Alternative Surgery Blog

Sexual Dysfunction with Hysterectomy

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:43:52 +0000

This is a reality for many women post hysterectomy. The uterus is a muscle that responds rythmically with intercourse producing orgasm for many women. Once the uterus is removed women routinely report lack of sexual response, sensation or desire. Many gynecologists refuse to address this topic or accept this fact. This week we had a patient call the office in tears asking why her gyn had repeatedly denied any association between sexual dysfunction and hysterectomy and yet she was now void of any response or sensation after removing her uterus. She was angry and desperate! This serious and potentially life changing side effect is a reality for many many women. Before removing your uterus…do your research. Hysterectomy can and may alter your life and not in the way you anticipate.

Treating fibroids with Lupron

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:31:13 +0000

This is a medication routinely used to reduce heavy bleeding associated with fibroid tumor disease. As a secondary benefit it will temporarily shrink fibroids due to its anti-estrogen effect. Basically, this injection reduces estrogen production by the ovaries, and should be limited to a 6 months course of treatment. Symptoms associated with Lupron can be the same as menopause…hot flashes, depression, difficulty sleeping, and headaches. Once discontinuing the drug, the ovaries should once again begin to produce estrogen resulting in regrowth of fibroids. Lupron is a “temporary fix” and does not produce long term positive results.

Robotic (DaVinci) Surgery for Fibroids

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:52:04 +0000

This is one of the newer hot topics in surgical treatments. Considered minimally invasive, this technique uses several small incisions to remove tumors and repair the uterus. It requires special training prior to implementation. The physician operates instruments via a control panel and does not have direct hands on the patient, unlike open or laparoscopy procedures. Although recovery is much quicker than the traditional myomectomy, treatment can be limited due to the possibility of extensive bleeding during the procedure. The robot can be very successful for pedunculated and subserosal fibroids, but does have limitations for deep, larger intramural fibroid tumors.

"Treating" Fibroids with Ablation

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:09:25 +0000

To get straight to the point, Ablation therapy does not treat fibroid tumors. Endometrial Ablation only treats the symptoms of fibroids like heavy bleeding and clotting. The technique only destroys the lining of the uterus (endometrial lining) but does not access or treat intrauterine (submucosal, subserosal or intramural) fibroids tumors. Ablation may stop the bleeding but the procedure is a false sense of hope for dealing long term with fibroids. The tumors will continue to grow as long as they remain in the uterine muscle and are fed with an estrogen supply. Treat your disease, not your symptoms!

Osteoporosis and Heart Disease in Women

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:10:49 +0000

Hysterectomy is one of the leading causes of Osteoporosis and Heart disease in women…this is why I advocate removing benign disease like fibroids and adenomyosis without removing the uterus. If you are currently suffering from osteo and/or have early signs of heart disease,medication may be necessary. However adding a good vitamin/ mineral supplement combined with a good balanced diet/exercise program may also be helpful. Calcium can be found in low fat dairy products and nonfat yogurts to reduce calcium loss and heart health can be improved with a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna and macheral. Check your vitamin source for purity and quality and tailor your diet to help naturally fight your condition.

Diet Alone is not Sufficient in Womens Health

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:43:45 +0000

After one year of research, I have discovered the importance of complimenting the diet with much needed vitamins and supplements for everyday health…especially for women! A healthy diet with balanced, fresh foods goes along way to keeping us healthy, however as we get older the body no-longer functions optimally; nutritional absorption decreases, and immune systems degenerate. To remain in good health, vitamins and supplements can become an important part of staying fit. Research the vitamins you are taking..make sure they are quality products, balanced for maximum absorption, with no additives or fillers. If you stick to a healthy diet, exercise regularly and take good vitamin/supplements daily, you can help your body stay fit.

Endometrial Biopsy for Diagnosis???

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:37:10 +0000

Endometrial biopsies are a fairly common minor procedure performed in many gyn offices when patients are experiencing heavy painful periods. The technique involves sticking a needle into the uterine lining to obtain a small tissue sample; it can be very painful and often produces inconclusive information. Blind biopsies, via either needle or currette, can very easily completely miss the area in question, rendering an inaccurate outcome. When dealing with fibroids and adenomyosis, biopsies of the lining do not render any information as to the make up of the tumors. The biopsy is strictly giving information about the uterine lining. The procedure is rather like sticking an needle in an orange to try to locate a seed…..probably not successful. If you have fibroids, or adenomyosis, taking a blind biopsy of endometrial tissue does not render a conclusive diagnosis about your disease….

The Complications of a Myomectomy-a Patient's Story

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:06:45 +0000

This is a sad but very honest posting. We recently had a prospective patient that decided not come for our surgery because we would not guarantee fertility after fibroid tumor surgery. No surgeon can give that guarantee. We told her our philosophy was to remove her tumors without leaving any intentionally, offer a video viewing of her surgery to ensure we did everything possible, with no blood transfusions and no hysterectomy….she elected to go to a local gyn who promised all the same things AND fertility. Sadly, we heard the day after surgery that the bleeding was to intense they had to stop the surgery and left several large tumors….although transfusion was suggested and warranted, the gyn elected not to. The patient had to stay three extra days due to dangerously low blood pressures and dizziness…had multiple fainting spells once discharged home and was unable to have visitors for 2 weeks due to weakness. They have recommended IVF treatments to attempt fertility in a few months. This is just bad medicine….this patient was promised something that could not be delivered…and suffered in the process. Fertility is once again in question and she will no doubt require more fibroid tumor surgery. Make sure you know what your surgeon is capable of..the procedure you are having and the potential complications.

Herbal Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:03:01 +0000

Many women are trying to avoid traditional drug therapy when treating menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, depression, sleeplessness, and dry vagina. Hormone replacement therapy with either synthetic or bio-identical hormones can significantly reduce these symptoms however are not without side effects. IF you have female diseases that are reliant upon estrogen like Fibroid tumors, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis these replacement therapies can and will fuel your disease process. There are a few herbs on the market that can be effective at mitigating the above symptoms…..pine bark (pycnogenol), black cohosh, and St. Johns wart have shown some effectiveness. Herbs are not without side effects so check with your doctor prior to taking them…..but they may be an effective alternative to traditional hormone treatments.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy in Women

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:39:24 +0000

We recently had a patient in the office who was diagnosed and treated 10 years ago for fibroid tumors and endometriosis. She had experienced early menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and mood swings. At that time her naturopath recommended a bio-identical estrogen supplement. She was told that hormone therapy would NOT have an effect on any possible remaining fibroids. Sadly, this is not true. She now has a 7cm fibroid producing serious low back pain. IF you have any female disorder that requires estrogen to proliferate: fibroids, endometriosis, or adenomyosis, you run the risk of recurrent disease once you begin hormone supplementation.