WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for June, 1998: Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?

Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Thu, 11 Jun 1998 21:55:34 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Karen: "I Agree Wholeheartedly With Dr. Hill"
Previous message: Yvett: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
In reply to: Jane: "Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
Next in thread: beth: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
Reply: beth: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"

At Thu, 11 Jun 1998, Jane wrote:

I'd REALLY like to know if there are any problems >that men face - especially relating to reproductive
>organs that place men in equally distressing roles.

When I read your question I immediately thought of two differing thoughts about this issue. First, although men can have serious (and painful) prostrate problems, they do not have as many "pelvic" problems as women. For reasons we do not understand, the female pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, tubes, ovaries, and sometimes rectum), respond to certain stimuli by producing severe inflammation and scar tissue. This leads to pain. Plus, although men can very rarely get endometriosis (in most cases this is related to estrogen injections for men wishing to change genders), this disease is a "woman's disease." Men cannot get abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, ovarian cysts, ovarian or uterine cancer, abnormal Pap smears, painful periods, or vaginal infections. Finally, although men can get sexually transmitted infections, we do not usually have the same complications from them (infertility and pain).

The second issue your question brought to mind is the tremendous abuse many gynecologists receive from both the media and "women's groups" regarding the hysterectomy and overall surgery rate for women's illnesses. Yet, as you state, women *do* have more pelvic problems than men, and many of these require surgical intervention. I get tired of hearing how gynecologists operate too often on women who have pain, heavy bleeding, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. To suggest that pelvic diseases are not "serious" enough to warrant serious treatment kind of invalidates the difficulty many women have with gynecologic problems. Nonsurgical intervention should be tried whenever possible, but unfortunately sometimes surgery is necessary. The media should not say that on the one hand women have too many gynecologic problems, yet on the other hand say that doctors are treating them too aggressively!

So, women unfortunately do have many more problems with their pelvic organs. It's up to women and their doctors to make every effort to treat these problems by the best methods available, whether this is nonsurgical, or surgical.

Thanks for the intriguing question.

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, Florida

The above information is provided for medical education only, and is not intended as specific medical advice. I am sorry, but due to time constraints, I am unable to answer personal e-mail.

Next message: Karen: "I Agree Wholeheartedly With Dr. Hill"
Previous message: Yvett: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
In reply to: Jane: "Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
Next in thread: beth: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"
Reply: beth: "Re: Do males have a pain equivalent to female repro problems?"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: