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Hope For Fibroids
Poster (PDF)
To download Adobe Reader
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NOTE: The new section is not
intended to take the place of seeing a physician for a consultation.
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Case
Example: Fibroids
growing after menopause
I have a large
(grapefruit or larger) size fibroid imbedded to the right side of my
uterus. I am searching for both information on the origin
and development of fibroids in women who are over 50 and
post-menopausal and the recommended treatments available.
Analysis: It is
NOT normal for fibroids to develop or grow after menopause.
It should be determined if this is new or something that you had
before menopause, but were not aware of.
It is EXTREMELY
important that you have a doctor consultation
and/or second opinion to evaluate this situation in detail.
- Francis Hutchins, M.D. |
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Case Example: Menopause after UAE
I was using vitamin E to help with my sore breasts
during ovulation (I am starting to experience menopause symptoms after
my UAE, age 48), but recently I saw a controversial article on Vitamin
E and heart disease. What other herb/vitamin can I use to
relieve sore breasts/PMS symptoms?
Analysis:
Evening Primrose oil. Remember, however that pain relievers such
as Tylenol may also be useful. - Francis Hutchins, M.D. |
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Case Example: Fibroid, Ovarian Cyst, Menopause at 65 Years
Old
I have a large fibroid and also a large mass on the ovaries. One
doctor recommends a hysterectomy, and another doctor recommends a
myomectomy. I am 65 years old and wonder if the embolization
technique would work on both problems?
Analysis:
At age 65, I assume your have entered
menopause. Fibroids normally do not grow after the menopause and they
tend to reduce in size. Embolization would not be expected
to have any effect on a fibroid after menopause. Why has treatment of
the fibroid been recommended?
The mass on you ovary is much more
concerning because you are in the age
group where cancer of the ovaries tends to occur.
No one
can assure you that a large ovarian mass at your age is non cancerous.
Having
said all that, my last comment is to urge you to have something done
sooner rather than later. You will only know what this ovarian
mass is when it can be surgically examined.
- Francis
Hutchins, M.D.
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Case Example: 62 Years Old - Menopausal Bleeding I am almost 62. I started bleeding again
last month. Had an ultrasound -"multiple fibroids" - the largest one
is about 1" x 1". The doctor has educated me about them, & says
her preference is a hysterectomy. I still use estrogen patch &
prometrium. She says continued use isn't good for me. I
had one ovary removed almost 20 yrs ago because it was mangled by a
uterine fibroid. I have never been pregnant. Doctor says I
don't need my uterus anymore. I could just continue to take
small amounts of estrogen after removal. I am worried about
having my uterus out -- it seems like overkill & too invasive.
Analysis: You have
what is referred to as 'postmenopausal bleeding'. This is likely
secondary to the hormones you are taking but should be evaluated by a
biopsy of the endometrial lining of your uterus (an office
procedure).
The fibroids are probably inactive at this
point. I tell patients with fibroids that they are in a race to
menopause. If they get there before symptoms require treatment
of their tumors they have won because the fibroids stop growing and
shrink.
I have never understood what "need" in this
context is supposed to mean. But it is insensitive and ludicrous
to recommend major surgery with all its risk based not on symptoms but
rather lack of "need" for an organ.
It is probable that adjusting or stopping
your hormones will resolve the bleeding. Nevertheless an
endometrial biopsy is
recommendable. Isn't that a lot simpler and safer than a
hysterectomy?
– Francis Hutchins, M.D. |
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Case Example: Subserosal Fibroid at Age 45
I have a subserosal fibroid. I have no pain, pressure, or abnormal
bleeding. I am 45 years old. What kind of fibroid
treatments or diet should I look at for this situation?
Analysis:
" I have no pain, pressure, or abnormal bleeding." This means you
have no symptoms and apparently no indication to be treated. You are
approaching what I consider the "finish line" for fibroids, i.e.,
menopause. Fibroids stop growing after menopause and tend to shrink.
I know of no diet
that has been proven to effect fibroids one way or another.
– Francis Hutchins, M.D. |
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Case Example: Myomectomy and Menopause
I know that UAE can send 5% of women straight
into menopause, and I wonder if this can also happen with a myomectomy.
I am in my early 30's, and I should probably be happy with the reduced
bleeding, but I am worried that it may be a symptom of something else
(menopause, scarring in the uterus, sterility)?
Analysis:
As long as the period is
occurring regularly you are not in menopause and the endometrial
lining of the uterus is present and responding. Nevertheless you
should let your gyn know about this in case he knows of any difficulty
during the surgery which may cause him concern about the endometrium.
There are women who normally have such light periods through out their
reproductive lives and have no fertility problems.
– Francis Hutchins,
M.D. |
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Case Example: Depo provera
Hi, I have just been to the doctor for anemia,
and they told me I have a large fibroid the size of an 18 week
pregnancy. They want to start me on Depo provera for 6 to 9
months. Maybe then hysterectomy. I am 51 and have not had
any menopause symptoms. Does the Depo provera work in shrinking
the fibroid enough to do the new laparoscope hysterectomy?
Thanks for any info.
Analysis:
If laparoscopic hysterectomy is desired, Lupron or a similar drug
would be the preferred drug. Depo provera has little potential
for shrinking fibroids. -
Francis L. Hutchins, Jr., MD |
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Case Example: Abdominal
Myomectomy Incision I
underwent an abdominal myomectomy. The doctor removed a 6 centimeter
fibroid from my uterus, and she said it was apx. 3 times the size of
my uterus. As far as I can tell I seem to be recovering fine (I
experienced some "twinges" of pain on occasion). However, there is a
"pouch" of skin (for lack of a better description) that is above the
horizontal 4 inch incision and yet below where my stomach is. Further,
prior to the surgery, this area was completely flat. From a side
angle/profile, this "pouch" extends approximately 1 inch. It is very
tough to the touch.
Analysis:
What you describe commonly occurs after “bikini” type transverse
incisions. It does not represent type of scarring that you likely have
been cautioned against. That type is internal. The one you have is of
cosmetic concern only and will tend to improve with time.
-
Francis L. Hutchins, Jr., MD |
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Legal Note: The material presented on Hope For Fibroids Inc.
web site is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to
be a substitute for physician care.
If you need medical advice on uterine fibroid
disease or other medical conditions you should discuss them with a
physician.
Last modified:
Saturday January 05, 2008 |
Copyright 2005-2008
Hope For Fibroids Inc.
(web site designed & developed by
Hope)
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