Enlarged Uterus, Ovarian Cysts, Irregular Periods

Dr. del Junco:

I gave birth to my third child 18 months ago. During my annual check up my doctor advised me my uterus was enlarged what he believes is the cause for abdominal bloating. I have also been having irregular periods and I have suffered from painful ovarian cysts for 10+ years. We have decided to have no other children due to my age (37 years) and two difficult pregancies. My doctor has suggested it may be time to consider a hysterectomy. I have a follow-up visit next week. What questions should I ask–are there books you recommend to help me research this?

Thank you.

Dear Amalia-
You are far too young to have a hysterectomy.
Please read the section on the website pertaining to hysterectomy complications-this will enable you to generate questions for your office visit.
Suggested readings:
West, Stanley MD “The Hysterectomy Hoax”
Hufnagel, Vicki “No More Hysterectomies”
Strausz, Ivan K. MD “You Dont Need a Hysterectomy”
Good Luck
Dr. DJ

Dr.Del Junco:
My problem is very,very heavy bleeding and severe pain when I’m seeing my period,tenderness in my lower left abdomen. Because of this I had so many different test done to find out the cause. The last test I had was 07/13/00.The doctor that did this procedure told me, I have a block fallopian tube, a very large uterus, ovarian cysts and fibroids under the linning of my uterus.

I have not see my Dr. since the last test, but he suggested before to remove that block fallopian tube. Is it possible to save it, also would the enlargement of my uterus cause the bloating of my stomach. It make me look like I’m 5 months pregnant.

I’m 37 years with a 15 year old son, my pregnancy before him and two after him result in a miscarriage, the last one was 08/1987. i’ve never got pregnant since, would this be the cause of what happening to me for the past three years.

I appreciate your advice, very disturb.

Dear LH-
You have all the classic symptoms of adenomyosis (endometriosis of the uterus, see website) which are severe pain, heavy bleeding and an enlarged uterus. Fibroid tumors under the lining will also produce heavy menses.
Both these diseases contribute to bloating of the abdomen and the appearance of a pregnancy. FAS can help you-you are the perfect patient that has multiple benign diseases that can be safely treated with a laser. Please give my office a call.

I am a 45 year old woman in great health. a few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst, 5cm x 11 cm. My doctor said that he will remove the cyst with laproscopy surgery. He also said that he will move the involved right ovary. He told me that he will also remove the left ovary, which is not affected. Should I ask further questions about why he is removing the unaffected ovary, since this will lead to immediate menopause, he just said because of my age and that I do not need this ovary either and it could lead to further complications.

Dear Tremlos-
I do not agree with your physician’s philosophy.
If your procedure is to be laparoscopic-it is sometimes difficult to remove pathology and reconstruct the ovary due to a limited field. This means that the ovary is often removed, even if the cyst/tumor is benign.This can be unfortunate. Depending on the size of the cyst, I will recommend an open procedure in order to specifically be able to save the ovary.
I would never remove the opposing ovary that is normal.
Ovarian cancer is rare, and I believe that natural hormone regulation is much superior to chemical regulation. It is also beneficial to allow your body to enter menopause naturally versus being surgically induced. I would advise you to keep your normal ovary.

I’m 37 and have had endo since the age of 13. From the start I’ve had painful periods and just figured I had a low tolerance for pain. At the age of 32 I told my doctor I could’nt take the pain and wanted to have the laproscopy to check for endometriosis. They found most of the endo located behind my uterus near by bowels. They decided not to laser, due to the location of the endo and I was put on Lupron. I hated the weight gain, hot flashes, etc… Unfortunately the pain from my periods came back 4 months after taking the Lupron. My question has to do with my last ultrasound(9/20/01) which shows that I have an enlarged uterous ( 10.8) with many fibroids and a mass on my left ovary. I’ve been bloated, but my periods have been normal and with 2 aleve I’m fine. My doctor has recommended that I think about a myomectomy and/or hysterectomy and she used the C word( cancer) which has made me an emotional basket case all weekend. I don’t have a history of Ovarion Cancer in my family, but I do have a maternal grandmother and great grandmother who both died from stomach cancer. I’m torn as to what my options are and also what questions I should be asking my doctor before scheduling this surgery. I’ve always been strong person, but this has me scared to the point that I cry each time I think about it. It’s bad enough that I’ve always known that having a child was probably not going to happen for me, but when your told that one of you options won’t allow you to even try, that’s hard to swallow. Please help me to ask the correct questions at my consult. Thank you

Dear Marcia-
Probably 75% of our patients have been scared into thinking they have cancer. Only one of our patients in the past 6 years had a malignant fibroid-99.9% had all benign pathology.
You are far too young to have your organs removed.
You will not have relief until your endo is treated correctly. Even if you remove your uterus, this will not effect the current pain you have with the implants already in your pelvis.They will continue to produce pain and spread, as long as you have your ovaries, and cycle monthly. IF you remove your ovaries, you will go into immediate menopause. I do not recommend this, even for women in the late 40s. Hormone regulation is not always easy and long term use does increase breast cancer. You need to find a skilled surgeon who is comfortable treating endo anywhere in the pelvis, and treat it thoroughly!!! We use a laser, and treat the entire abdomen, when necessary. I know we can help you, without removing your organs.We would remove the uterine pathologies, ovarian cysts and treat your endo all with a laser.Please give my office a call.

Hi,
I am 37 and have had 2 c-sections the last 12 yrs ago. I have had abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant for about 7 yrs that over the last 2 has become increasingly worse. The pain occurs with
my menstrual cycles and is always worse that time of the month but may continue into the following 3-4 weeks. The pain is a sharp stabing pain at times or a consistant ache, at my last Dr. visit
my uterus was unlarged 6-7 week size. My menstrual cycles have always been around 44-60 days in lenght and this has not changed nor has the amount of bleeding, I would consider my cycles heavy for 2 days and then light for 2 days,
this usually never changes.
I have been told my 2 choices are birth control bills (which I do not want to take) or a hysterectomy. I am very frustrated, my doctor thinks I am not following his advise, but I don’t even know what is wrong with me?? The pain has gotten so much worse I don’t feel I can ignore it any longer.
Thanks for this web site, I will be awaiting your thoughts.

Dear Irbritt-
Your symptoms are consistent with Adenomyosis. Most traditional physicians will treat you with a hysterctomy-we can offer you an alternative solution without losing your uterus. Please read my website section on adenomyosis-give my office a call.

I have an ovarian cyst of about 9.5 cm. I am booked for a cystectomy. The cist appears fluid filled with minimal debris and complex with another smal cyst inside. Will they be able to save my ovary?

Dear Mary-
There is no way for us to advise you on this..you need to ask your Doctor about his technique and his opinion.