Hysterectomy is a surgery women don't need says Dr. OZ

Dr. Oz discussed the number one surgery that women often do not need, but all too often they get: hysterectomies.  The main reason that women get a hysterectomy is because of fibroids in their uterus.  One woman had 87 tumors removed by laser, after seeking other options since her first doctor told her that her only option was to have her uterus removed in a hysterectomy.

Questions to Ask Yourself If You Have Fibroids:

1.  How bad are the symptoms?
2.  How limiting to your lifestyle are your symptoms?
3.  What is your age?
4.  Do you plan to have kids?

Sometimes there really is no option other than to have your uterus removed in a hysterectomy, but Dr. Ashton gave a few examples depending on the answers you have to the above question.
If you are going through menopause, or are around the age when it will begin, then you should try to buy yourself some time rather than having the operation, because when a woman goes through menopause she will have a dramatic reduction in the growth of her fibroids.  Instead of having a hysterectomy, try discussing with your doctor other options to manage the heavy bleeding.
Dr. Oz had a woman on his show who had her uterus removed and she said it was the biggest mistake of her life.  She was depressed for three years and could not stop crying.  All too often, women have hysterectomies because their doctors tell them that they are past the age of having kids so don’t need it anymore… this is a crazy reason!  Dr. Oz gave a good analogy, which is that we wouldn’t tell a man to cut off his penis if he had erectile dysfunction or if he didn’t want kids since then “he wouldn’t need it anymore.”  Dr. Oz said that the word Hysterectomy comes from the word hysteria, because a very long time ago, doctors actually believed that it was the operation to get rid of a woman’s hysteria! Patients need to understand that their doctors may only be telling them about procedures that they personally can do, rather than all of the options available… this is NOT acceptable!  Another example where you should look at alternative options is if you are in your 30’s and still want to have kids.  Here is a list of options for treating fibroids:

Fibroid Treatment Options:

1.  Myomectomy - a laproscope is used to remove the fibroids without removing the uterus.  This can leave a lot of scarring in the abdomen and you may have a lot of bleeding, but you will have your uterus.
2.  Uterine artery embolization (UAE) – a catheder goes into a blood vessel that is removed so that the blood supply to the fibroid is cut-off and thus the fibroid can’t get nutrients to exist or grow.
3. Hysteroscopy – A hysteroscope is useful to deal with fibroids in the uterine lining that cause heavy bleeding.  In a hysteroscopy, a camera is inserted through the vagina and goes through the cervix, and the doctor can then shave off the top of the fibroid and decrease your bleeding dramatically.  It is possible that it may grow back and you would have to do it again, but this surely is better than removing your whole uterus.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Fibroids & Hysterectomies:

1.  Do I need my cervix removed?  Many abnormal pap smears or cervical cancer are the main reasons you would need to have your cervix removed.  Leaving it in increases the support to the pelvic structure and may help with some sexual functions as well.
2.  A total hysterectomy does not mean you have to have your tubes and ovaries removed.  Ask if the doctor will be removing one or both ovaries.  New data is showing that if you have your ovaries removed for benign reasons, like fibroids, during a hysterectomy, you may have a shorter life because of cardiovascular disease.
3. What should I expect after the operation?  How long will I be in the hospital?  Will there be damage to any adjacent organs?  How will I be in 6 weeks, 6 months and 6 years?  Will my sexual function be altered?
4.  What are my risks?  What is the risk of bleeding?  Should I give blood in case I need a blood transfusion?  How often do the risks happen in general and within your practice?
5.  Ask for a full list of all of your options, even options that your doctor cannot do himself.

Fibroid Treatments At Home:

1.  Ibuprofen relieves cramps and heavy bleeding, and thus can be very helpful in reducing blood loss.
2.  Make yourself herbal teas made of Cramp Bark (an anti-spasmatic) and Valerian Root or you can try a tea packet with Valerian Root in it like Tazo Tea Well-Being Herbal Infusion

I know this may be allot to read but i suggest my ladies to read this with a sense of urgency, love you guys~