Hello, I am 55 and was told about 7 yrs ago that i have uterine fibroids. I have heavy periods which have worsen in the last 2 years or so. I have had a couple of "flare ups"; the first time a couple years ago I had severe continuous pelvic pain for about 3 days and heavy bleeding for 10! My gyno did an endometrial biopsy with negative results. She told me that if i contine to have these problems I may have to have a hysterectomy but she adopted a wait and see approach. I'm still having a pretty regular periods (every month except a 1-month skip here and there in recent months). My annual check in April showed that the largest fibroid has grown and my uterus was 4.2cm larger than it was in 2003. Another biopsy was done with negative results. As fate would have it I has a "flare up" a couple of weeks ago which took me to the ER.
Now I'm being told by my gyno it's time for a hysterectomy and she suggests removing the ovaries! I do not want to have major surgery...I've been reading about side effects and it's scary. Anyone like me out there? Help!
My mother had her fybroids removed and her doctor left her uterus intact. Dr. Hufnagel I think is her name, out in California. She wrote a book called, "No More Hysterectomies". It might prove helpful. Good luck.
There are natural healing methods to address uterine fibroids - folic acid and other nutrients is one thing that helps, also energy medicine/energy healing therapies and emotional clearing practices... research alternative approaches and see what seems sensible and comfortable for you, then let your doctor know what you wish to do and don't be scared to disagree with your doctor - doctors generally have limited knowledge and a narrow range of training that prepares them for the approaches they offer but doesn't inform them of other approaches.
I had a myomectomy in November. My OBGYN suggested a hysterectomy leaving my ovaries. I asked my OBGYN if there were any other options besides cutting me open & I asked her if she did laproscopic & she said all she has ever done is the bikini cut. She said she didn't do laparoscopic because the training was to extensive & she didn't have the time. I opted for a 2nd opinion & am sooo happy I did ( my OBGYN gave me the referral, lol). This OBGYN was incredible, he sat with my husband & I for 1 1/2 hours. He reviewed everything with us & gave us our options & gave us his opinion & explained why (everything was in great detail too). He was skilled in laproscopic (Davinci Robot) which is what I was interested in. I ended up taking his advice of doing the myomectomy instead of hysterectomy & he did the Davinci & I am very pleased. The recovery was incredible. I had an 11 cm fibroid & four smaller 5 cm ones, needless to say I looked very pregnant in fact my family thought I was & would tell me to confess.
Due to your age I would suggest you do some research about the myomectomy via laprascopic surgery. Fibroids tend to stop growing when a woman approaches menopause. The recovery was great. It's 6 weeks because it's major abdominal surgery but it's a much easier recovery with the Davinci vs bikini cut. In fact the Dr repeatedly told me that I will feel like I can go back to my routine within the 2nd week but don't be fooled you can do damage. My surgery took 4 1/2 hours & I stayed one night in the hospital.
My surgeon also said that with the Davinci surgery he can do surgeries from the hospital he works at & the patient can be at a hospital in another state or even country.
A website you can get great info from is hystersisters.com its actually a forum similar to mamapedia but it's all about womans health.
Hope my story helps. Best wishes
I am quite weary of OB/GYN so feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt.
I have come across several studies that have found that there are WAY too many hysterectomies performed in the US, at a high cost to patient's health and pocketbook (time of recovery, loss of income, complications and long term side effects) and to great benefit of the surgeon's pocketbook.
There are many other methods that can be used in an attempt to control excess bleeding and discomfort with uterine fibroids:
- surgical alternatives that are less invasive include myomectomy, endometrial ablation and uterine artery embolization. These are less invasive than a complete hysterectomy and with you nearing menopause, your symptoms are less likely to reoccur as you will stop menstruating soon.
- drug therapy (hormones)
You should most definitely get a second opinion and personally I would go for an Ob/GYN who is know to practice a conservative approach towards hysterectomies and isn't shy (or greedy) to refer you to another specialist who can perform a procedure that he cannot (for example uterine artery embolization is performed by a radiologist, NOT a OB/GYN).
Good luck!
You're telling my story! I had many uterine fibroids, and was so very tired of heavy periods and pain! I had a hysterectomy (kept my ovaries though) at 42. I'm 47 now. It was one of THE best things I ever did for myself. My doctor also was a wait-and-see kinda guy. But I talked him into it. If the parts don't work AND cause pain and excessive bleeding, why keep them? Why put yourself through that every month? Yes it's major surgery, but it was about a six-week bother for me and years later I'm so glad I did it. Sometimes a uterus can be removed vaginally, but with fibroids that wasn't possible for me. I would definitely keep my ovaries if I were you. Maybe get a second opinion, but do consider the hysterectomy. I have never regretted it!
Wellllll, S.,
I think the 1st question I would ask is, WHY do you want to remove my ovaries if they are not infected in any way.
I had a hysterectomy at age 36, I still have my ovaries and even have a small 'growth' on my right ovary that is now the size of a 50cent piece and the Docs are not concerned about it. I have been going through menopause for about 5 yrs now (I am 57) and have all the 'normal' problems but nothing earth shattering.
My younger sister had a complete hysterectomy @ age 36 and has been on some type or another of hormone treatment since, it has been a roller coaster ride for her and her 'mood swings', my Mom had a complete @ age 32 and it was also no fun, hormonely (is that a word????).
So, I say ask the question, if you don't get an answer that you feel good about go get another opinion. Docs are people too, and we all have our ideas about what is right or wrong for others though they may not agree!
Best!
A.
Though your results keep coming back negative, heavy bleeding and pelvic pain are no walk in the park. The surgery your gyno recommends the way to correct both. Besides the side effects are what you'd be facing with menopause anyway. Find out all you can, discuss it with your gyno so you make an informed decision. God bless and good luck
Always get a second opinion before surgery.
That said, my mother had a hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids sometime in her early 50s. (Maybe late forties). Her largest one was the size of a basketball. It did throw her into early menopause, but she was so much more comfortable! And, as an upside, she looks so much better - she had basically looked pregnant for 10 years. Not that's a reason to have a hysterectomy, but my feeling is that there's something that big that's causing you major pain, having it removed is a reasonable thing to do. Good luck.
Do some doctor shopping and research on the internet. I too have had a fibroid issue since 2001. If you truly need a hysterectomy (most of the time you don't) they have a new way of doing them that cuts the recovery time drasticly. If the fibroids are uterine, they can leave the falopian tubes. The newer type of surgery is laser and involves two small incisions on the abdomen. Most women are up and around again in a couple of days, no heavy lifting for two weeks, etc... vs the old way of being down for at least six weeks. A friend of mine had the newer type on a Friday and was back to work on Monday! She said she was sore, but no worse than a bad period and by the end of the week most of the soreness was gone. Don't be afraid to try diet changes and removing all hormones (that was what worked for me, reduced the "flair ups" to tolerable, kept the fibroids small) along with some exercises. Fibroids are very common among women over 40 and approaching menopause. I am almost through menopause now and the fibroid issue is pretty much non existant. Feel free to email me if you want to chat more.
S.,
I am not like you but my Mom was. She had an ovario-hysterectomy 20 yrs ago at the age of 38. (the age I had my daughter). She was much improved afterwards. They have newer techniques- my sister had a vaginal hysterectomy (age 23). Depending on the size of the growth & uterus will dictate whether or not the surgery can be performed that way.
I would also say that they will probably want you to go on hormone replacements afterwards, if they take your ovaries. My Mom was on permarin & it mentally wigged her out. If she took it at night she had nightmares, if she took it during the day, she would talk about all sorts of weird stuff. At the time I was in college & the Gulf war started- she was afraid I was going to drop out of school & join the military. (have no idea where she got the idea- but for me it was NOT an option, the thought never occured to me to do such a thing). She eventually stopped taking them.
Can there complications- yes. But with the continued bleeding- which was the issue with my mom- you can become anemic & get to the point where you will need a blood transfusion.
By all means get a second opinion, go on Web MD, & see what options are out there. I don't see why they would want to take your ovaries unless 1. they just don't want to ever have to go back in again, or 2. they suspect there will be problems in if the don't take them out now.
S.,
My friend , who is 41, just experienced something similar to what you describe. Her doctor, instead of removing everything, burned the lining of her uterus. This is supposed to stop most, if not all, of the bleeding but by keeping the ovaries in tact, she won't have to worry about the hormone problems. (And that can be a nightmare!) So, unless you have problems with your ovaries, I would NOT let your doctor remove them.
Hope this helps.
L.
Do yourself a big favor and get the hysterectomy ASAP. I put mine off for years (age 35 to 42), even when my doctor was telling me it was coming. By the time I decided I was going to bleed to death, it was too late for the small surgery and had to be done the old way, but it was like night and day. I had my life back! I did keep my ovaries, which keeps down some of the hormonal adjustments after the surgery. At at 48, I started on estrogen and took it for about a dozen years. Now, at 66, I am fine - still mow my yard with a little gas-powered push mower and do all my own weeding, trimming, etc. Be sure to take it easy after your surgery for the full 3-6 wks. that you are told to, and you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck.
I would get a second opinion from someone not in her practice before making a major decision.
Back when I had my hysterectomy they cut you open to do it. Now they go in through the vigana and do it. My sister in law just had a hysterectomy and said that within three days she felt good enough to go and do everything even though the doctor told her not to. She said her foot surgery was worse then the hysterectomy. It is no longer as big a deal as it used to be. You don't have to deal with the staples and the big cut. I would have it done as soon as possible. Your doctor is right.
I have a friend about your age who had to have a hysterectomy, and has done just fine. Better than before the surgery. Her bleeding became so heavy that there was danger of her passing out while alone or driving – the side effects of leaving it alone were much worse than getting the surgery.
It never hurts to get a second opinion – not every doctor would choose the same approach to handle a problem. Good luck to you.
