Tag Archives: hysterectomy

Is That My Final Answer?

Yesterday, I talked about my conversation with the doctors at the teaching clinic about my not-so-mysterious-any-more growths. I’ve got two fibroids — one inside the uterus about the size of a mandarin orange and one in the uterine lining about the size of a football. Between the two, I’ve been pretty uncomfortable over the last year or so. My periods are irregular, my cramps are incredibly painful, my bladder always feels full, I have constipation problems, and more — all thanks to the football and the orange. In the last six weeks or so, the pain has really become a … Continue reading →

My Mystery, Solved!

Did you miss me? I missed you! But my computer’s breakdown came at a pretty opportune time, as it gave me a few days to focus on my health. Here’s the latest news. First, a quick recap: a pelvic exam suggested that I might have fibroids. My doctor ordered an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis, but the results weren’t quite clear. I was handed off to a teaching clinic for more testing. Or so I thought. The doctor walked into the exam room and greeted me with a cheery, “So, you’re here to talk about surgery?” After I picked my … Continue reading →

Alternatives to Hysterectomy

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Each year, approximately six hundred thousand women undergo surgery to remove the uterus — a hysterectomy. For many women with menstrual difficulties, hysterectomy seems like the best (or only) option. However, a study from UCLA found that nearly seventy percent of women could have been treated with non-surgical means — with equally positive results. In some cases — uterine cancer, for example — a hysterectomy is the best option. In other cases, you may want to investigate non-surgical alternatives. If you have heavy, painful periods but may want to become pregnant in the future, talk to your doctor about hormone … Continue reading →

Adenomyosis: My Story Part #3 Surgical Options Hysterectomy

It’s impossible to determine just exactly how I developed Adenomyosis. Many women apparently don’t have the symptoms that I had, when my normal cycle changed. Most often Adenomyosis isn’t diagnosed as easily as I was. My testing only required a Pelvic Ultrasound and an Endometrial Biopsy. Many times Adenomyosis requires MRI’s and often this problem isn’t diagnosed until after a hysterectomy. I did have two cesarean-section babies a little over one year apart in 1983 and 1984. Following the birth of my second child I developed Pelvic Inflammatory Disease which required intensive antibiotics to clear up. In 2000 my husband … Continue reading →