Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:29:15 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/inaccurate-and-misogynistic-why-we-need-to-make-the-term-hysterectomy-history-257972>

"Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your
appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The
suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so these terms
give us a clear idea of what the procedure entails.

So why is the removal of the uterus called a hysterectomy and not a uterectomy?

The name hysterectomy is rooted in a mental health condition – “hysteria” –
that was once believed to affect women. But we now know this condition doesn’t
exist.

Continuing to call this significant operation a hysterectomy both perpetuates
misogyny and hampers people’s understanding of what it is."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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