WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 1997: Re: complete hysterectomy

Re: complete hysterectomy

From: Susan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 24 Apr 1997 15:19:42 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: j.c.: "complete hysterectomy"

At Fri, 18 Apr 1997, j.c. wrote: >
>I am 37 facing a hysterectomy cause huge uterus and huge fibroid tumors.
>Ovaries at my age should they be
>left in tact. I have no family history. I need to make
>a decision before May 97. Possiblity of cancer as low as 1 percent
>stated by physcian any responses are appreciated.

As a woman who recently had a hysterectomy, I wanted to share some information with you. I also had fibroids, as well as endometriosis and cervix that was so fibrotic (hard) that doctors could not dilate it to perform any other procedures. I spent a lot of time doing research on the pros and cons of hysterectomy, as well as alternative treatments for my conditions.

What I found is that many women can have a procedure called myomectomy, which is a surgery where only the fibroids are removed. Depending on where the fibroids are and how large they are, this may be done with a hysteroscope (an instrument inserted into your uterus through your vagina), by laparoscopy (an instrument inserted into your abdomen through a small incision under your belly button), or through an abdominal incision like a c-section. This procedure is often difficult and can cause a lot of bleeding, so doctors tend to offer it only to those women wanting more children. A doctor's experience and skill at doing myomectomy can also determine whether or not s/he offers it to a patient.

There are also new drugs (GNRh agonists) which can shrink fibroids and help with anemia for those women who have had a lot of bleeding due to their fibroids. These drugs DO have serious side effects when used for more than a few months, and are never used longer than 6 months. But if you do not know what you want to do and want to buy yourself some time to decide, this may be a temporary solution for you.

If you do decide on hysterectomy as I did, talk to your doctor about ALL your questions. You should never get on an operating room table if you still have questions. Keeping your ovaries, if they are not diseased, is definately recommended by all the recent medical literature to retain your hormonal levels until your reach menopause. This will help keep the rest of your body healthy and strong!

Good luck, and e-mail me if you would like some references to read. I recommend the book "Hysterectomy: Before and After" by Winnefred B. Cutler regardless of what you decide (Harper- Collins/New York: 1988.)

--
Susan Boyles

Next message: Carol: "Re: State of Ohio Regulations for OB/GYN's"
Previous message: Susan: "Hip looseness after hysterectomy"
In reply to: j.c.: "complete hysterectomy"

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