Re: hysterectomy

[Guest guest]

The NUFF Web site has some info about hysterectomy risks. It says, " In addition

to the direct surgical risks, there may be longer-term physical and

psychological effects, potentially including depression and loss of sexual

pleasure. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus prior to menopause,

there is an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease as well. "

http://nuff.org/health_treatments.htm

You may also want to check out Carla Dionne's Web page about hysterectomies,

which has links to resources for more information:

http://www.uterinefibroids.com/c_hyst.htm

Pat Boersma provided a list of books and reasons for avoiding a

hysterectomy:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/38858

Carla provided a list of research that concludes that the uterus is

important for more than just childbearing:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/13911

I chose to have a myomectomy because I'd like to have another baby. But even if

I didn't want to get pregnant again, I would not have chosen a hysterectomy. As

this article points out, the medical community does not have enough knowledge

about the impact of hysterectomies:

Sexless After Surgery?

Women, Doctors Say Hysterectomies May Be Detrimental to Sexual Health

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/Living/2020_Hysterectomy030822.html

I also suggest watching the 20/20 segment about hysterecomies that you can

access via the Manhattan Fibroid Associates' Web site:

http://www.repmed.com/

In the Media Center section of that page, click on the link to see Dr. West's

appearance on 20/20.

Many women in the UterineFibroids group have chosen not to have a hysterectomy.

If you'd like to chat with women who are considering or have had a

hysterectomy, you may want to participate in the Hystersisters.com message

boards:

http://www.hystersisters.com/

Cheryl

You wrote:

> I have been reading many comments by members related to not pursuing

> hysterectomy as an option.

[Guest guest]

The NUFF Web site has some info about hysterectomy risks. It says, " In addition

to the direct surgical risks, there may be longer-term physical and

psychological effects, potentially including depression and loss of sexual

pleasure. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus prior to menopause,

there is an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease as well. "

http://nuff.org/health_treatments.htm

You may also want to check out Carla Dionne's Web page about hysterectomies,

which has links to resources for more information:

http://www.uterinefibroids.com/c_hyst.htm

Pat Boersma provided a list of books and reasons for avoiding a

hysterectomy:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/38858

Carla provided a list of research that concludes that the uterus is

important for more than just childbearing:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/13911

I chose to have a myomectomy because I'd like to have another baby. But even if

I didn't want to get pregnant again, I would not have chosen a hysterectomy. As

this article points out, the medical community does not have enough knowledge

about the impact of hysterectomies:

Sexless After Surgery?

Women, Doctors Say Hysterectomies May Be Detrimental to Sexual Health

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/Living/2020_Hysterectomy030822.html

I also suggest watching the 20/20 segment about hysterecomies that you can

access via the Manhattan Fibroid Associates' Web site:

http://www.repmed.com/

In the Media Center section of that page, click on the link to see Dr. West's

appearance on 20/20.

Many women in the UterineFibroids group have chosen not to have a hysterectomy.

If you'd like to chat with women who are considering or have had a

hysterectomy, you may want to participate in the Hystersisters.com message

boards:

http://www.hystersisters.com/

Cheryl

You wrote:

> I have been reading many comments by members related to not pursuing

> hysterectomy as an option.

[Guest guest]

The NUFF Web site has some info about hysterectomy risks. It says, " In addition

to the direct surgical risks, there may be longer-term physical and

psychological effects, potentially including depression and loss of sexual

pleasure. If the ovaries are removed along with the uterus prior to menopause,

there is an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease as well. "

http://nuff.org/health_treatments.htm

You may also want to check out Carla Dionne's Web page about hysterectomies,

which has links to resources for more information:

http://www.uterinefibroids.com/c_hyst.htm

Pat Boersma provided a list of books and reasons for avoiding a

hysterectomy:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/38858

Carla provided a list of research that concludes that the uterus is

important for more than just childbearing:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/13911

I chose to have a myomectomy because I'd like to have another baby. But even if

I didn't want to get pregnant again, I would not have chosen a hysterectomy. As

this article points out, the medical community does not have enough knowledge

about the impact of hysterectomies:

Sexless After Surgery?

Women, Doctors Say Hysterectomies May Be Detrimental to Sexual Health

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/Living/2020_Hysterectomy030822.html

I also suggest watching the 20/20 segment about hysterecomies that you can

access via the Manhattan Fibroid Associates' Web site:

http://www.repmed.com/

In the Media Center section of that page, click on the link to see Dr. West's

appearance on 20/20.

Many women in the UterineFibroids group have chosen not to have a hysterectomy.

If you'd like to chat with women who are considering or have had a

hysterectomy, you may want to participate in the Hystersisters.com message

boards:

http://www.hystersisters.com/

Cheryl

You wrote:

> I have been reading many comments by members related to not pursuing

> hysterectomy as an option.

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

You are absolutely correct in that hysterectomy is the only cure for

fibroids. If you want a cure, that's the way to go. However,

hysterectomy is also like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. It

does get the job done though.

If you want to be prepared for your gyn visit, I suggest you

immediately proceed to the nearest book store (do not pass go and

collect $200.) and pick up some excellent books:

The Hysterectomy Hoax

Sex, Lies & the Truth About Uterine Fibroids

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibroids

Only you can decide which fibroid treatment is best for your

situation, however it's in your best interest to be as informed as

possible. Your doctor may not mention UFE or myomectomy because yes

UFE can fail and fibroids can grow back after myo, but then again a

lot of women report successful UFE's and a lot of women report

successful myo's. I have friends that have had hysterectomy and are

fine, but that's no guarantee that everyone will be fine, especially

with the long term risks of heart disease, prolapse, etc etc but

they are young enough not to have experienced that yet. I keep

waiting to hear about it though.

Before you do anything, be 100% certain. Hysterectomy is very final.

It can't be undone

Gerri

--- In uterinefibroids , " dacrn56 "

> started taking a multiple vitamin with Fe.

>

> I would appreciate thoughtful responses to my questions.

> Debbie

[Guest guest]

I ended up with a hysterectomy a year ago. The fibroid was too

embedded into the uterus to be able to remove. So a year after

removing the 5lb (18cm) fibroid/uterus and leaving in the ovaries, I

feel physcially better than I had in 5 years. Emotionally, dealing

with it has been another matter. Things are a bit different but with

the ovaries, I still get PMS, am not sexless, almost everything is

what it use to be before I developed the fibroid, almost.

I joined the Hystersisters.com for awhile but got tired of most of

them patting themselves on the back for getting a hysterectomy and

saying it was the best thing they ever did.

Time will tell if I will develop the other programs and diseases. My

biggest problem has been dealing with the emotional issue of it and

not having children.

Ruth

> People have spoken to " other problems " associated with

> hysterectomy....I would like to hear what those are especially if the

> ovaries are left intact.

[Guest guest]

I thought I'd put in a good word for libraries. I've been on a real library kick

lately because my 15-month-old daughter loves books and we can't keep up with

her. She can't even know many words yet, but that doesn't stop her from

" reading " aloud every book she can get her hands on--a gazillion times.

Especially if your library belongs to a network, there's a good chance that just

about any book that you want is at your disposal. My library belongs to the

Minuteman Network in Massachusetts. If a book isn't available at my local

library, it's usually available at one of the other 40 libraries in the

network. I can either go to the other libraries to pick it up or request that

it be sent to my library so I can get it there.

All three of the books that Gerri mentioned below are available through my

library'S network.

The library route is especially good for fibroid books because often different

authors bring a different emphasis to the subject, and the author's take on

fibroid options might or might not mesh with yours. Having said all that, some

fibroid books, such as Carla's, are definitely worth owning.

While we're on the subject of books, I'll put in a plug for some resources that

I've found helpful:

The Books/Audio Tape entry in this group's Database section includes a list of

some resources that other members have found helpful:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/database?

Also, see Catriona Bass' review of certain fibroid-related books:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/uterinefibroids/message/46441

Cheryl

Gerri jerzger@...> wrote:

> You are absolutely correct in that hysterectomy is the only cure for

> fibroids. If you want a cure, that's the way to go. However,

> hysterectomy is also like using a sledge hammer to kill a fly. It

> does get the job done though.

>

> If you want to be prepared for your gyn visit, I suggest you

> immediately proceed to the nearest book store (do not pass go and

> collect $200.) and pick up some excellent books:

>

> The Hysterectomy Hoax

> Sex, Lies & the Truth About Uterine Fibroids

> What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibroids

>