Author of the book Hormone Heresy, Sherrill laments... "It is staggering to think how many thousands or millions of women have been doomed to a crippled old age or early death because their ovaries and/or uterus were unnecessarily removed before menopause and natural progesterone replacement was ignored." Dr. Stanley West, chief of endocrinology and infertility at St.

Typically the uterus is not an organ that is at an increased risk for developing cancer in the presence of a BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation. However, a patient may have some gynecological issues that may require her uterus to be removed. Removal of the uterus is strictly a gynecological issue, and the patient should discuss the risks, benefits, and limitations of this surgery with her gynecologist. See similar questions...

Long-term, it can lead to laxative addiction; electrolyte imbalances, which can cause heart failure; ulcers; bowel damage; inflammation and sometimes tearing of the esophagus, and tingling in the hands and feet. Depression is common among individuals with eating disorders. See similar questions...

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general. The list of diseases caused by smoking has been expanded to include abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cataract, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, pneumonia, periodontitis, and stomach cancer. See similar questions...

Episiotomy is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the perineum during the second stage of labor when the baby's head is crowning. It was thought that an episiotomy lessened the incidence of perineal tears. According to WHO, about 60% of women receive an episiotomy during their delivery. The cut is surgically stitched after the birth. The practice of performing episiotomies as a standard procedure is highly controversial. Women may experience complications after an episiotomy. See similar questions...

Hysterectomy is the second most commonly performed surgery in the United States. Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually, with the ovaries removed in about half of these cases. A total or complete hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and cervix are removed. The term oophorectomy (or ovariectomy) refers to the removal of the ovaries, either one (unilateral) or both (bilateral). The fallopian tubes also may be removed in a procedure called salpingectomy. See similar questions...

Depending upon your symptoms, there are several different alternatives to hysterectomy. Majority of hysterectomies are performed either due to abnormal bleeding or fibroids. If you have irregular bleeding and your uterus is not too big, endometrial ablation (destruction of the endometrial lining) can be viable option to hysterectomy (look up section under hysteroscopy). If you have fibroids, a myomectomy (removal of fibroids) may be viable treatment for you. See similar questions...

The credit for medical insurance may be taxable as income to you. So if you have alternatives for health coverage, then it will be to your advantage to waive the University Medical Insurance Plan by filing a medical insurance waiver form with Student Accounting Services, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston MA, 02215, by August 16, 2007. It is your responsibility to report income to the Internal Revenue Service and pay taxes as required. See similar questions...

It is normal to have various concerns when faced with the possibility of having a hysterectomy. A woman's emotions are often based on her beliefs about the importance of her uterus, her fears about her health or personal relationships after a hysterectomy, and concerns about her enjoyment of sexual activities after surgery. If you are considering a hysterectomy, talk with your health professional about your specific fears and anxieties concerning the surgery. See similar questions...

Of course there are other options. In my experience, most women who are told they require a hysterectomy for fibroids would actually benefit from medical therapy or a safer and less invasive surgical option that preserves their uterus. See similar questions...

You can still have a mammogram when you have breast implants. If you have had a total hysterectomy, you will not need a Pap smear. See similar questions...

There would be consequences. All of CDC's animal research is done to advance knowledge to improve the health and well-being of humans. For example, CDC has ongoing research involving its chimpanzees to look for a vaccine to prevent deadly hepatitis C. Hepatitis C causes chronic liver disease which can be fatal, and is the leading cause for liver transplants. See similar questions...

Substance abuse can increase risk-taking behaviors, which can have serious consequences. Alcohol and drug abuse is a leading cause of teen death or injury related to car accidents, suicides, violence, and drowning. Substance abuse can increase the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), resulting from unprotected sexual activity. See similar questions...

Bulimia, left undiagnosed, can be a life-threatening illness. Binging can lead to obesity and the plethora of health complications associated with obesity. These include, but are not limited to, heart disease, osteoarthritis, type II diabetes, and hypertension. More alarming, however, are the effects of constant purging. Purging through vomiting can lead to periodontal disease, inflammation of the jaw, salivary glands, and esophagus. See similar questions...