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Ablation vs Hysterectomy
I was just diagnosed with 2 ovarian cysts on my right side along with an enlarged uterus. I have had 1 cyst removed back in 1997 and had internal bleeding at that time. Yesterday my gynecologist told me about the 2 I have now. I also have some fibroids in the muscle tissue. I will be scheduled to have the cysts removed along with having endometrial ablation within the week. I am 46 and have been having issues with HEAVY menstrual cycles and bleeding between cycles. I am wondering if I should just opt for the hysterectomy instead. Since I do not know much about ablation I have been trying to find out which option would be better.
Going without hormone replacement after having ovaries removed can be hellish. The medical community talks mostly about hot flashes but those were nothing compared to all my other post-hysterectomy symptoms. And new ones continue to crop up even with adequate HRT.
The ablatioan for me was an hour or les in the doctors office under local no big recovery. My hysterectomy was days in the hospital. I got home and was sicker than I have ever been in my life.
Alex
Alex
I did fail to mention that the left ovary had to be removed with the first cyst and this was an emergency situation as I was hemorrhaging internally. That cyst was the size of a grapefruit when it was removed.
The two that I have now are the size of oranges and hopefully they can be removed without having to take the right ovary. My fear is that I am hemorrhaging again and there will be no saving this ovary as well. This is the main factor that I am considering as far as a hysterectomy goes as I do not want to deal with another surgery.
I have also been unable to take birth control pills in the past due to migraines and high blood pressure. So I also may have issues with hormone replacement therapy.
The two that I have now are the size of oranges and hopefully they can be removed without having to take the right ovary. My fear is that I am hemorrhaging again and there will be no saving this ovary as well. This is the main factor that I am considering as far as a hysterectomy goes as I do not want to deal with another surgery.
I have also been unable to take birth control pills in the past due to migraines and high blood pressure. So I also may have issues with hormone replacement therapy.
Ugh - this sounds like my experience when my gyn of 20 years discovered a cyst and rushed me into surgery. I regret that I did not say "no thanks I will call you if I decide to proceed" and then promptly find a doctor who did not want to rush me into surgery.
Based on my hysterectomy experience and knowledge as well as connections with so many women who have had ablations and/or hysterectomies, I would hold onto my sex organs and would not do any procedure that alters their normal functioning. In women, they are called "reproductive" organs but they have functions far beyond that and are necessary our whole lives just as a man's are. They have anatomical, skeletal, hormonal/endocrine, and sexual functions that never cease.
MOST hysterectomies are unwarranted; 76% of them do not meet ACOG criteria. Only 2% are done for a cancer diagnosis making 98% elective. Ablation is sold as a hysterectomy alternative but studies show that it can have some serious, long-term side effects.
MOST cysts are benign and resolve on their own. Of course, if they are complex they may need to be removed but even some of those go away on their own. Can your cysts be monitored via ultrasound versus jumping into surgery and all its risks including the possibility that you will lose both ovaries or have a complication like internal bleeding again? Development of adhesions is another common side effect of any pelvic surgery.
Have you tried taking birth control, prescription strength NSAID's, or non-hormonal prescription Lysteda (tranexamic acid) to reduce bleeding? Menopause may be around the corner when the fibroids (benign growths) should shrink. It would be a shame to be left with the permanent side effects of ablation, hysterectomy, and/or ovary removal or ovarian failure caused by these surgeries when the symptoms could be managed with a more conservative approach.
If you really want the fibroids removed, a surgeon with myomectomy skills (for large fibroids) or hysteroscopic resection of fibroids (for small fibroids) can remove the fibroids leaving your uterus intact. The problem is that with hysterectomy so overused, it can be difficult finding a surgeon who uses organ-sparing procedures.
There is also a study that shows that a long-term side effect of ablation is chronic, debilitating pelvic pain. This is part of a "post ablation syndrome." The study showed that risk of this side effect increases for at least 8 years following the procedure. The study also showed that it is better to have the fibroids removed if you are having an ablation. However, removing just the fibroids usually resolves heavy bleeding and irregular periods so why do the extra procedure that is fraught with side effects?
Based on my hysterectomy experience and knowledge as well as connections with so many women who have had ablations and/or hysterectomies, I would hold onto my sex organs and would not do any procedure that alters their normal functioning. In women, they are called "reproductive" organs but they have functions far beyond that and are necessary our whole lives just as a man's are. They have anatomical, skeletal, hormonal/endocrine, and sexual functions that never cease.
MOST hysterectomies are unwarranted; 76% of them do not meet ACOG criteria. Only 2% are done for a cancer diagnosis making 98% elective. Ablation is sold as a hysterectomy alternative but studies show that it can have some serious, long-term side effects.
MOST cysts are benign and resolve on their own. Of course, if they are complex they may need to be removed but even some of those go away on their own. Can your cysts be monitored via ultrasound versus jumping into surgery and all its risks including the possibility that you will lose both ovaries or have a complication like internal bleeding again? Development of adhesions is another common side effect of any pelvic surgery.
Have you tried taking birth control, prescription strength NSAID's, or non-hormonal prescription Lysteda (tranexamic acid) to reduce bleeding? Menopause may be around the corner when the fibroids (benign growths) should shrink. It would be a shame to be left with the permanent side effects of ablation, hysterectomy, and/or ovary removal or ovarian failure caused by these surgeries when the symptoms could be managed with a more conservative approach.
If you really want the fibroids removed, a surgeon with myomectomy skills (for large fibroids) or hysteroscopic resection of fibroids (for small fibroids) can remove the fibroids leaving your uterus intact. The problem is that with hysterectomy so overused, it can be difficult finding a surgeon who uses organ-sparing procedures.
There is also a study that shows that a long-term side effect of ablation is chronic, debilitating pelvic pain. This is part of a "post ablation syndrome." The study showed that risk of this side effect increases for at least 8 years following the procedure. The study also showed that it is better to have the fibroids removed if you are having an ablation. However, removing just the fibroids usually resolves heavy bleeding and irregular periods so why do the extra procedure that is fraught with side effects?
its easy you will need a surgery , my mom just had one the hysterectomy it went fine , she better now , and no bleeding anymore , its better to get rid of it cause cyst can be real painful and they keep on growing, you will just need to take leave one ovary so your hormones wont get crazy . i hope i could help
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