His and Her Health

My wife and I visited her doctor because of pain she was suffering prior to her ovulation. She described the pain as if her "bottom were being torn off", and as if "she were bleeding through out her abdomen." The pain was so intense one evening she fell to her knees and we went to the Emergency Room. They treated her for pain but other wise were of no assistance. Thereafter, her doctor did an exam and said he felt "congested uterus". He suggested a laparoscopy to explore the possibility of endometriosis as her films had shown normal. He indicated that during that time they may do a partial hysterectomy if that were indicated. In speaking with others we have heard horror stories of people who wished they had done a complete hysterectomy because they were now suffering from ovarian cancer.<P>We are wondering if there are more examinations, short of laparoscopy, which can better diagnose this problem?<BR>If there is no endometriosis is there some alternative effective treatment of "congested uterus"?<BR>If a partial hysterectomy is recommended would it be better to undergo a complete hysterectomy?<BR>Is hormone replacement therapy usually recommended following a full hysterectomy? What about the dangers of breast cancer?<BR>Are there alternatives to hormone replacement therapy which are effective and don't carry the potential dangers of breast cancer?<P>Thanks<BR>Darrel Parker<BR>A concerned husband.

I don't know the answers to your questions. But I do know several women who regret ever having had got hysterectomies. One of them now says that one should always get THREE expert medical opinions before embarking on surgery. <P>Too many people take surgery lightly.Better be safe than sorry. Keep up the research and all the best to you and your wife.

Since we aren't apparently allowed to put even non-profit links up anymore, feel free to email me for the URL of a bulletin board specifically for women who've either had a hysterectomy or who are considering having one.<P>Also, there are other, much less invasive, treatments for endometriosis (if that's what they determine she has) than a hysterectomy or partial. Your wife may wish to explore these treatments before agreeing to a surgery. Some of these treatments will be discussed on the board above. If you doctor hasn't discussed these with you, he/she has been very remiss in suggesting surgery as a first option. <P>Like the previous poster, I'd recommend with that before undergoing this or any major surgery you get at least 2 (prefferably 3--the extra expense is worth it) opinions. I strongly recommend these come from doctors in different cities, and that you do not disclose previos opinions to these doctors (or even that you've seen other physicians--treat every visit as the first and only visit for the condition if at all possible). There is often a "good ole boys" network in which docs agree to support one another's opinions regardless, and avoiding that will hell you get a more objective opnion from each physician.<P>Also, has your doctor discussed a continuous birth control method to supress your wife's ovulation? This is an FDA approved method of taking birth control pills, and may help control her symptoms without a hyst. I am not a doctor, but wondered if anything like this had been discussed?<P>Hope some of this is helpful,<BR>Dona1 (formerly dona--courtesy of computer glitch I had to reregister).<P>[This message has been edited by dona1 (edited 30 August 2003).]<P><BR>[Note: This message has been edited by NEWSHE Moderator]<p>[This message has been edited by dona1 (edited 31 August 2003).]