Re: do I need a hysterectomy?
From: JCH (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 25 May 1998 15:17:09 -0700
I am not a doctor, but I can tel you from my o
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> From: Ruth <boysfour@passport.ca>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <womens-health@talk.obgyn.net>
> Subject: do I need a hysterectomy?
> Date: Monday, May 25, 1998 10:34 AM
>
> I'll try to make this brief. I have seen 2 ob.gyns for a problem I'm
> having. Severe pms, very long and irregular periods, headaches with my
> periods, depression,severe constipation right before a period. I was
> told by dr. #1 I have fibroids, to try low dose birth contol pills for
> the periods. Nothing about the other stuff, of which the constipation
> is the worst. Dr. #2 said hysterectomy, take both uterus and ovaries,
> it's the hormonal stuff that's causing all the problems, we'll put you
> on hormone replacement, and everything will be fine.This doesn't sound
> right to me. Do I just grin and bear it, I'm 44, a few more years and I
> guess it'll all be over with? Do I try the pill, or hormones, or what?
> Do I need a hysterecomy? I've had 4 c-sections, and the thought of
> another surgery doesn't fill me with joy. Do I try yet another dr.?
Dear Ruth
I am not a doctor, but I can tell you from my own experience that a
hysterectomy is going to cause you more problems then you are having right
now. If someone has cancer or some other reason that they HAVE to have a
hysterectomy then there is no choice, but if the choice is there, I say
DON'T DO IT. I was forced to have one at 33 after delivering my second
child because my OB ignored an infection I had, and I can tell you that you
will still experience the depression, constipation, and headaches even if
you have a hysterectomy. You can also look forward to experiencing among
other things, body aches, hot flashes, mood swings, and the LOSS of your
SEX DRIVE . I realize NOT ALL women experience these same problems, for
some a hysterectomy is a blessing, but for the most part it seems to make
things worse then better. My advice to you is, DON'T DO IT, if anything,
have them remove ONLY your uterus (which is where the fibroids are anyway),
but MAKE them leave your ovaries. DON'T let them tell you that hormone
replacement is a cure all, it's not, I have been put on four different
types of hormones in the last two years, and believe me, it is not the same
as having your own NATURAL hormones. If you are interested in checking it
out, there is a support group for women who have had hysterectomies called
Sans Uteri at http://www.findings.net/sans-uteri-list.html maybe they can
give you some advice also. Good luck, and let me know what you decide.
JCH
>
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