Informed consent law for hysterectomies

What is informed consent? The client should be given all of the side effects and options for any major, radical, life altering surgery. Yet, in Florida my doctor was not required to do so. Have you noticed a drug company advertisements long list of side effects? My doctor told me directly there were no side effects for a hysterectomy other than not being able to have children. According to peer reviewed published studies, that is not true. 

I am not the only client that has reported a similar situation. Hysterectomy has side effects. It is not menopause. There is no such thing as surgical menopause. You can not physically have menopause without your female organs. I guess a marketing company decided to call it something more palpable for women, no? To have menopause, requires my uterus and ovaries. I do not have them now. I will not have menopause. 

I asked him directly "what are the side effects of hysterectomy". He replied "none". He was wrong. Hysterectomy has dangerous life altering adverse effects. 

In pre-op, the surgical nurse handed me a form to sign that stated I would not be able to have children after this surgery and transmitted it to the state. Apparently there has been some issues with that otherwise, I doubt the State of Florida would require it. The surgeon directly asked the nurse "did you transmit the form to the State?" She said "yes". Then he continued to fill out paperwork directly in front of me. I am requesting the State of Florida to add a line to that form about the side effects and all options to be signed 36 hours BEFORE surgery

Florida is the hysterectomy capital of the US because of the age group and number of doctors in the State. 

There are many numerous science studies (and more every year) with proven detrimental side effects of this castration.

1. Weight gain - inability to lose weight. 

2. Dryness - all over from the groin, skin, eyes, and scalp

3. Dementia  

4. Cardio vascular issues

5. Osteoporosis

6. Back pain, joint and muscle stiffness

These are well documented and real long term side effects (plus many more) that the doctor did not tell me. 

The goal of this petition is to ask the Florida Board of Medicine to require an additional line on the form transmitted to the State. It should require that the doctor spend the time to go over each and every side effect and ALL of a woman's options before surgery. This is not reversible. My doctor didn't tell me about my other surgical options. It would not be hard to add a line to fully inform women about the consequences and all of her options. 

Cheers, Tricia

Research:
Check out HERs Foundation Nora Coffey

If you are having suicidal thoughts or tendencies after this surgery, please call the national hotline. 1-800-273-8255  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org . It shows strength to ask for help. Also google your local and state agencies for assistance.

Search google scholar for adverse effects from hysterectomies. The first article that came up said "they are just now researching the long term side effects" and (to paraphrase) found many problems. Basically ladies, you have been a guinea pig to profit. In order to truly understand such studies, you'll need an experimental design class but I have a few suggestions. 

1. Ask who is paying for the study? This is critical. Do they profit from it?
2. Has this study been replicated exactly? One time can be a fluke.
3. How many people are in the study? It can be tough to get participation. Which is why it was easier for them to do this to women first, then study it.
4. Do they have a broad demographic of people for the study?