Did you know that hysterectomy procedure is one of the unnecessary surgeries women are recommended for by doctors? Obviously, every woman is a unique circumstance who calls for a unique approach. However,
Hysteractomy refers to a surgical procedure to remove the uterus.
How many surgeries are unnecessary that cause a greater disruption in woman’s health? As the Federal Government estimates, it’s about 7.5 million unnecessary surgical and medical procedures that are performed annually and could have been avoided.

Hysterectomy is the second most commonly performed surgery among women after cesarean section; around 1 in 3 will undergo the procedure by the age of 60.
Please read this informative article from Medical News Today that covers facts and findings about how unnecessary hysterectomy surgery is in the US.
Hysterectomy is the Second most unnecessary surgery that women are having
When 1 in 3 women will have had a hysterectomy in the U.S. by age 60, this is not an easy number to be content with. An estimated 20% to 40% of these surgeries are unnecessary. Cancer and prolapse are key indications for hysterectomy, but common gynaecological conditions that occur during peri-menopause are not.
TIP: Consult multiple physicians before being given a prognosis of hysterectomy
The Reasons Behind Hysterectomy
Hormonal fluctuations are huge reason behind the perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Understanding the changes in our hormonal system will allow us to be not only healthier, but happier as well.
First Signs of Perimenopause and Symptoms as the Result of Hormonal Fluctuations

Perimenopause leads to increased estrogen, which can lead to fibroids, heavy periods and extended flow.
Perimenopause is a time of extreme hormonal flux and spikes of excess estrogen. These spikes can lead to fibroids (benign tumours) and endometriosis (endometrial tissue lining the uterus grows elsewhere), conditions that typically resolve after menopause.
Transition to Menopause and What A Woman Could Expect
Fibroids and endometriosis can lead to heavy bleeding and pain that many physicians believe warrant an intervention such as hysterectomy, however, many doctors challenge that perspective.
TIP: If you’re having heavy periods, ensure that you have enough iron. Yes, do it with the help of your trusted medical professional!
Alternatives to Hysterectomy
A note that having a hysterectomy doesn’t mean your ovaries will be removed. Even though our ovaries are shut down after menopause, they do produce some hormones until we are 65.
Unless there’s a reason to remove the ovaries (cancer, cancer risk as an example), keeping our ovaries helps with overall health and long-term survival.
Many women can manage symptoms without hormones or other procedures but many women will need some help. If your symptoms are interfering with your daily life, you definitely need to investigate them and have a trusted medical professional by your side.

However, when you are investigating your options, be aware that:
- Cancer and prolapse are the two main indications for hysterectomy procedure
- Fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic pain can be treated (usually but not all the time) with other options
- Many women’s gynecological conditions resolve after menopause

For those who would like to explore Non-hormonal Options for Premenopause and Menopausal Symptoms
Issues Associated with Hysterectomy
For women who do need a hysterectomy procedure, it’s important to understand the hysterectomy types of surgery that are available. These issues include symptoms of surgical menopause and prolapse. Take a look at the table below.

For women who have had hysterectomies or ablations that keep the ovaries, your ovaries are still working to push out those hormones. So even if you don’t have a period, you may still have the hormonal surges of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms.

That is why women who had the removal of their ovaries, the early onset of menopause can bring on a myriad of symptoms that can quickly become overwhelming to a woman. Those symptoms that are usually are experienced by a woman in her 50’s will be, all of a sudden, present in a 20- or 30-year young woman. Can you imagine it for a moment?
For all women, whether or not you’ve had a hysterectomy, medical professionals recommend having a baseline visit with a pelvic health physiotherapist at age 40 and above.
Reduce Excess Estrogen Through Eating Better
I’ve heard of all kinds different ways of flushing out excess estrogen. But what we can do to reduce excess of this hormone in our female bodies is to eat better every day.
Excess estrogen can lead to weight gain, breast pain, stomachaches and a host of other complaints. Internally, estrogen spikes are believed to be the causes of fibroids and endometriosis.
Drops in estrogen can lead to headaches, mood swings and the feelings of forgetfulness.
TIP: Eating a plant-based diet or even dinner will help remove excess estrogen through the increased fibre content. Ensure that your vegetables are non-GMO whenever possible.
Here’s an example of plant-based and fiber-rich recipe that is super easy and very palatable. Garden Veggie Buddha Bowl with Lentils & Tahini Sauce.

45 thoughts on “A Most Unnecessary Surgery for A Woman: Menopause Or Not”
I should bookmark all these menopause posts. Not quite there yet – expecting baby 7 in a couple weeks.
Amy,
What a heroin you are!
Enjoy the process, really, and the baby will bring in more joy and new experiences.
This is such a great post. I have heard in the past that a lot of times this surgery is pointless.
I love learning things I didn’t know, and this was one of those things. Women’s health is so important
This is a very informative post. So many women are urged to have these surgeries when in fact, they aren’t really necessary. Thank you for sharing this information.
I think this goes down to eating healthy foods as much as you can and avoid processed foods. Prevention is still better than cure.
I always believed that c-section is not really necessary for every case. Two of my aunts have gone through a hysterectomy during their menopause and always thought if it was really necessary. This post was an eye-opener. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I didn’t even know it was a thing. So scary woman go through this type of surgery.
Laura
This is so informative and you also bring awareness to every woman out there. It is so important to visit your OB-GYN once you feel the problem, PREVENTION IS CURE!
Amazing site got all the information all together. Thank you so much for sharing! That was a very informative post on
women’s reproductive health!
This post is very informative. I think we really need to sit down with our OB-GYN and discuss the pros and cons of getting a hysterectomy. I believe that if there is no medical or pathological reason for this surgical procedure, then an alternative non-invasive option should be presented and discussed thoroughly.
Eileen,
Your words are golden!
Yes, we do need to trust our OBGYN and discuss all in detail.
What I learned is that we do need to check out our 2nd opinion options, too.
Sometimes, they could be life savers.
Reading your post has been super informating and quite enlighting. More women should know about this so I am gonna share it. Thank you
Chad,
Yes, any woman needs to know the facts and realities. It doesn’t mean that every single woman will need a hysterectomy. But to know about it is a must. That’s how I view it.
Very informative post on women’s reproductive health! I am considering a hysterectomy in a few years!
Wow, Steph,
I am sure you are on top of the options and what the effects of hysterectomy are.
Hugs to you.
I’m only learning about this now- so women actually undergo a hysterectomy. I’m really scared about surgeries and I’d advise anyone to go for any procedure only if it impacts their health, otherwise, I find it unnecessary.
Dalene,
Each woman needs to know a ton of facts when it concerns her health.
Hysterectomy is not all white and black. It calls for many opinions and your own knowledge and research.
This is such an interesting and yet very informative post to read and share with others. We can definitely avoid these things if we are going to starts to have a healthy lifestyle.
Going to be 40 in 3 years and didn’t know I would need to visit a physiotherapist then. Thanks for letting know.
I know so many post-menopausal women who have unfortunately undergone a hysterectomy, including both of my grandmothers. I’ve always feared that I would have to get it one day, myself.
This is quite a vital information for women everywhere. Glad that somebody is trying to blog about it and shedding light on this sensitive topic.
Thank you, Sundeep,
Yes, women do need to take care of their health issues and do a ton of research on their own.
This is really helpful and informative! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope more women could understand this.
Toni,
It is our personal responsibility and obligation to our families to be aware of so many medical conditions.
Hysterectomy is one of them.
Wow! There are so many new info for me! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Catalina,
It is important not to freak out, but rather take on board the information. What we learn – empowers us in our decision-making.Especially, when we go through medical trauma and conditions.
It’s great to know that healthy eating habits can help to flush out excess estrogen. Interesting that excess estrogen can lead to weight gain, breast pain, and stomachaches.
Norma,
Each body is unique. But knowing the wide-spread facts that have been confirmed by peer-reviewed studies is a must to take a better care of your own well-being.
Those numbers are staggering! 1 in 3 women? Wow! I would definitely explore other options before having surgery. My cousin had to have a complete hysterectomy and removal of her ovaries due to a rare cancer.
Sherry,
There are so many women who are not aware about any options. What we learn can only empower us in our decision-making when the time comes.
That’s insane! I had no idea that people were having this done so unnecessarily. I’ve had 2 friends who have had hysterectomies in the last 3 months.
Lisa,
What is MORE insane that many of those hysterectomies could be avoided!
Empowering ourselves with facts and knowledge gives us a better chance to explore other options in our health.
I can’t imagine the devastating side effects of having the ovaries suddenly removed. That sudden drop of hormones would be intense.
Rachel,
You are right. The hormonal disbalance is so huge that a woman can esily experience the darkest sides of her life, all due to hormones not being there.
Thank you for such an interesting post. I love how you explained your reasons. Luckily this isn’t something I will have to deal with now that I am not planning on having anymore kids.
This was an eye opening post. It is sad to think thta too many ladies have gone through this.
Yes, Tara, many of those surgeries could have been avoided.
This is really good to know. I never wanted to ever get a hysterectomy before anyways. I’m glad to hear it’s good overall to not get one. Makes me feel better about not wanting one.
Kathy,
It is important for every woman to be aware of options!
Some women fear menopause like it is a kind of dreaded disease. I have been through it and it was not at all that bad. I guess I can’t say that it is true for all women. However, undergoing hysterectomy, without any sound medical need for it is too extreme for me. There are other ways to help women cope with the symptoms of menopause without resorting to surgery.
Thank you for all the helpful information about hysterectomies.
Kristal,
You’re welcome. What we know makes us more powerful.
Annemarie,
Each woman has her own menopause symptoms, all based on her lifestyle, genes, and many other factors.
But knowing the options that are out there is important for any of us.
Taking out the ovaries just because a doctor says so is not good!
Wow, I had no idea, but it makes sense! I think doctors really need to start becoming more in-tune with patient needs versus just trying to make a buck off of us!