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Re: hysterctomy for endometriosisFrom: ampyali (anonymous@obgyn.net)Tue May 26 11:20:52 2009
Sorry you are having so many problems. It's important to understand that hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. Most gyns treat endo they find by zapping it with lasers or electrocautery tools, and then removing the uterus. They only treat the visible part of the endo implant and leave the core of it imbedded in your pelvic tissues. It's just a matter of time before the endo symptoms return because it's still there. In my case, it came back worse than before because the electrocautery just got it really angry. Other doctors treat endo by removing the uterus and/or ovaries --that just doesn't make sense and is why the disease often "comes back" after hysterectomy--it was never removed in the first place! Drugs like Lupron cause a temporary suppression of the hormones that feed the implants, so they will shrink. However, when the Lupron therapy is stopped, the disease and symptoms often come back because once again, the implants are still there. The surgery that your doctor is suggesting is not a "complete hysterectomy" alone. That term means removal of the whole uterus, including the cervix. The surgery you are scheduled for is actually called a complete hysterectomy with bilateral salping-oophorectomy. It will throw your body into instant, surgically-induced, menopause. All without the guarantee that your endo symptoms will be relieved if the endo isn't properly and totally excised. Endo specialists who use excision surgery remove the total implant. They are also really good at recognizing endo in ALL it's shapes, sizes and colors, so the chance that they'll miss something is greatly reduced. Best of all, their recurrence rates are much lower than with surgeons who use other methods of "dealing" with the endo implants, and preserving fertility and reproductive organs is one their highest priorities. There can be serious long-term consequences to oophorectomy before menopause, so if your ovaries can possibly be preserved, it's to your advantage to do so. The estrogen your ovaries produce has little effect on endo if it's no longer there, and they work even long after menopause to keep your bones and other systems healthy. If you will post your location in the US, other posters will reply with the name of a trusted endo specialist who practices excision in your region. Many of us have had to travel for treatment with these wonderful doctors, but nearly everyone agrees that it was totally worth it. I wish you the best in dealing with this difficult disease.
At Mon, 25 May 2009, anonymous wrote:
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