"We keep this important book in our waiting room and recommend it highly to our patients."

  Jennifer Berman, M.D., and Laura Berman, Ph.D.
    Directors of the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA,
    Hosts of Berman & Berman: For Women Only
    Authors of For Women Only

"Through thorough research and drawing on personal experience Elizabeth Plourde has successfully put together a very informative guide for women contemplating undergoing a hysterectomy. The book is straight forward and digestible, making it a simple and useful tool for female patients. Ms. Plourde explores the after-effects of hysterectomy and oophorectomy, with a great focus on hormones, physiological dysfunction and general well-being. For the uninformed patient this book represents a practical synthesis of that which women are generally not told, and therefore cannot give a truly informed consent. The extensive list of references provides additional resources for self-directed study, and makes this book a good first step in education about one of the more pressing gynecological concerns of our time."

  Ernst G. Bartsich, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
    Clinical Associate Professor,
    Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York
  Sophie Bartsich, Author of: The Other Choice:
    A Comprehensive Guide for Women with Uterine Fibroids

"As a leader in the field of alternatives to hysterectomy, I thank Elizabeth Plourde for compiling such a complete informative story. Women should know that there are alternative therapies and procedures for certain gynecological conditions. Hysterectomy is a life altering procedure for most women, however, for some, it is life saving. For others, there are alternative therapies that are less invasive but successful without removing internal organs. The balance of alternative and traditional medicine is a new concept for many physicians. I will continue to educate both doctors and patients to the many new alternatives available in the hopes of creating a higher quality of life for many women and their varying needs. This book is very valuable and an easy to read story for any woman contemplating a life altering procedure."

  Seth J. Herbst, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
    Institute for Women's Health & Body-West Palm Beach, FL

"Many of the millions of women who undergo hysterectomy go through this surgical procedure uninformed about the procedure's side-effects and even dangers. This book provides women with the essential information that they need about the destructive changes that hysterectomy and removal of ovaries can cause within their bodies. A must-read for women who are facing or recovering from surgery. The book is well-documented with many scientific references."

  Susan M. Lark, M.D.
    Author of: The Estrogen Decision

"A must read for all women: especially those contemplating hysterectomy or hormone replacement therapy. Elizabeth Plourde has evaluated relevant information from the vast body of scientific research and her own personal experience and presents her unique perspective coherently for the reader's consideration."

  Allan H. Lane, M.D.
    The Health Restoration Medical Clinic--Tustin, California

"A riveting expose of the potential downside of these surgeries and the problems with hormone balancing that can result. The thorough research and extensive documentation provides the information and wisdom all women have a right to know before making health-care decisions. I highly recommend this admirable work."

  John R. Lee, M.D. Author of:
    What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, and
    What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause

"If only women would read this book, hysterectomies would be as scarce as testicle removal. It's a wise woman who is armed with all the information to make a proper health decision when it comes to the effect of hysterectomy on her life. You will find more than enough to think about here."

  Larrian Gillespie, M.D.
    Author of: The Menopause Diet, and You Don't Have to Live with Cystitis

"I was very impressed with all the research that has been done to put this book together. I certainly like the unbiased way in which the information is presented. I learned a lot from this book and I will most definitely recommend it to my female patients considering a hysterectomy."

  Karima Hirani, M.D., M.P.H.
    Hirani Wellness Medical Center, Inc.-Los Angeles, CA

"This book presents the downside to hysterectomy, usually done for heavy vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain or both, not for cancer. Although at least 80% of women say they feel much better after the hysterectomy, some women, mainly those who also had both ovaries removed, feel worse-even after standard hormone replacement therapy. Not all of the conditions attributed to hysterectomy are clearly related to the surgery or resulting hormone changes. Nevertheless, the author makes a cogent case that 1) no woman should have a hysterectomy (for a noncancerous condition) without considering the alternatives, and 2) no woman should have her ovaries removed (in the absence of specific pathology) without her permission."

  Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, M.D.
    Chief, Division of Epidemiology
    Professor, Department Family & Preventive Medicine
    University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California

This book is long overdue!

As a scientist and medical biochemist I applaud this book. It is full of up-to-date factual information that is invaluable to the modern women. The many excellent references make this a valuable resource book. Because this book does cover a woman's health picture, it should be on her bedside table. Instead of hysterectomies and oophorectomies a woman should utilize natural therapies that facilitate the body's own healing process.

This book is long overdue and I am sure that it will be met with great enthusiasm.

Thank you for your fine effort.

  Dr. William Fullerton, M.A., Ph.D., FAIC
     Health Therapeutics, Inc. - Solana Beach, CA

I am so glad that Elizabeth Plourde had the courage to write in detail about the shameful practice of routinely giving women hysterectomies when they are not necessary.

This is a book every woman needs to read!.

A compelling MUST READ book to make an informed decision!!

"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 an informed decision."

  Ellen B. - USA