Introduction

Every 10 minutes, 12 hysterectomies are performed in the United States. According to a recent report published by Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9 of them probably didn't meet the guidelines set out by the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists for hysterectomy. How and why is this occurring?

Uterine fibroids. The vast majority of hysterectomies are performed due to the presence of uterine fibroids.

Possibly as many as 80% of all women have uterine fibroids. While the majority usually have no symptoms, 1 in 4 end up with symptoms severe enough to require treatment.

The more you know about uterine fibroids and your reproductive system, the better equipped you are to understand your treatment options and how to maintain and/or achieve a higher Quality of Life, regardless of the presence of this disease. Hysterectomy is certainly a treatment option. It isn't, necessarily, your only option.