30 year old trying to avoid Hysterectomy

Hello. I’m a 30 year old woman who has never had children. I was diagnosed in March and at that time my uterus was 17x5x9. Last week (Nov), it was 17x11x15, with the largest fibroid tumor being 4.9 cm. I am going to have a biopsy on Friday and my OB/GYN is already talking about a hysterectomy.

I don’t seem to have very many symptoms. I had heavy, irregular bleeding and clotting, but since going back on birth control pills, I am back to normal. I do notice pressure and have constipation problems, but I really don’t have much pain.

Does the growth alone warrant surgery (barring cancer, of course)? I am very interested in your proceedure if I have to do something.

Lynne GPM

Dear Lynne-
Your symptoms are all classic for fibroid tumor disease. The birth control pills are managing your symptoms, but not treating your fibroids. With every menstrual cycle, your tumors will continue to grow. You most definitely need surgery, and the fibroids should be addressed as soon as possible, especially for fertility concerns. FAS can definitely help you.
Please contact my office for some assistance.

My case is simular to Lynne’s. My tumors are large and were diagnoised about 6 years ago. I’m really not having any discomfort. The doctor says that I have an enlarged uterus and it appears that I’m pregnant. He also says that if I make it through menopause without having surgery, I’ll shouldn’t have any problems after menopause. I am 41 and I don’t think that I’ll have children. I do not want to have a hysterectomy. How should I handle this problem short of surgery? Is there a way to rid my uterus of the fibroids, keeping the uterus?

Fran

Dear Fran-
Fibroid tumors are a surgical condition-short of removing them there is not much that can be done. Many patients treat their symptoms with diets, acupuncture but these do not treat the disease, and the tumors just continue to grow. You are one of the fortunate patients that do not have too many symptoms. It is my experience that eventually you will have problems. The larger you allow the tumors to get the more chance of bowel and bladder problems, as well as possible uterine prolapse. You are still very young at 41 and could have as much as 10-15 years to menopause. Your tumors will be very large by then, making a surgical procedure very difficult. Also please keep in mind that most women begin some type of hormone replacement therapy after menopause at some point, this will again supply your tumors with an estrogen supply and they can begin to grow again.
I would suggest you consider our FAS procedure. You will be rid of the tumors and be able to keep your uterus for its other natural functions. Please contact my office if you are interested.

Fran and Lynne:
I was in your shoes 9 months ago. I was 29 at the time and diagnosed with a uterus the size of a 5 month pregancy. I was also told that I would need a hysterectomy and that was my ONLY option considering the size of my tumors.

On June 12th, 2000 I had 29 tumors removed by Dr. Deljunco Jr and I am SO grateful I made that decision. Now 8 months later I have periods that last 3-4 days with NO CRAMPING. I am NOT on birth control pills and I feel better than ever. I know this must sound like an infomercial but I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Deljunco, his nurse Patricia, his staff, and Temple Community Hospital.

I wish you both all the best but please know there is a solution to preserving your reproductive organs.

Cledra.

Im a 35 year old. All done having my kids. I have fibroid tumors, and all the lovely symtoms that go with them. Ive been advised on a getting my uterus removed, not ovaries, but what concerns me is my sex life. How will it change? Can I still have orgasims, when I have no uterus, and will I be having vaginal dryness because so much was taken out at my cervix? Im very nervous,because I no where this stuff is heading, and do I take the chance of taking drugs, or just get the surgery? My tumors was the size of a golf ball, and I had a d&c, but that wore off, I think its grown bigger by the way my ab. feels and Im very scared and so is my husband, he thinks I wont want sex ever again once its done. help?

Dear Julie-
Many women contact this office monthly wishing they had never had their uterus removed.
Once the uterus is removed the direct communication between both ovaries is cut off…..hormone imbalance is one of the first problems many post hyst women experience. We often see depression, bowel and bladder prolapse and most importantly,,,,sexual dysfunction.
Woman report lack of sexual desire and little or no sexual response. These women have the uterus as the primary organ for orgasm..once it is removed, they have no orgasmic response during sexual intercourse.
Hysterectomy is an irreversible procedure….some woman do just fine with, some women do not. There is no way to know in advance which side of fence you will fall…this is one of the reasons we strongly recommend women try to save their uterus as a primary option. It can always be removed at a later date, if necessary. Do your research very carefully…and good luck

My name is Brenda I am 36 years old, I have 3 kids, and I know that I am finished with having kids, because my body says so. I have fibroid tumors Last year they were an inch in size (3). I bleed very heavy, and the blood clots are like the sizes of little babies. My back feels as if it is going to break in half, my stomach looks as if I was 6 months. Now when I have sex, I bleed as if I were on my period all over again. I need to have surgery, but I’m so afraid. If I can just over come this fear that I have. How do I look at this in a more postive way? When I smoke weed, my stomach becomes 3 times the size, does the fibroids get bigger?

Dear Brenda-
You need to take control of your life…surgery is very frightening and it is normal to be afraid, however you need to take action. Your tumors need removing, and the longer you wait the larger they will get and the more severe the symptoms. Dont delay.
We have no research on the effect of “weed” on fibroids.

I am a 30 year old woman and I have had two uterine myomectomys. I do not have any children.I would like to know what are my chances of being able to conceive?

Libby

Dear Libby-
There is no way to definitively answer your question…there are too many unknown variables.
Any time you operate on the uterus there can be scaring but many women have had successful pregnancies post myomectomy and even with fibroid tumors still in the uterus.
All you can do is try…..