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Hysterectomy in the United States, 2000–2004

Frequency of Hysterectomy

• Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed each year in the United States. Hysterectomy is the second most frequent major surgical procedure among reproductive-aged women.
   
• From 2000 through 2004, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. women had a hysterectomy.
   
• The hysterectomy rate decreased slightly from 5.4 per 1,000 in 2000 to 5.1 per 1,000 in 2004.
   
• From 2000 through 2004, rates of hysterectomy differed by age.
   
  • Overall rates were highest among women aged 40–44 years and lowest among women aged 15–24 years.
     
  • Hysterectomy rates among women aged 50–54 years decreased significantly over the study period, from 8.9 per 1,000 in 2000 to 6.7 per 1,000 in 2004.
     
• Hysterectomy rates also differed by geographic region.
   
  • The overall rate during the study period was highest for women living in the South (6.3 per 1,000) and lowest for those in the Northeast (4.3 per 1,000).
     
  • Hysterectomy rates in the Northeast decreased significantly from 4.9 per 1,000 in 2000 to 3.7 per 1,000 in 2004.

Conditions Associated with Hysterectomy

• During 2000–2004, the three conditions most often associated with hysterectomy were uterine leiomyoma ("fibroid tumors"), endometriosis, and uterine prolapse.
   
• The proportion of hysterectomies with an indication of uterine leiomyoma decreased significantly over the study period from 44.2% in 2000 to 38.7% in 2004.

Hysterectomy Surveillance

• CDC compiles information on hysterectomies by using data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Data from national hysterectomy surveillance can be used to increase understanding of the relative public health importance of the conditions that lead to hysterectomy, identify changes in clinical practice, and assist in setting biomedical research priorities.

Whiteman MK, Hillis SD, Jamieson DJ, Morrow B, Podgornik MN, Brett KM, Marchbanks PA. Inpatient hysterectomy surveillance in the United States, 2000–2004. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008:198(1):34.e1–7.

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Page last reviewed: 9/22/08
Page last modified: 9/22/08
Content source: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion