I spent two hours and ten minutes at the gynecologist’s office yesterday. Most of that time was spent alone, half-naked in an examining room, with nothing to read but quit-smoking pamphlets and osteoporosis posters. I entertained myself by making deals with myself like “If nobody comes back into this room by 1:15, I swear I’m going to push the Code Blue button.” They came back at 1:10. Lucky for them.
Anyway. They’re suggesting I have my uterus and ovaries removed. The uterus because of the fibroid, and the ovaries because when you have breast cancer, it’s not such a good idea to have ovaries and no uterus. (That’s because the ongoing hormone treatment for breast cancer changes once you go through menopause, and if you have ovaries but no uterus, they’ll have no way of knowing when you’ve gone through menopause.)
After doing some research, I’m inclined to think I’m not going to do it. I’m ready to let my uterus go, but not my ovaries. Because of the breast cancer, I wouldn’t be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy, so I think having my ovaries removed would mean an instant end to hormones. I like hormones. Among other things, they protect against heart disease, osteoporosis and wrinkles.
Anyway. Did you hear about the guy who got busted for possessing Simpson’s porn? He’s a registered sex offender now, because Australia considers underage cartoon characters being depicted in sexual situations to be child pornography. Australia has also banned small-breasted women of any age from appearing in adult films, presumably on the grounds that it might arouse pedophiles. The world just keeps getting weirder.
Have they banned small breasted women from engaging in sexual acts too?
You don’t need to have your uterus removed for a fibroid. When I was diagnosed with a large fibroid inside my uterus 5 years ago, the surgeon removed the fibroid vaginally. It’s still surgery, but it’s not as traumatic to your body as having the uterus removed. The added bonus is it leaves no scars. Even though I was past normal child-bearing age (I was 47 at the time), the female surgeon was of the opinion that a woman should keep her female reproductive organs where possible. I would get a second opinion if I were you; I find a lot of doctors are a bit over eager to perform hysterectomies at the first sign of trouble, where a less drastic approach might suffice.
I have a fibroid they reckon it’s too small to do anything about… but there was a clinical trial being done at the Women’s Health Centre where they were using radio ablation to remove the tumours. (Basically zapping them with sound.) Dr. Singh if I’m not mistaken.
(I too was under the impression that hysterectomies weren’t necessary for fibroids.)
Oh — and well. Mr. looks at naked picture of the Lisa Simpson look creepy.
Wishing you the best in your decision making.
And shoot, there goes my film career in Australia. I have to buy my bras in the petites section. sigh.
I’d definitely keep the ovaries! And Manon’s got a good point, get a second opinion….
The whole thing about small breasted women in Australian actually makes me pretty mad. I think women’s bodies should be celebrated (yes, even in porn!) in whatever form they come in. And while I recognize the (odd) reasoning behind the law, I think that as long as the women appearing in the films are of legal age, then that’s just too damn bad that someone might THINK (pretend, fantasize, etc.) that they aren’t. And let’s face it, it’s not like once you turn 18 your breasts just suddenly balloon out of your chest… I think Australian lawmakers need to go back to sex ed.
Heh, in Australian porn. Obvs.
Get a second opinion, believe no one, and research, research, research. I chose a hysterectomy when I had cervical cancer, but they offered, and fairly lightly I might add, to take my ovaries, too. Our internal organs are treated as disposable, but the fact is that removal of the ovaries is female castration, and it your physical, psychological, and sexual course is altered forever. What they also might not mention is that removal of the uterus puts you at greater risk of heart disease among other things.
Hoo boy, did I just get preachy? My bad.
Best of luck.
Hmm, hmmm, and hmmmm. I still have my girl parts, but I did have an endometrial ablation which caused me to stop having periods. When asked, I say I’m post-menopausal, but how would I know for sure? After I had my appendix removed, the surgeon wanted my gall bladder, too, but I still have that. My rule of thumb is, surgery is the last resort.
I’m sorry you have to face this decision. Yet another decision.
I’m sure it is getting exhausting to constantly have to research these things, but in the case of your ovaries, it is probably best to get your hands on all the most recent research you can. The most recent research I’ve seen suggests that hysterectomies are needlessly performed in many cases. So, I send you some virtual strength and energy for that!
It does sound very radical to have a uterus removed for fibroids, but I suppose it depends on your particular situation. A handful of friends have had their fibroids removed through zapping (as Nat mentions) or surgery (as Manon mentions), but one of my friends had to have her uterus removed.
And that Australia thing is really weird.
I can only add my thoughts about it. 28 years ago, my mother had her uterus and ovaries removed due to fibroids and she feels well now. She is 83 btw. It is very hard decision to make and 30 years ago doctors made this decisions for my mom.I am not sute was it good or bad, but she is alive now.
The surgeon’s motto is “if in doubt, cut it out”.
My sister had a hysterectomy at age 35 and has suffered bone loss ever since, and they didn’t even take her ovaries. I think my ovaries are starting to rebound a little after the chemo and I feel better and am not as achy as I was this summer. So if they can just get rid of the fibroid (laser works too), I would go that route. I agree with your commenters above.
Sorry you’re having to make more decisions like this. They do seem pretty eager to keep cutting things out. I’d want to do more research before I let them. Best wishes for whatever decision you make.
As for the film thing, I hadn’t heard, but I’m afraid I’m not surprised. Last I checked, most Australians are not this conservative and precious. I suspect that the ACB are under a lot of pressure from our increasingly right wing, conservative, and overtly religious politicians, in both major parties.
BTW, Congratulations to your country for your recent defense of democracy too. It was awesome.
There are MANY alternatives to address fibroids rather than yanking out a uterus which is no walk in the park surgery, btw.
I had a very successful uterine artery embolization done. It’s a procedure that’s been around for a lot of years but only in the last 7 years or so has it been used to address fibroids, at least here in the states. Using a slightly glow in the dark dye, the surgeon is looking at your blood vessels real-time as she goes in via the femoral artery and blocks the uterine arteries (with a inert polymer) that supply blood to the fibroid(s). It requires a day or two in hospital with a morphine drip (the body fights the blockage, with resulting pain). After the pain abates (they take you off the drip and wait to be sure the pain is manageable with prescription drugs) you go home with just about no side effects. At least for me. If this hasn’t been offered to you, ask around. It’s the least invasive solution I could find 7 yrs ago. And all is well to this day. Good luck what ever you choose to do!
Thanks very much to all of you for sharing your experiences and thoughts on this. I’m not sure what course of action I’ll pursue, but I’ve ruled out hysterectomy and ovary removal, at least for now.
Australia is just weird Susan. NIce and warm and heaps of fun but.
10,0000,0000,00 flies can’t be wrong.