N.Y. Public Health Law 2496 – Written summary regarding hysterectomy
§ 2496. Written summary regarding hysterectomy. The commissioner, in consultation with the medical society of the state of New York, consumers and others knowledgeable on the topic of hysterectomy shall develop a standardized written summary which shall explain:
1. the common diagnoses for which hysterectomy is a common treatment including but not limited to uterine leiomyofibroma, endometriosis, disorders of menstruation, premalignant or malignant changes in uterus or cervix and salpingo-oophoritis;
2. alternative treatments to hysterectomy for such diagnoses, in accordance with accepted medical practices;
3. the types of hysterectomy including radical, subtotal abdominal, total abdominal and vaginal;
4. the common physiological changes, side effects, risks and benefits which result after each type of hysterectomy or alternative is performed;
5. that the hysterectomy is irreversible, results in infertility and the end of menstruation; and
6. an oophorectomy, a treatment often associated with hysterectomy, including unilateral, bilateral and salpingo-oophorectomy.