Re: sexual dysfunctionafter hysterectomy
From: Angela (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 12 Oct 1998 21:31:08 -0500 (CDT)
Dr. Barentsen and Barbara,
I do apologize for using the doctors name specifically and was not
attempting to discredit his credentials as a physician. The message
from Elizabeth asked for help physically not mentally (she knows her
body better than anyone). The reply to her message came across very
cold and short. I realize the physicians time is limited and they are
doing the forum because they care, but some of the messages come across
a little cold to me.
I'm Very happy you and so many others have had wonderful outcomes and
pray every woman in the future does also. Myself, was not a lucky one.
I had TAB/BSO almost 2 years ago and have suffered every day since. I
have unbearable pain for since surgery in the lower left abdomen,groin
to thigh down to knee. My genitals have been numb since the surgery
except for a constant itchy/crawling sensation on the left labia at hair
line. Withing 3 months of surgery my breasts which have been numb to
touch had reduced in size by a whole cup without losing weight, hair
growth on legs had all but stopped. At 6 months post hyst. I had
bleeding for a week when finally went to the Doctor, had a large labial
abscess which was drained and packed without numbing area. I have never
had one in my 42 years but was told they are very painful. If it hadn't
been for bleeding I wouldn't have known I had it. 10 months, my
hemoglobin has finally gotten to 12 after iron everyday and adding
estratest to the estradiol, laprascope done to find cause of pain DX.
Severe dense adhesions from left thru midline to right through bowl. Dr.
was able to free my bladder enough so could expand without added pain
when full, but he said could only get the rest with labarotomy incision.
That is not an option for me.
The hormones have been a nightmare. After 2 years an EMG/NCS was just
done and found L4 radicolopathy with severe denervation, sacro lumbar
mri showed no abnormalities is spine, femoral damage, and she clinically
thinks the genitofemoral has stretching injury or entrapment. If any of
the doctors has some suggestions would welcome them. I would like to
point out that ovary removal is referred to as castration same as
testicle removal is castration. I may have been unclear in my statment,
I apologize. I also was not telling Elizabeth she should not have had
treatment. I only want women to be aware of the risks so they can make
a truely informed decision. Hopefully my hysterectomy outcome is not
the norm, but it can and does happen.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak and I do apologize if I insulted
anyone as that was not my intent. Angela
At Mon, 12 Oct 1998, Barbara wrote:
>
>At Sun, 11 Oct 1998, Angela wrote:
>>
>>Elizabeth the message Dr.Barentsen wrote to you is >criminal.
>
>Angela your post to the forum is out of line and further posts attacking
>a physician on OBGYN.net by name will not be tolerated.
>
>I personally know Dr. Berensten and I take affront to your message. He
>is a world leader in Menopause. I am inclosing his CV for you to check
>out.
>
>http://www.obgyn.net/corresp/barentsen.htm
>
>I also had a total hysterectomy 12 years ago and I am Fine! No sexual
>dysfunction Ever! Not all women feel as you do, that they have been
>Castrated! Good God is this really how some women think? That we are the
>same as castrated men? I don't and won't think this way.
>
>Elizabeth had little or no choice in treatment options and she is
>seeking help for a condition that she is sufferering from not writing to
>be told she should Never Have Had the treatment.
>
>You of course have a right to you opinion as well as I have a right to
>mine.
>
>But, the Big But is don't ever attack or accuse a medical professional
>on this forum as it is not tolerated.
>
>Barbara
>
>>Everywhere you read about this subject and talk to women who have been
>>hysterectomized and/or castrated this is a problem for most from mild to
>>catastrophic. As women we depend on doctors for help and guidance
>>concerning our GYN health. I have seen some American Journal OB/GYN
>>articles concerning sexual dysfunction after hysterectomy and have been
>>living it for the last two years myself. I wanted answers myself, and
>>to be fair to Dr. Barentsen the three doctors I have seen say the same
>>thing.
>>
>>I could not understand why I was having the particular problems, and
>>there were many I had from day one. The GYN articles answered many
>>questions concerning lack of orgasam, lack of libido, and enjoyment when
>>we had it so good before the surgery. The doctors can explain the
>>technical reasons certainly better than I, and I hope they will, because
>>removal of our reproductive organs produces the same result in us as
>>castration in men produces for them. Elizabeth, we can't get back what
>>we lost physically, but don't give up, speak out and search for your own
>>answers. Doctors, I apologize for sounding so anti-doctor, because I am
>>not. But as women become more aware of their bodies and outspoken about
>>what these surgeries are doing to us, hopefully we can help you
>>understand better the complaints are valid and that in turn will produce
>>changes for the better for us and the physicians. Angela eAt Wed, 11
>>Mar 1998, Ronald Barentsen, MD wrote:
>>>
>>>At Wed, 11 Mar 1998, Elizabeth wrote:
>>>>
>>>>In 1994 I was treated for cervical cancer with a hysterectomy (ovaries
>>>>left intact), chemo & radiation. Since then, I have no sexual desire at
>>>s>all. I also have lost the ability to acheive orgasm. I have been
>>>>taking Estratest for about 8 months without success. Is there anything
>>>>else I can try to help me with this problem? My Dr. is talking about
>>>>using Evista but I read nothing about libido in the product info. Before
>>>>this happened my husband & I enjoyed a healthy sex life. I definitely
>>>>feel a difference (or should I say a lack thereof) so please don't say
>>>>this is in my mind like my last gyn said. He wouldn't even consider the
>>>>possibility that I had a valid problem here. Thanks for any help or
>>>>suggestions you can give me.
>>>
>>>Maybe it is not the hormonal dysbalance but a psychological reaction on
>>>the disease and the treatment. Evista will bring no solution. Estratest
>>>is a good treatmetn in case of ovarian failure. And with your treatment
>>>an ovarian failure is likely.
>>>Maybe you can consult a psychologist or better a sexuologist
>>>
>>>--
>>>Ronald Barentsen
>>>Correspondent OBGYN.net for menopause and hormone replacement therapy
>>>
>--
>Barbara Nesbitt
>Editor, OBGYN.net
>
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