I am 50 years old and recently diagnosed with a T1cN0 invasive ductile carcinoma (1.6cm). I had a lumpectomy and 3 sentinel nodes removed which showed no lymph node involvement. After getting two oncologist’s opinions I have decided to forego chemotherapy and only have radiation and Tamoxifen therapy.
I have a long history of endometriosis. When I was 20 I was diagnosed with endometrial cysts the size of “small oranges”. I had them removed and I was put on 2 nine month cycles of Provera to simulate pregnancy. Several years later when experiencing infertility, I had a laparoscopy. It showed that adhesions had attached one ovary to the pelvis and away from the fallopian tube. I had 4 hours of surgery where the surgeon microscopically removed every bit of endometrial tissue he could find as well as removed the adhesions. Finally 3 years later I had a successful pregnancy.
When I was 40 I was diagnosed with a large fibroid. Not wanting the suggested hysterectomy, I did a little research and asked about a endometrial ablation. My doctor sent me to another physician who then performed that procedure. Over the years, I thought that I was getting a recurrence of the endometriosis. I would get pre-menstrual cramps as well as sometime some cramping during ovulation.
With my breast cancer diagnosis I was given a bone scan and CA 125 test. The CA 125 test showed 9U/Ml. My bone scan showed an indent on my bladder. That led to a CATSCAN. I just received the preliminary report that I have ovarian cysts and that I should see my gynecologist. (In addition, since I do have a family history of breast cancer on my father side, I had a blood sample taken for BRCA gene problems)
I think my gynecologist will recommend a complete hysterectomy. With Tamoxifen doubling my chances of endometrial cancer, I am inclined to agree this time. With what I have shared with you, what do you think? I was perimenapausal anyway and now the Tamoxifen will push me over the edge. My concern is that I’m happily married and enjoy the sexual side of my marriage.

Dear Rita-
There is really no correlation between your breast cancer and your gyn conditions. The increased risk of endometrial cancer with Tamoxifin, applies to all women, you are not in a higher risk group, based on what you have told me.
You should stay off all estrogen based medications and taking the Tamoxifin will not have a negative effect on your endo or fibroids. There appears to be no reason for you to have a hysterectomy-if your gyn symptoms persist, treat them conservatively, but I would recommend keeping your uterus. Good Luck

My wife is 41 yrs of age, diagnosed with uterine fibroids for years now, and was told she is equivalent to being 3 months preg (uterine size from fibroids). No more desire for children. Her only symptoms are excessive menses for approx one day of her cycle. Progesterone cream has helped some (I suppose it counters an estrogen dominant condition). She has been thinking about endometrial ablation using the “hot water balloon”. I know it doesn’t cure the underlying fibroid disease but what do you think of this Tx option in her case? Also, since it does not get rid of fibroids, will they just grow outward then since they have no other place to go and possible cause other problems?….like urinary, bowel, etc.

Thanks in advance.

Chris F.

Dear Chris F-
Thank you for your inquiry.
I do NOT advocate this procedure of fibroids, it only addresses the symptoms, the actual tumor disease is not effected.Your wife will no longer have her period, but the tumors will continue to grow and take up space in the abdominal cavity. Eventually these tumors may impact other organs:bowel, bladder and digestive system. I recommend removing the tumors, do not wait.Your wife has probably another good 10 years to menopause-she could become very uncomfortable over time. The longer you wait for surgery the harder it will be. Good Luck

Dear dr. I’m 19 years old and Ive just been told that I have two 15cm cysts one on each ovary. Please give me some advice. The doctors keep saying that at least one ovary may have to be removed and there is a small possibility for removal of both due to bleeding when they cut the ovary. I’ve already scheduled for surgery. If I make them leave my ovary and it is bleeding what are the complications?

Dear N-
Thank you for this email….you need to proceed very carefully. At your age, it would be very tragic to lose one or both ovaries. There is no reason to remove an ovary for a cyst or endometrioma. I have removed many cysts in my practice, even very large ones, using a laser and have successfully reconstructed the ovary. You may want to get several opinions before committing to one surgeon. You need to feel very comfortable!!
If bleeding starts and the surgeon cannot stop it, they will remove your ovary. Good Luck

I am in my early forties. 2 years ago I had a laproscopy for pelvic pressure and bladder and urethral irritation. The ob-gyn found endometriosis and pelvic varicosities and recommended hysterectomy. I asked for laser removal of the endometriosis and he refused because of my age and reluctantly gave me lupron injections for 3 months which did next to nothing. I am having severe pelvic pain most of the time now and saw another OB-GYN who after a pelvic exam says I have endometriosis and adenomyosis, again recommending hysterectomy. He states that laser surgery for endometriosis is only temporary and it will recur. An ultrasound measures my uterus at 9.1 x 5.5 x 6.2 cm at day 21 of my cycle. Is this an enlarged uterus? What are the recurrence rates for endometriosis at your clinic? Do you use a similar technique of Dr. David Redwine of st charles medical center in bend, oregon of near contact laser therapy for endometriosis? I do like the idea of you repairing any problems you find during surgery. It makes sense.

Dear Lauren-
I am unfamiliar with Dr. Redwines specific techniques except to say I have heard of his practice and it appears to be very successful. We also use a contact laser for therapy and recommend that endometriosis be treated twice within a 3-4 month period. Recurrence rates are traditionally very high-this disease is very difficult to irradicate, but if not treated, only continues to spread rapidly. We do not have statistics on our program yet. Most of our patients have been very happy with their long term outcome. Your uterus is enlarged by your description. I would suggest you get some type of therapy as soon as possible.

I am a 37 year old female 3 years post hysterectomy. I am haveing symptoms again ie… constipation,bladder control and bladder pain,back pain and swelling in my legs,and bloating. Is this Nitemare reaccuring.And what can i do?

Dear emcga-
Once again, this is another example of complications post hysterectomy. That procedure is not a “cure all” that everyone thinks it is. I will assume by your posting title that your surgery was due to endometriosis-by having a hysterectomy you prevented further spread of the disease from the uterus however it did nothing to stop the spread of the existing implants in the pelvis. Every month when your hormones change you will have a flair up of the existing disease-this needs to be thoroughly treated with a laser, and probably with several repeat treatments to see any reduction in the symptoms. Go back to see your physicians and ask for help. Good Luck

my name is allison i was 31 when i had my hysterectomy six months ago,i had endometriosis and adenomyosis.the pain is now starting to return but is more controlable due to my takeing a drug called zydol.however i find it very difficult to cope with the monthly weight gain and constent bloating is their any one out there who is copeing with this similar problem

Dear Ally-
I am sorry to hear that you had your uterus removed.
Many women experience more complications after that surgery, than if the disease had been treated and the uterus reconstructed. Although you will not have any further new implants, since the uterus has been removed, your endometriosis will continue to spread unless treated appropriately.
This is a good lesson for all women contemplating a hysterectomy as a “cure” for their problems: do your research carefully,as the outcome may not be what you expect.

I had a total hysterectomy due to severe endometriosis when I was 27 yrs. old. It had shut down one of my kidneys and swelled the other to two times its size. My uterus, ovaries, and tubes were removed. I only had 1 child. I had a miscarriage after I had her. This was devastating to me. I wish I had know of FAS back then. The hormonal change, physical change, and mental change is mind-boggling. Please let me know if you know of any Drs. who precribe natural hormone therapy. It really scares me with all the bad talk about estrogen replacement therapy. I have stopped taking Estratest because of the weight gain. I have started taking Promensil, a natural herb supposed to be for menapause.
Recently, my husband’s aunt was diagnosed with endometriosis. She is in her 60’s. She had no pain, just started bleeding. The doctor told her she had “endometriosis, cancer of the womb.” I know endometriosis is not cancer and tried to talk to her about it, but she was too upset to listen because she thinks she has cancer. They want to do a hysterectomy, after she see an onocologist (sp?). God bless you and your work.

Dear emeraldkr-
Thank you for your posting. Hysterectomy is not often a good thing!!
Many homeopathic pharmacies can refer you directly to someone on your area.Check with them.
Good luck with you aunt….she may not be ready to listen yet, it takes time.

I am currently taking 2 Micronor on a daily basis to stop me from having a period. I have been taking Micronor for 3 or 4 years. Is this really ok to be doing this to myself?

Dear gjhlrus-
Anytime a women does not have a period, it is not normal. Your body was meant to sluff the endometrial lining on a regular basis. Taking birth control pills only treats the symptoms of your disease, it does not treat the disease itself. You need to treat your endometriosis directly. The longer your postpone this,the more the disease will spread. Dont wait.

I am so happy you told this young lady it was not normal to not have a period. Well Dr.Del Junco I have a serious concern among african american women who think it is not normal to slough off the linning of the uterus for five days.It brings tear to my eyes the way some of these african american women are still teaching geche ways about the female body when the lord has already set what the body is and what it ain’t; ways that are not right. I’ll have to say Dr. this has been my cycle since middle school my cycle has always lasted four to five days.I think this is normal,but I am asking you.

Dear Whitson-
Every womans body is different. Some women have their period for 3 days and some have it for 7 days. If you have always had your period for 4-5 days, and things have not changed, than that is normal for you.