Options for Cysts and Fibroid Removal

[jewlzsef]

I have been experiencing severe pain and discomfort from a combination of ovarian cysts and fibroids for 3 years now. I was treated with birth controls pills and then steroids and nothing has worked. I just got back the results of my most recent ultrasound. I have 2 cysts on an ovary and 2 fibroids. The doctor has talked to me about a myomectomy option vs. hysterectomy for the fibroid removal. I don't know which way to go on this. I'm concerned about the success rate of a myomectomy and don't want to go through a surgical procedure and then end up having to have a hysterectomy in the long run. Naturally, I also don't want to have a hysterectomy and end up with complications and am really afraid of menopause. Any advise you might have would be greatly appreciated.

[old_before_my_time]

I echo krchelle's words. Our female organs have lifelong, non-reproductive functions even though the hysterectomy / oophorectomy industry indicates otherwise.

I had a hysterectomy and it has been the biggest regret of my life BY FAR! It still haunts me 9 years post-op because it has negatively affected my life and figure in EVERY way.

Unfortunately, the "standard" in the Gynecology specialty seems to be to remove organ(s) so it can be a challenge to find a surgeon whose practice is centered on sparing our organs. But neither ovarian cysts nor fibroids require organ removal IF you have an ethical surgeon with the right skills such as cystectomy and myomectomy. If your fibroids are small, they can usually be removed with a hysteroscopic procedure that is less invasive than myomectomy. Dr. William Parker is a fairly outspoken proponent of organ sparing procedures. He is author of "A Gynecologist's Second Opinion."

There is also a procedure called Uterine Artery Embolization / Uterine Fibroid Embolization that cuts off the blood supply to fibroids causing them to gradually die and be shed. It can cause some pain during the die-off process but may be worth considering. However, be aware that temporary or permanent complications are possible as the embolization material can lodge in places it was not intended (misembolization). This procedure is done by an interventional radiologist not a gynecologist.

I discovered the hard, painful way how important it is to do our own research, get a definitive diagnosis and understand ALL treatment options (some of which may not even be mentioned by your doctor) before proceeding. Hysterectomy is one of the top overused surgeries with only 2% done for a cancer diagnosis. Ditto for ovary removal (castration). It is BIG BUSINESS at $17B per year.

Best of luck to you in getting good treatment that restores your health versus trading one set of symptoms for another.

[krchelle]

If it were me, I would go with the least invasive option at this time.  A hysterectomy is a pretty big deal and your reproductive organs are important for life long health. I would opt for the myomectomy to remove the fibroids and see how that works.  You can always go in for a hysterectomy later if you need one, but can't undo a hysterectomy once it's done.  So, I would start with the smallest procedure first.

I am no expert and do not have fibroids, but I do have issues with cysts and endometriosis.  My surgery to remove my ovary and large 14 cm cyst changed my life, and my body, in a way that I was not expecting.  If I had to do it over, I would have gotten a second opinion and had a less invasive surgery.  (I had a major laparotomy, and found later that I could have had a laparascopy and possibly kept my ovary.)  So...my advice to anyone going through anything similar is to get a second opinion and be as conservative with surgeries as possible.

Good luck