I need advice........femine problems....warning may contain TMI

[cearhart]

I don't want to be gross with all the details but I am reaching out to my female friends here at HCW for advice (I have no other females to ask) So here it goes* warning this may have too much info*. I recently have had increasing problems ith my monthly gift it is very very heavy I am talking changing a super plus tampon every 20min or less with very large blood clots. It is very painful, I can't even move or work or even leave my house, so I went to the gynocologist a couple of days ago and they gave me a couple of suggestions. The doctor said that I could have ablation done which would burn down layer of my uterus to help reduce the bleeding. OR I could try birth control pills or the mirana -keep in mind I am bi-polor and have extreme anxiety so anything with hormones would mess me up more than I alreay am, or I can have a hystorecmy ALSO I only have insurance for the rest of this year so I am trying to find the best soulution without long term care or cost. Has anyone had any of the same problems as me? Any of the procedures? Is there risks involved with theses procedures? I am leaning toward the hystorectomy because I feel that it would be a permanant soulution witout long term cost. I am worried though about the healing and sexual desires afterwards...will that be affected? Doctors give you all the study information but I need real people information.... Can you all PLEASE help me???????????????
TIA

[thecooperhouse]

As long as you aren't planning more children- if I was you I would look into the ablation. I have talked to a couple people who have had it done for heavy bleeding and they basically said it was a miracle. I personally don't know much about it - so I would research mayoclinic.com or webmd.com first to get some more info. At least this way you wouldn't have the hormonal issues of a hysterectomy.

[leqet]

Did the doctor say what is causing the heavy periods? If you are on meds for your anxiety/bi-polar check and make sure that it is not a possible side effect from any of those meds. You can go to drug.com and type in your prescriptions and read all the possible side effects.

Did you have an ultrasound of your reproductive system done? Any tests of any kind? If you didn't have any of that it seems wrong that the doctor would just give you those options and let you decide what to do. I would get a second opinion. The heavy periods could be caused by another condition like thyroid dysfunction that is not going to go away by having a hysterectomy. Here's a list of possible causes of heavy menstrual bleeding from the mayo clinic:

Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding): Causes - MayoClinic.com

I would take this list and ask your doctor about any of them that seem to fit your situation or about any of the other health conditions (Thyroid, liver and kidney disease, etc) that may run in your family.

[missmichelle01]

I had something very similiar to what you are describing in 2003. I ended up doing the hysterectomy because I was done having children and had already had my tubes tied long before this. Did they tell you what you actually had wrong? I had very large firboids that made my uterus stay the size of being 5 months pregnant all the time. I had the same sympoms you are describing. They wanted to do a procedure (sorry I can't remember the name of it) that basically surgically burns away the fibroids, but they can come back. I did not want to take the chance with that and being that I was done having children, I chose the hysterectomy. My sexual desire is still the same and I now have the benefit of never having a period again. They did not take my ovaries because there was nothing wrong with them. So, if you do decide to opt for the Hysterectomy ask them if it is necessary to remove your ovaries also. If they do have to then you will go into early menopause which I did not want to do. I hope this helped you a little at least. Please understand I am in no way a doctor, just telling you my opinion and what I went through. :)

[cearhart]

I have had tests done, I have had a ultrasound of my uterus and blood work. If I have my uterus removed then the ovaries can stay there is nothing wrong with them. I do not know what is exactly wrong with me as far as a disorder. Yes I do take meds for my bi-polor disorder and I make sure of any other meds before I take them and no it is not a side effect of my meds. I am worried if I have the ablation that it will either not work or the bleeding will continue or come back in a few years when I do not have insurance.

[CW&M Mom]

do they know what is actually causing the horrible periods?

My concern with doing a hysterectomy with leaving both ovaries there...is if your ovaries are in super drive mode...they still release eggs...there is just no where for it to go. If your hormones are that out of whack...your upping your risk of breast cancer (having hormones out of whack...) cause most breast cancer is estrogen fed....

so what I'm saying is if hormones are actually the issue...I'd want to some how find a way to get that under control. Heck it might be possible to have just one ovary removed...and keep one there. you'll still have hormones...but hopefully less.


I know if I need a hysterectomy at some point...everything is coming out...but that is because my mother has estrogen fed breast cancer...so for me...those hormones are my enemy.

[3timesoccermom]

Wow that sounds truly miserable. Have you always had periods that way or did this just begin recently?

[collectorofbells]

I had heavy periods as well(5 Fibroids-largest the size of a baseball)....had a hysterectomy in 2006 and kept my ovaries...as far as the egg being released( I asked my doc)....it simply reabsorbs into your body....if you keep your ovaries then you lessen or even eliminate the hormonal problem.....it may take a few weeks for them to wake up after surgery but they do! in fact...I no longer even have the horrible PMS either!

the only PERMANENT long term solution is a hyst.....I would direct you to the hystersisters website....don't get scared..there's ALOT of info there...but there are also lots of woman that have been there, done that, bought the t-shirt that can help you as well.

Hysterectomy Support, Recovery, Information, Forum, Discussions - HysterSisters that's for the message board...there's plenty more info as well...

[Spanelli8706]

I have been looking into these two options myself, per my DR's request. I can tell you that with the hysterectomy- it is a surgery. You will have to have it done at a hospital, there will be more down time for healing, etc. which will take longer. It is more invasive. With the ablation, my GYN said she does it in her office. It is a shorter procedure. There is some discomfort initially, but it usually resolves quickly.

So there's a big difference in the healing time and length of procedure and location required to have procedures done. I am going for a second opinion next week. Have you thought of doing that as well, getting a second opinion?

[cearhart]

I can't really get a second opinion I am on state insurance and you have to be referred by your reg doc and blah blah blah..... I do beleive the doc I just don't know what to do about my situation. I don't work and I am trying to get on disablitiy for my bi-polor and anexiety so the down time doesn't bother me or the recovery but I did just get married last month so I really don't want my sex drive to suffer....lol....