Guest guest Posted April 12, 2003 Report Share Posted April 12, 2003 Hello Everyone. I just joined your group. My name is Heleen and I am 48 years old. I have several fibroids and one is the size of a baseball. I go to a physician's assistant. She's very thorough and started me on HRT to try and shrink the fibroid. Well, it hasn't shrunk. Also, I have been having very heavy periods that have been lasting, on average 13 days. (Did I mention I am anemic?) She had previously mentioned removing my otherwise healthy ovaries if I go for the hysterectomy because, then I wouldn't have to worry about ever getting ovarian cancer. Is Ovarian cancer on the rise? On one hand that sounds comforting, but on the other hand I feel uncomfortable removing 2 perfectly healthy ovaries because I *might* get cancer. There seems to be compelling arguments for both sides. She is sending me to see the surgeon on the 21st. I am trying to wade through a mound of information to arrive at the appointment armed with knowledge, but I am feeling overwhelmed. As I say, there seem to be compelling arguments for and against having a hysterectomy and having your ovaries out or not. I’ve been reading posts, but, as I say I am feeling overwhelmed. I would be most interested in hearing what the list members have to say on the subject. Many thanks. Heleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2003 Report Share Posted April 12, 2003 apologies for the harshness of the tone, but your doctor sounds like an idiot. Fibroids grow in the presence of estrogen and shrink during menopause. Numerous stories abound of women whose fibroids grew when they were given birth control pills (more hormones!) to control unruly periods. Furthermore, telling you that you need to remove your ovaries even if they are healthy just to avoid a cancer risk is VOODOO. This is the story that many gyns just seem to trot right out, as if your reproductive organs are a center of mire and disease instead of body parts that you are better off (perhaps) keeping. Once your ovaries are gone, you have to take HRT unless you are going to enjoy your early menopause. HRT has its place but also has risks, so actually you are not improving your health or your chances by taking out healthy parts! Note, this is the same song-and-dance I got from my (former) gyno, and this is the experience of so very many women. Do not take the word of either her or a surgeon whose only experience may be in hysterectomies and not in looking for alternatives. btw, I am 49, and have several fibroids, one of which is large enough to be causing me difficulties. I am having a UAE in May because this seems to be the best option. If the UAE proves ineffective I will still have choices. best of luck, Heleen. You have come to the right place for information. bfn laurie g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2003 Report Share Posted April 12, 2003 apologies for the harshness of the tone, but your doctor sounds like an idiot. Fibroids grow in the presence of estrogen and shrink during menopause. Numerous stories abound of women whose fibroids grew when they were given birth control pills (more hormones!) to control unruly periods. Furthermore, telling you that you need to remove your ovaries even if they are healthy just to avoid a cancer risk is VOODOO. This is the story that many gyns just seem to trot right out, as if your reproductive organs are a center of mire and disease instead of body parts that you are better off (perhaps) keeping. Once your ovaries are gone, you have to take HRT unless you are going to enjoy your early menopause. HRT has its place but also has risks, so actually you are not improving your health or your chances by taking out healthy parts! Note, this is the same song-and-dance I got from my (former) gyno, and this is the experience of so very many women. Do not take the word of either her or a surgeon whose only experience may be in hysterectomies and not in looking for alternatives. btw, I am 49, and have several fibroids, one of which is large enough to be causing me difficulties. I am having a UAE in May because this seems to be the best option. If the UAE proves ineffective I will still have choices. best of luck, Heleen. You have come to the right place for information. bfn laurie g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2003 Report Share Posted April 12, 2003 apologies for the harshness of the tone, but your doctor sounds like an idiot. Fibroids grow in the presence of estrogen and shrink during menopause. Numerous stories abound of women whose fibroids grew when they were given birth control pills (more hormones!) to control unruly periods. Furthermore, telling you that you need to remove your ovaries even if they are healthy just to avoid a cancer risk is VOODOO. This is the story that many gyns just seem to trot right out, as if your reproductive organs are a center of mire and disease instead of body parts that you are better off (perhaps) keeping. Once your ovaries are gone, you have to take HRT unless you are going to enjoy your early menopause. HRT has its place but also has risks, so actually you are not improving your health or your chances by taking out healthy parts! Note, this is the same song-and-dance I got from my (former) gyno, and this is the experience of so very many women. Do not take the word of either her or a surgeon whose only experience may be in hysterectomies and not in looking for alternatives. btw, I am 49, and have several fibroids, one of which is large enough to be causing me difficulties. I am having a UAE in May because this seems to be the best option. If the UAE proves ineffective I will still have choices. best of luck, Heleen. You have come to the right place for information. bfn laurie g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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