Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations University of Queenlsand Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations

Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Women's Health Australia homepage about the Women's Health Australia project Women's Health Australia staff Women's Health Australia current events Women's Health Australia surveys and data Women's Health Australia substudies information for Women's Health Australia participants University of Newcastle contact Women's Health Australia Women's Health Australia publications and presentations Welcome to Women's Health Australia (WHA)

 
 


Book Chapter published in 2006

Graham M, James EL, Keleher H & Byles J. Predictors of hysterectomy as a treatment for menstrual symptoms.

Background: Hysterectomy is a common procedure in Australia with approximately one in five Australian women undergoing a hysterectomy by the age of 50 [1] for indications such as fibroids, disorders of menstruation (including excessive or irregular menstrual bleeding) and endometriosis. However, little is known about the characteristics of women who have had the procedure, or the predictors of hysterectomy as a treatment for menstrual symptoms. This study of middle-aged Australian women suffering from menstrual symptoms, aimed to identify the health and demographic characteristics that predict hysterectomy for the treatment of these problems. Methods: A cross-sectional and a prospective cohort study were undertaken as a sub-study of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (Women’s Health Australia). Women from the mid-aged cohort of the Women’s Health Australia study who identified having menstrual problems in the 1996 and 1998 surveys or who had undergone a hysterectomy during that time, were recruited. A self-administered instrument was mailed to the women in 2000. Data were analysed using Backwards Logistic Regression to predict hysterectomy as a treatment for menstrual symptoms. Results: The predictors of hysterectomy as a treatment for menstrual symptoms were varied. They included the number of menstrual symptoms experienced or conditions diagnosed (such as fibroids or excessive menstrual bleeding), a perception that there was information available about menstrual symptoms, being influenced in the decision making process to elect a treatment option, and dissatisfaction with the other treatments tried prior to hysterectomy. Conclusions: The lack of information about alternatives to hysterectomy is of concern. Alternatives are available and should be offered in the context of information provision about relief of menstrual symptoms, prior to definitive options such as hysterectomy. The lack of knowledge among health professionals about effective treatments for menstrual symptoms may contribute to their role in influencing women’s decision-making process to elect hysterectomy as a treatment for menstrual symptoms.
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Last updated: 9 June 2006 by Cath Chojenta © Copyright