Rating: 
Summary: Women Empowered by Knowledge
Review: The hope that change is possible not only motivates Lise Cloutier-Steele and the women telling their stories in Misinformed Consent, but also is illustrated by the example given by Stanley West, MD, in his introduction to this book. Talking about his observation of how the disfiguring radical mastectomy has been replaced by the lumpectomy as the "gold standard" in the medical field, Dr. West states that it was not medical professionals who instigated this change: "Rather women-empowered by knowledge-stated simply that they would no longer allow a disfiguring operation to be performed when they could undergo an equally successful surgery without the negative consequences." While for so long a blanket of silence has covered the risks and consequences of hysterectomy, it is time for change. This is not light or entertaining reading, but a courageous sharing of private pain by women who want knowledge to effect change. Each and every woman, whether or not she is personally contemplating a hysterectomy or has already experienced one herself, would benefit from reading Misinformed Consent. -Bets Davis & Lisa Martinez for "The Women's Sexual Health Foundation...this book is listed as one of our recommended resources.
Rating: 
Summary: For the Top of Your Reading List
Review: 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-Steel 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.
| 
