by KYW's Dr. Brian McDonough
The overall rate of hysterectomies has declined substantially in the United States since 1965.
(The rate is increasing in one group: women between the ages of 75 and 84 years old. But this may be because this group is healthier than ever and could benefit from the surgery without greater risk.)
There are several major reasons for hysterectomies; fibroid tumors, an overgrowth of muscle on the uterus, accounts for 28 percent of hysterectomies. Pre-cancerous conditions account for 23 percent, and pelvic floor disorders account for 12 percent.
A study out of Minnesota also found that one of the major reasons for the overall decrease in total hysterectomies is the fact that cancer is being detected earlier, before removal of the uterus is required.
Another major reason is that procedures are now available which don’t require complete removal of the uterus -- they can actually remove only part of the organ.
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