Misinformed Consent: Women's Stories about Unnecessary Hysterectomy

By Lise Cloutier-Steele

In Misinformed Consent, Lise Cloutier-Steele has joined other survivors to speak out about the prejudices and the traumas that accompanied their hysterectomies. In combining their moving personal stories, the women of Misinformed Consent hope to:

• enlighten readers with honest accounts on the impact that surgical castration can have on a woman’s sexuality
• dispel the myth that all women feel wonderful after a hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy
• provide information on alternative treatments
• warn others against the potential dangers of hormone replacement therapy
• offer validation to those who suffer greatly from the aftereffects of hysterectomy and oophorectomy
• empower women everywhere to demand better and more honest care

"There is a lot of hype about the glories of [the body] in our news media today, however, when it comes to a woman's reproductive organs, all too often the news we hear is glorifying the hysterectomy. Lise Cloutier-Steele has done an excellent job in bringing information to women from another perspective: the many reasons why our uteri should not be removed and the value of the natural ovarian function for our entire bodies. Adding to this, she has collected stories from women who explain in detail the consequences they have endured from this operation.

After reading these experiences, it becomes quite clear that the chance a woman takes undergoing a hysterectomy is far greater than the time and effort it would take to find a uterus-sparing alternative surgery or a medical solution. This book contains many excellent resources, information on compounding pharmacies, medical terminology and questions to ask doctors to help women become truly informed about their own bodies." —Dorothy Flood, USA

About the author:

Lise Cloutier-Steele is a communications specialist and a professional writer and editor, who has survived a traumatic experience with hysterectomy. She has appeared on Canada AM, the Women’s Television Network, The Phil Donahue Show, The Body and Health Show, and several other media to talk about the important topic of unnecessary hysterectomy in North America.

She is also the author of "Living and Learning with a Child Who Stutters", and she is the recipient of a Canada 125 Award in recognition of a significant contribution to the community and to Canada for her volunteer efforts to help children who stutter and their parents

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Uploaded Nov 2004, Updated Jan 2005