Female Trouble

A look at the latest research into when women should get hysterectomies and how the life-altering procedure should be done.

By Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingert | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 26, 2009

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  • Posted By: Akimsfat @ 04/30/2009 4:15:22 PM

    akim and luis have a ***

  • Posted By: Lulusvoice @ 03/23/2009 9:34:48 AM

    I had endometriosis, I had surgery to remove a very large endometrioma. While the surgery helped to regulate my periods a little it did not help with the overall debilitating pain. I did however find an inexpensive chinese herb that has saved my sanity and my life and made my body pain free. I am putting this out there to help any woman who suffers, It may help you too. You can find my story here http://www.squidoo.com/Endometriosis-and-Pain

  • Posted By: Lulusvoice @ 03/23/2009 9:34:13 AM

    I had endometriosis, I had surgery to remove a very large endometrioma. While the surgery helped to regulate my periods a little it did not help with the overall debilitating pain. I did however find an inexpensive chinese herb that has saved my sanity and my life and made my body pain free. I am putting this out there to help any woman who suffers, It may help you too. You can find my story here http://www.squidoo.com/Endometriosis-and-Pain

  • Posted By: Babygirl2121 @ 03/09/2009 11:18:00 AM

    Well some peole strongly go against hysterrectomy cuz it is against religion or some crazy ass thing like that but women shouild not have kids for others to raise i.e: foster homes, take Octomom she just had 8 kids and chances are she will eventually loose them. So yes this is a good article.!!:)

  • Posted By: stephlwe @ 03/02/2009 6:37:01 PM

    Thanks very much for putting this article out there!
    Women young and older with endometriosis are still being advised to just get a partial or total hysterectomy to "cure" endometriosis. However, it is NOT TRUE that a hysterectomy of any kind will help or cure endometriosis pain!

    "I had a hysterectomy, so I am cured. Right?
    Wrong. Hysterectomy treats Endometriosis ONLY on the organs that were removed. Endometriosis implants also have no need for external sources of estrogen, so regardless of whether you are on HRT or not, if all disease was not removed, you may likely continue to experience symptoms. Request the ERC's "Aromatase" and "Hysterectomy" Fact Sheets for more information on this topic." - http://www.endocenter.org/endofaq.htm

    "Hysterectomy absolutely, positively will stop a woman from menstruating. Obviously, this also stops menstrual cramps. Removing the uterus, however, has no effect whatsoever on endometriosis. If the endometrial implants are responsible for symptoms (pain with intercourse, diarrhea, painful bowel movements, painful or frequent urination) and they are not removed along with the uterus, the symptoms will not change. Similarily, removing the ovaries and leaving endometrial implants behind is not likely to do anything but throw the patient into menopause, possibly creating a whole new set of problems.

    When a hysterectomy is performed for endometriosis, removing the endometrial implants along with the uterus give the patient the best possible chance for relieving her symptoms. We always try to preserve the ovaries if possible, particularly in the younger patients.

    Hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries does not, repeat does not, cure endometriosis". - http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com/conditions/Endometriosis/myths.asp

    "Endometriosis grows outside the uterus. This means that removing reproductive organs will not remove the endometriosis. It can be an affective treatment for reducing many of the more painful symptoms of endometriosis such as painful or heavy menstruation but it is not a guaranteed way to get rid of the endometriosis. The most popular theory today puts forth that endometriosis occurs from a backup of menstrual fluid during a heavy period but many women experience retrograde menstruation and do not have endometriosis. Therefore, there's no medical proof at this time that a hysterectomy can do more than relieve symptoms. In turn, there are many side effects of a hysterectomy and early menopause that should be considered before radical surgery". - http://endoalert.org/myths.php

  • Posted By: MckayK @ 03/02/2009 8:02:27 AM

    Thank you Ms Kantrowitz and Ms Wingert for this informative article. Over thirty years ago I went through a partial hysterectomy. I still have my ovaries. A few years later, I began suffering with arthritis and today it has become so chronic that I have had to retire earlier-15 years early.

    It is, indeed permanent. And the potential for scar tissue growth is astronomical. The scar tissue can grow through other organs. In my case, it was my colon. To relieve the blockage, a portion of my colon was removed. I still have chronic pain in my abdomen area. I live daily with the fear of the continued growth of the scar tissue and another life threatening surgery.

    Thank you News Week for getting the truth about hysterectomies to the public. Women have choices. They should be aware of them.

    Mckay
    http://livingwithachronicillness.blogspot.com/

  • Posted By: jeanneendo @ 02/26/2009 6:53:06 PM

    Newsweek is to be congratulated (!) for educating the public that hysterectomy decisions are serious and permanent!

    This article wisely takes note of the fact that too many hysterectomies are performed in the U.S.

    I have met women who have had hysterectomies in the hope that it would help them feel better (with their endometriosis symptoms), only to proceed to have further, serious problems AFTER a hysterectomy! Their doctors led them to think they???d get relief that did not happen. The grief this caused them emotionally on top of the persisting physical problems is significant! Once your uterus is gone, it???s gone. There???s no going back.

    Deciding to have a hysterectomy is a very serious decision to make.

    Patients, don't be afraid to seek out a 2nd or 3rd opinion if a doctor suggests you get a hyst.

    My local support group members have found this organization helpful for researching alternatives to hysterectomy. This site is a resource for any woman considering having a hysterectomy (not just endometriosis patients).

    http://www.hersfoundation.com/

    I have had doctors talk about hysterectomy as an option for me over the years, due to my endometriosis and other GYN conditions. (I am 40 years old and my endometriosis started at age 13). I have elected not to have a hysterectomy for a variety of reasons. (There is no cure for endometriosis, by the way).

    Many people believe hysterectomies cure endometriosis. That is a MYTH.

    I would urge women thinking of having a hysterectomy to research your options and seek out multiple opinions BEFORE jumping into a hysterectomy.

    As this article concluded:

    Hysterectomy IS a serious and permanent decision.

    Thank you, Newsweek, for letting people know MORE about hysterectomies than they might have before they read this article!

    Jeanne
    Blog: ???Jeanne's Endo Blog???
    Blog address: http://www.endendoat.blogspot.com

    *** March is ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH!!! ***

  • Posted By: jeanneendo @ 02/26/2009 6:52:43 PM

    Newsweek is to be congratulated (!) for educating the public that hysterectomy decisions are serious and permanent!

    This article wisely takes note of the fact that too many hysterectomies are performed in the U.S.

    I have met women who have had hysterectomies in the hope that it would help them feel better (with their endometriosis symptoms), only to proceed to have further, serious problems AFTER a hysterectomy! Their doctors led them to think they???d get relief that did not happen. The grief this caused them emotionally on top of the persisting physical problems is significant! Once your uterus is gone, it???s gone. There???s no going back.

    Deciding to have a hysterectomy is a very serious decision to make.

    Patients, don't be afraid to seek out a 2nd or 3rd opinion if a doctor suggests you get a hyst.

    My local support group members have found this organization helpful for researching alternatives to hysterectomy. This site is a resource for any woman considering having a hysterectomy (not just endometriosis patients).

    http://www.hersfoundation.com/

    I have had doctors talk about hysterectomy as an option for me over the years, due to my endometriosis and other GYN conditions. (I am 40 years old and my endometriosis started at age 13). I have elected not to have a hysterectomy for a variety of reasons. (There is no cure for endometriosis, by the way).

    Many people believe hysterectomies cure endometriosis. That is a MYTH.

    I would urge women thinking of having a hysterectomy to research your options and seek out multiple opinions BEFORE jumping into a hysterectomy.

    As this article concluded:

    Hysterectomy IS a serious and permanent decision.

    Thank you, Newsweek, for letting people know MORE about hysterectomies than they might have before they read this article!

    Jeanne
    Blog: ???Jeanne's Endo Blog???
    Blog address: http://www.endendoat.blogspot.com

    *** March is ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH!!! ***

  • Posted By: OhioGal @ 02/26/2009 12:25:06 PM

    Even after menopause the ovaries continue to make hormones, just at lower levels than before. They also make more than just estrogen, they also make progesterone and testosterone which are needed by the body. I can say that all of the women in my family who have had hysterectomies have also ended up with bad osteoporosis. Those who didn't have hysterecotomies haven't so think twice about the procedure.

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