Hysterectomy

[centrico]

The Mother in Law had one and now my wife is talking about a Hysterectomy. I have googled this but am left confused so am looking for some input.

My own information is vague because I am being given confusing information. Different hospitals seem to be giving conflicting information too. Or conflicting as I understand it. Because I am not sure what is relevant I'll post what I know.

As it stands I was told the 35 year old wife would not be able to have any more babies as this would be dangerous and any future pregnancy would likely be ectopic (?). If she got pregnant she would need a termination due to her current condition. A different doctor told her she can have children.

Next I am told that she will need a hysterectomy in the next few years.

She has been in and out of several hospitals in the last 9 months or so with pains in her lower abdomen area and she has been spotting a lot especially when under stress from certain family problems. There are hot flushes and other symptoms too. She currently has the contraceptive injection which lasts 3 months a time.

This last time in hospital she had another internal and an ultrasound. She has been told she has "seeds" [her description] growing inside her. I would presume these are fibroids?

The latest doctor has said she can have an operation to remove one of two [tubes? Maybe fallopian, but she cannot tell me for sure, so I do not know if she has 2 other parts of which one can be removed]. You can see why this is confusing. If she has one removed this latest doctor has told her she can take hormones and still have fluid lubrication for love making apparently. [if that helps for information].

The wife previously informed me that the doctors are reluctant to perform a hysterectomy itself now as she has a relatively active sex life.

So many doctors and the information is never the same. Now I am uncertain what to think. If the doctors actually agreed with each other that would be a helpful guide for a start.

If she does have growths growing within her and the removal of one of these [2 tubes ?] will cure her. Is there not some other treatment available? Laser or whatever? Will she still be under threat of a hysterectomy later? I am stuck for what to do for best as her health comes first.

Not wanting to sound mercenary here. She currently has medical insurance cover but this will expire in a couple of months and I would rather she had an operation done under that cover.

Sorry if this sounds vague but I am going by what I am told and told different each time. As I said earlier, if the doctors agreed on the diagnosis then there would be no problem except what is best for her.

[jackoneilone]

I can see how confused you are and how frustrating the situation can be.

However you have not given much info and unfortunately perhaps cant because from your post it comes across that you were not available at the consults with your wife. Or the doctor didnt talk to you.

Which hospitals, doctors and specialities has she been seen by?

What tests and panels have been done and the results?

What screenings have been done apart from ultrasound and results?

What type of fibroids are they and the location because they can be removed by an experienced surgeon at a hysteroscopy? Has she had a hysteroscopy? And have they ruled out occulusions in her fallopian tubes if infact they are the issue? the tubes either way can be recanalized.

Hysterotomy is very aggressive and though technically much easier and widely used, they are not needed in a lot of cases but the doctor may choose it since its easy and they are being lazy or not exeprienced/trained to perform the longer more difficult and delicate microsurgeries necessary otherwise.

[FBN]

Excellent advice from Jake above.

Bottom line of what has been said is: Get her to a major hospital and have her consult a reputable Gyne. She still has insurance so make the most of it.

Hysterectomy is a very significant surgical procedure and has its own complications both short and long term and must have appropriate medical indications. Do you still want kids?

Hysterectomy will not necessarily affect her sex life; given the current circumstances, may even improve the situation for her.

[harveyBKK]

don't do it. exhaust all possible options first. though controversial, we have seen fantastic results in reversing fibroid tumors in peri-and menopausal women. she needs to get off the contraception injection, a that's probably part of the problem, her age is the other part. though i'm not a medical professional (i just work for them and represent them), I would highly suggest you find a good physician who has experience hormone replacement therapy. specifically, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. I cannot and will not endorse my company or others on this website, but there are many good resources through a quick web search on the topic.

*not a Dr.*

[Sheryl]

It is not even certain to me that what she has is fibroids. The description is too vague, and could also refer to endometriosis. In fact some of what was said sounds morel like endometriosis than like fibroids, but impossible to be sure.

Before we can even begin to talk about treatment options, need to be clear what the diagnosis is.

I suggest you either (1) Go with her to consult a Gyn who speaks good English

or

(2) get copies of her medical records and post here what they say. In particular the part near the bottom of each doctor's note/scan report that says "Impression:...." (maybe abbreviated: Imp: ) or "conclusion:...."

You will will probably still need to consult someone but with that information I can have a better idea whom to suggest you see.

Also need to know:

(1) Do you and she want more children?

(2) For how long has she been using the injectable contraceptive and how does that relate to the hot flushes and spotting? I.e. did those start after she started using the injection, is it worse right after each injection etc

(3) List any other medications she may be on

(4) Where do you live?

[centrico]

Thanks for that Jackonline and Sheryl. I will try to get the information soon and post it.

No, I was not present. I'll be in touch when I can get more information. apologies for being confused over this but thanks to posting here and the replies, I now have a better idea what to ask and to look for.