Patient Information (support groups, finding a physician, what to expect)

This section of the website offers information that PPOs might want to make available to patients. While patients are welcome to review the information here, they are also encouraged to visit external websites and discuss options with their personal physicians.

Hysterectomy information for patients is available on web sites of many physician and hospital organizations, as well as through patient support groups.  About 1 out of 10 hysterectomies today is performed to treat cancer. Quite often the most clinically appropriate choice for cancer treatment is abdominal hysterectomy. The other 9 out of 10 hysterectomies are done to treat other medical problems including fibroids, bleeding problems, prolapsed uterus or endometrial hyperplasia, or endometriosis.  For many of these conditions there may be alternatives to surgery.  The first question any woman should ask if referred for surgery is:

“Are there satisfactory alternatives to surgery that will solve my clinical problem?”  There may be alternatives to hysterectomy that resolve the problem.  If a woman decides to go forward with surgery, she should ask, “What is the least ‘invasive’ approach available to me to have the surgery?”  

These are two key issues that a PPO would want the patient to consider.  PPO links and web-based information should guide women to information about alternatives that would address the patient’s symptoms effectively instead of a hysterectomy; for patients who do decide to go forward with a hysterectomy, PPO patient information should provide links to help the member identify the least invasive approach that is clinically appropriate. All surgical procedures carry risks and benefits, and there are risks to less invasive approaches too.  PPOs can help provide patients with the information needed to make informed decisions.

Patient Information Sites for Hysterectomy
The web sites highlighted below explain the different types of procedures and when they might be offered to different types of patients.  The important element for patients is to talk with the doctor and ask about all the options, both medical and surgical.  For women opting for surgery it is important to talk the surgeon about the least invasive approach to surgery.  A minimally invasive surgical procedure is likely to result in less pain, a shorter recovery, faster return to work and a lower chance of infection. 

MedlinePlus is a service of the National Institutes of Health
The web site has links to hysterectomy information in multiple languages and from credible sources

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

The National Women’s Health Information Center

American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons “Patients as Partners in Surgical Care” site contains educational information to help patients become informed about surgical care.

Aetna Intelihealth
This patient information web site includes information on when and why a hysterectomy might be performed, and includes information on types of surgeries.

More Magazine
This women’s health magazine has a thorough article on hysterectomy that outlines some considerations for women how have been recommended to have a hysterectomy.