Uterine Fibroids And Hysterectomy : The Good, Bad And Ugly

Having a hysterectomy can be one of the most difficult decisions a woman ever has to make. It can threaten your identity, sexuality, and fertility, and lead to lingering feelings of grief, depression, and loss. But sometimes a hysterectomy is necessary in order to increase quality of life, reduce painful symptoms, or even save lives. If you are thinking about having a hysterectomy, it is important to weigh your decision carefully. This report is designed to give the reader some important background information on hysterectomy procedures and on how a hysterectomy might affect you or someone you love.

A hysterectomy can be a life-saving procedure for women who are having serious reproductive health issues. Dr. John Macey, MD performs this procedure and many others as part of his practice. If you live in Kentucky, Alabama, or the mid-central Tennessee area near Nashville, Dr. Macey encourages you to call his office for all of your OB/GYN needs. After a thorough examination, he’ll discuss any possible health issues  you may have and offer effective treatment options to help overcome them.

By the age of 50, eighty percent of black women have ultrasound detection of fibroids (Al-Hendy et al., 2013). African American women also suffer more severe symptoms, such as bleeding and pelvic pain compared to Caucasian women (Taylor et al., 2015). African American women represent the majority of cases involving uterine fibroids with the options of treatment including hysterectomy, myomectomy, uterine artery embolization and magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU). Hysterectomy is surgery for the removal of the uterus and is the most common way to treat uterine fibroids. Although hysterectomies are the typical way to treat uterine fibroids, it is also means losing the ability for a woman to bear children. Studies show that more African American women have hysterectomies as a result of uterine fibroids than any other race (Al-Hendy et al., 2013). Most women, including African American women do not prefer hysterectomy because it means a lengthy hospital stay, recovery time, as well as, not having the option to reproduce. Women prefer to save their uterus by finding other options available. Hysterectomy is usually projected as the only option available to treat uterine fibroids and many women have to seek second opinions in order to learn about the other options (Pron, 2015). When given a second opinion, only

Janet presented with uterine fibroids, otherwise referred to as leiomyomas. These tumours are composed of muscular tissue and are found within the uterus. Research has found no direct cause of leiomyomas however, it is known that the development and growth are dependent on ovarian hormones (Brown, Edwards, Seaton, & Buckley, 2015). Levels of these hormones vary throughout a woman’s life depending on her age and genetic predisposition; risk of developing leiomyomas is lowest in prepubescent and post-menopausal women and highest during pregnancy (Tinelli & Malvasi, 2014). An increase in hormone production causes these fibroids to grow rapidly.

Uterine fibroids are very common, causing symptoms in about 25 percent of women. Fibroids are benign, or noncancerous, tumors that grow in the walls of the uterus. It's not understood why fibroids develop, but scientists and doctors believe that genetics may play a role.

After treatment at our Austin fertility center, the fibroid tissue will shrink and, in some cases, it is completely reabsorbed by the body, leaving no traces of the fibroid and your uterus unharmed.

According to National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC), in the United States, approximately one-third of all hysterectomies are performed for uterine fibroid (Right Diagnosis, 2015). The 2nd most frequent condition that leads to hysterectomies is endometriosis

Women are mostly affected during the reproductive age about 2% to 22%, and 2% to 4% during menopausal age. The ectopic endometrial cells can be implanted in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, namely ovaries, uterine ligament, rectovaginal septum, and pelvic peritoneum. This abnormal cells goes through the process of proliferation, break down and sloughs off during normal menstrual periods. Inflammation and pain noted during the proliferation process cause fibrosis, scarring, and adhesion from the inflammatory process (Huether & McCance, 2012).

Fibroid, a benign tumor that affects the uterus can be controlled with natural cures, and there may not be need for surgery or hysterectomy. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of tissue that grow in the wall of the uterus. They vary in number and size, and can be small as peanut or big as a melon.

We also wanted to inform you that we are proud to be a part of the COMPARE-UF fibroid project. This project provides the opportunity to learn from the fibroid journey of 10,000 women to be able to give better evidence-based advice to women making treatment decisions. The COMPARE-UF website had information about the study and more general information (http://compare-uf.org/). If you are planning

Infertility and ovarian cancer are very serious problems that can be developed in women with endometriosis. Infertility is the main problem associated with endometriosis. It can be a major setback for seemingly healthy couples that want to start a family. “Endometriosis is associated with infertility in 30-40% of sufferers (World Endometriosis, 2011)” “The presence of endometriosis may involve masses of tissue or scarring (adhesions) within the pelvis that may distort normal anatomical structures, such as Fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries. Alternatively, endometriosis may affect fertility through the production of hormones and other substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo” (MedicineNet, 2013). Although

Medical treatments may depend on several factors, such as age and general health, the type of fibroids and its severity, whether the woman is pregnant or if the woman in question would like to form a traditional family in the future.

Surgery – Conservative surgery aims to preserve uterus and ovarian tissues involving the removal or destroying (laser) of growths (implants). This surgery is a huge pain reliever and may allow the patient to become pregnant if wished. Conservative surgeries would be Laparoscopy: an outpatient surgery involving tiny incision to view the inside of abdomen, also known as “belly-button” surgery; Also a Laparotomy: More extensive surgery with a bigger incision and longer recovery time. Definitive surgery, which involves hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), with or without removal of the ovaries. Hormonal therapy is prescribed along with the surgery. Radical surgery is done for severe cases of endometriosis, which involves a hysterectomy. Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy assisted by laparoscopic techniques has been used for 25 years and recently also by a robot-assisted procedure. The robot-assisted procedure has been shown to have certain advantages over conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy, as it is associated with shorter length of stay (LOS) and fewer conversions to laparotomy 1. Both conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy and the robot-assisted procedure have many advantages over open surgery, as it significantly reduces the need for blood transfusion as well as pain and the amount of analgesia used 2. However, well-performed studies with multimodal pain-management are needed in order to reduce the amount of opioids used and thereby reducing the well-known side-effects, such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) 3.

Uterine fibroids affect 3 out of 4 women (Mayo Clinic, 2014). They are non-cancerous but they can cause pain and discomfort. This paper will discuss who can be effected by Uterine fibroids and its effects on the female reproductive system. This paper will show the three types of fibroids that develop in or near the uterus. It will discuss the symptoms and when a diagnosis is needed. This paper will also look into the various forms of treatment including medications and surgery.