The Ultimate Rape: What Every Woman Should Know about Hysterectomies and Ovarian Removal

This book is a must read for anyone comtemplating "ANY TYPE OF SURGERY INVOLVING THE REPRODUCTIVE" organs. I thought I did all possible to search for a Doctor who did not believe in removing organs to remove fibroid tumors. I went to a doctor who's associate wrote a book on fibroids. The objective of the book was to inform women of the aternatives methods of removing fibroid tumors. I assumed his associate would have the same philosophy. HRT is a VERY LUCRATIVE business and I think this associate doctor had his own agenda of maximizing his returns and creating a long term HRT patient. (He billed the insurance company by the parts removed.) He tried to convince me that I was at high risk for ovarian cancer. (I have found that this is not true.) Before the surgery, I specifically asked him if he could take a biopsy of my ovaries to make sure removal was necessary. He said, "yes". I awoke to find I had no ovaries. According to him, the good news was that - THERE WAS NO CANCER!! He did no biopsy to avoid this life altering surgery. I SAY - KNOW THE DOCTOR FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THE SURGERY!!! Decisions like these show the relationship between the pharmaceutical companies and the doctors. This doctor is no different than a mechanic who, while fixing your car, breaks something to keep you coming back. THe big difference - THE STAKES ARE MUCH, MUCH HIGHER!!!! Doctors and pharmacist are "NOT GODS". HRT could never exactly match the natural hormonal balance for each individual body. Unfortunately, the hit and miss tactics of getting it right can cause pain, suffering and grave side effects!! This book does not make decisions for you. It simply lets you know the consequences sometimes not explained by physicians who gain from your ignorance!

After 15+ years of dealing with severe endometriosis, I'm afraid that I bought into the "Oh, you'll be better than new!" theory. Or, as author Naomi Stokes called it, "The Great Conspiracy of Silence." I was 37 years old and had heard from countless gyns, starting in my early 20s, that having a hysterectomy/oophorectomy was my only "answer."So I did finally did it. After all...each and every gyn (all male, by the way) had told me that I'd be just fine. That it "wasn't any big deal."But I knew, rather soon after my surgery, that something just wasn't "right"...that my recovery wasn't going as well as everybody told it would...so I started to read. And I discovered, to my complete horror and much too late, of course, that the cost of this surgery was far too high a price to pay. Had I known then what I now know...I would NEVER have had the surgery.I've now read, literally, dozens of books about hysterectomy, menopause, HRT...you name it. And I've found that Ms. Plourde's book, "The Ultimate Rape," is, without a doubt, the most complete source for information about this devasting surgery which continues to be performed on 500,000+ women every year.I think this book should be a "must" read for EVERY woman. If you've been told that you "have" to have a hysterectomy...PLEASE get this book. If someone in your family, or a friend, has been told she needs a hysterectomy...please buy her this book. And if you're like me, post surgery, perhaps even many years post surgery but still searching for ways of learning to accept a body, mind, and spirit that's forever changed...read this book! I'd like to make one last comment regarding some of the negative reviews I've seen here. All I can say to you ladies is that you, sadly, continue to be part of the problem...the reason this surgery is still performed at such a high rate in this country (for reasons other than diagnosed cancer). If you're one of the "lucky ones" who really thinks your life is better now than before your surgery...why are you here? Having this surgery was the biggest mistake of my life. I only have gratitude and respect in my heart for Ms. Plourde for writing this book. SHE had the courage to speak out. Thank you, Ms. Plourde, for not only sharing your personal experiences but for also spending countless research hours to create a wonderful list of resources.

I have had a hysterectomy with a BSO (both ovaries and tubes removed),in Nov. of 99. Before and after my surgery,I have done alot of medical research and just reading medical literature,in general.Mostly,OB/GYN related topics.I have read so many books on hysterectomy and alot on menopause,both surgical and natural.This book is definately a must read.Elizabeths' book can open womens' eyes,before they make the choice to have this radical surgery done.So many hysterectomies are unnecessary,and Gyns in general are just too quick to recommend them,for just about any problem that may arise.My surgery was elective surgery,and the decision was made solely by me.A good majority of women are not aware of the alternatives to hysterectomy and place their lives and well-being in Doctors' hands,since they really know no other way,and therefore,feel that there is no other choice.Alot of women need to educate themselves and start doing the research,,,the moment that a hysterectomy is mentioned.Elizabeths' book is so to the point and so very accurate and easy to understand,especially if you enjoy reading that type of literature.A decision to have this surgery,is one that is not reversible,and the more these women can learn,the better.I hope that all women faced with this dilemma,will do themselves a great favor and read this wonderful book.There really is no book like it,out there.Docs will lead these poor,unsuspecting women to believe that the surgery is no big deal and that there will be absolutely no consequences,,,,I am living proof that there are consequences.I developed fibromyalgia after my surgery.When you mention that one to the docs,,,,they dismiss it and say,,,,no way can there be a connection! Just like they will dismiss alot of other problems after surgery.Ladies,please listen and please give yourselves the pleasure of reading this wonderful book.Even though I do not regret having made the choice to have my surgery..(docs left it up to me,they know how much medical reading I do),I am an example of just one of the things that can go wrong,after having a LAVH/BSO (laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy).I have other problems,too,,,,and these problems will probably not be mentioned by your doctors,before you have the surgery.Elizabeth,however can show you so much in her book.Again,I urge you to get this wonderful knowledge under your belt.Please Love yourselves enough to read it.Elizabeth,,,thank you so much for sharing all this wonderful info,and thanks for caring enough to help women with this awful dilemma. Love,Sparkey

Out of all the books I have read its gives the most comprehensive explanation of the physical, mental, and emotional difficulties we are experiencing. It even explains some things that puzzled me like: I felt really good right after my surgery and then it was like the bottom fell out. According to the book it takes between 6-12 months before you start to recognize your symptoms (I really felt mine at around 6 months). I look back and realize that I got small signals all along but at 6 months they make me sit up and pay attention. She also includes a quote from a physiology textbook that is perfect -- because I couldn't explain the deadness I felt inside after surgery, something different from depression. This book was helpful in finally putting the final pieces in my own mind of what has happened to me. Its not enough to say I'm sad that I can't have kids, its not enough to say my body is stressed from the rigors of surgery -- but it makes it crystal clear to say that hysterectomies and the resultant loss of hormones/chemicals that those organs produced in a cyclic fashion impacts every bodily system -- that ensures normal health and well-being.

A compelling MUST READ for anyone contemplating a hysterectomy and for those who have already had one. Easy to read, written in layman's terms, informative, thoroughly researched (over 500 footnotes) and enlightening. There is no hidden agenda - just strong data to educate and enable women to make informed decisions. This book tells you things your doctor should have told you but did not.