Survey study, 2005
What factors are associated with having a hysterectomy in women veterans?
Premenstrual syndrome was one of several factors. Women with PMS were 1.6 times more likely to have had a hysterectomy (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3). Other factors included older age, multiple pregnancies, and PCOS.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey mailed to 1,935 women at a Veterans Affairs medical center between October 1996 and January 1998. The survey asked about hysterectomy status, demographics, medical history including whether they had PMS, and mental health using validated scales.
What they found
32% of women had a hysterectomy. Women with PMS had 1.6 times higher odds (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3). Hysterectomy prevalence increased sharply with age: 12% in 18-39-year-olds, 35% in 40-49-year-olds, and 57% in women 50 or older. Other significant factors: older age (OR 1.1), multiple pregnancies (OR 1.6), PCOS (OR 3.3), chronic pelvic pain (OR 3.2), and IBS (OR 1.8).
What it means for you
Women with PMS were more likely to have had hysterectomies, suggesting surgery was sometimes recommended for PMS treatment. However, this is a cross-sectional study, so we cannot tell whether PMS caused the hysterectomy or if other factors were involved.
32%
Overall hysterectomy prevalence
OR 1.6
Increased odds of hysterectomy with PMS
1,935
Number of women surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of hysterectomy and associated factors in women Veterans Affairs patients
- Authors
- Gardella C, Johnson KM, Dobie DJ et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of reproductive medicine
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational study examining associations between medical conditions and prior hysterectomy.
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15841928/
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