.4% Hearing loss

23.1% Nausea

25.3% Nausea

28.3% Nausea

24.1% Edema

26.3% Edema

37.7% Edema

The following occurred in the first 60 days after surgery

The following occurred in the first 60 days after surgery

The following occurred in the first 60 days after surgery

26.9% Urinary tract infection

16.8% Urinary tract infection

22.6% Urinary tract infection

15.6% Required blood transfusion(s)

14.7% Required blood transfusion(s)

9.1% Required blood transfusion(s)

12.7% Double vision or other visual problems

7.4% Double vision or other visual problems

14.5% Double vision or other visual problems

7.5% Speech problems (occurred first 60 days)

6.3% Speech problems (occurred first 60 days)

5.7% Speech problems (occurred first 60 days)

4.2% Hemorrhage

4.2% Hemorrhage

4.8% Hemorrhage

4.2% Damage to ureter

4.2% Damage to ureter

2.3% Damage to ureter

4.2% Rupture or opening of surgical incision

5.3% Rupture or opening of surgical incision

6.1% Rupture or opening of surgical incision

3.3% Damage to internal organs

3.2% Damage to internal organs

4.8% Damage to internal organs

3.3% Infection of surgical incision

11.6% Infection of surgical incision

7.5% Infection of surgical incision

2.4% Bowel fistula

4.2% Bowel fistula

3.2% Bowel fistula

1.9% Pneumonia

5.3% Pneumonia

1.6% Pneumonia

1.4% Perforation of bowel

3.2% Perforation of bowel

2.3% Perforation of bowel

1.4% Perforation of bladder

4.2% Perforation of bladder

2.3% Perforation of bladder

1.4% Angina

3.2% Angina

2.9% Angina

0.9% Peritonitis

5.3% Peritonitis

1.2% Peritonitis

0.5% Blood clot in leg

2.1% Blood clot in leg

2.2% Blood clot in leg

0.0% Pulmonary embolus

0.0% Pulmonary embolus

1.0% Pulmonary embolus

0.0% Stroke

0.0% Stroke

0.3% Stroke