Young (31) with Large Fibroid, Hysterectomy???

Hello there,

I had a CT-Scan done in Jan 03, and was diagnosed with a very large multilocular fibroid uterus (central calcification) which is approx. 18cm in cephalocaudal dimension. In the CT report it says that the uterus is 14cm in width and approx.12cm in anteroposterior dimension. Besides that I have a 4 cm left ovarian cyst.

I’ve gone to my general Dr. as well as a gynecologist, and they both have suggested hysterectomies. HELP, is this the only solution

Dear Elaine-
You have received traditonal gynecological advice for your fibroids….you do have a large tumor, probably more than one, and an enlarged uterus; however there is no reason to remove your uterus, especially at only 31 years old. Hysterectomy is NOT your only option….FAS can help you. We would remove the tumors and reconstruct your uterus….I would get a few more opinions but we can definitely help you.
Removing your uterus at your age will predispose you to early osteoporosis and heart disease, and may require early hormone replacement therapy. There are also statistics that report 65% of women post hysterectomy experience irreversible sexual dysfunction.
Do your research thoroughly and carefully before committing to have your uterus removed.
Good Luck

Dr. This is Elaine and thank for answering my question I do appreciate it. Although I barely understand the terminology listed in the CT-scan result that I typed to you, about how big is this tumor or my uterus??? is there a difference between having a fibroid uterus and a uterine fibroid, or are the one in the same. Is the enlarged uterus a result of the fibroid tumor, or something else more serious

Again thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Even though I have had no desire to have children, I am still young, and I know that a hysterectomy will probably cause more of a hazard…

Dear Elaine-
Uterine fibroids are solid benign tumors of the uterus…. they can occur inside and outside the organ. Many doctors will refer to a fibroid uterus because there is often more than one tumor involved, and they are usually inside the uterine muscle. Its all the same disease process..just a different description.
Your uterus is approximately the size of a large cantelope….it enlarges as the fibroids grow and spread…just like a pregnancy. Once the tumors are removed the uterus can return to a much smaller size.