---
title: What factors are associated with having a hysterectomy in women veterans?
description: 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
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevalence-of-hysterectomy-and-associated-factors-in-women-veterans-affairs-2005/
---

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- What factors are associated with having a hysterectomy in women veterans?

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.

 Early or limited evidence

1,935 women who received care at Veterans Affairs medical center in the West Midlands region

## 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/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15841928/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/)[PTSD and trauma](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ptsd-trauma/)[Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-pcos/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Chronic pain and fibromyalgia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-chronic-pain/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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