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

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a book every woman needs to read. When women are informed, they will not allow themselves to be mutilated in this way. -- Louise L. Hay Author of: "You Can Heal Your Life" and "Empowering Women"

A riveting expose of the potential downside of the surgery and the problems with hormone balancing that can result... -- 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 peri-menopause"

Product Description

An understandable guide for consumers looking for answers concerning female organ removal and hormone replacement therapy. It simplifies the biochemical changes surgeries create and illustrates how organ loss impacts the entire body. A must read whether women have had surgery or are faced with the decision of hysterectomy, or ovary removal. It is also essential for all women considering or taking hormone replacement therapy. The thoroughly researched and well-documented (856 references) material empowers women to make truly informed health-care choices.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: New Voice Publications (October 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966173503
• ISBN-13: 978-0966173505
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,608,435 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BOOK BEFORE MAKING A DECISION...., July 8, 2001

By A Customer

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!

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth at last!, July 29, 2000

By	Sparkey (Hialeah,Florida) - See all my reviews

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

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Well intentioned but fanatically opinionated, October 22, 2000

By	Kelly Skrimstad (Simi Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

There can be no mistake that the autor of this books experience with her hysterectomy / oopherectomy were tanamount to rape. I feel for her from the very bottom of my heart. I also believe through my own experience with my own TVH/BSO,(5 months ago at age 38 and it's subsequent aftermath, which included complications similar to the authors) that for the most part our medical establishment does not adequately inform nor support women who have these types of surgeries. I had done extensive research before making my decision to have my surgery, and had already arranged to begin natural hormone replacement therapy immediately following. Establishing the proper dosage of NHRT has admittedly been more challenging than I had anticipated, however, I feel that I am now close to being even better than I ever was before my surgery.

There are always risks and trade-offs in chosing to alter yourself surgically. While I can not even *imagine* the HELL that women have endured (having gone through this type of surgery without conset, nor effective hormone replacement therapy) I feel that this book completely negates the *possible* healing options that these surgeries *can* provide. Let us not lose sight of the misery that has lead us to face the choice of whether or not to have irreversable surgery. I was really miserable! And what about those women who have no choice. Who must have this surgery to save their lives? I feel that this book throws them to the (emotionl) wolves ... so to speak.

Surgical decisions should never be taken lightly, and I applaud the author's intent to inform women (in advance). I really do. I can not however recommend this book because the information here is presented in such a slanted, biased fahion. She draws wild conclusions and presents them as fact. She does not differentiate between a statistical correlation and absolute cause and effect. I am genuinely concerned that this "doomed" view will cause even more suffering in women who are already struggling with their own healing. Make no mistake ... this *is* a serious decision, and one that has caused a lot of suffering. I am simply here to say that because it was such for the author, (with proper support) it need not necessarily be so for you. Inform yourslef with facts ... not fear.