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How Can An Enlarged Uterus Be Treated?
Question: Hello,
I have an enlarged uterus and a 9 inch fibroid. My ovaries are completely healthy, but my periods are very heavy and painful, and as a result I have to take 2 iron supplements a day. I've been diagnosed with adona myasis. My gynaecologist has recommended a hysterectomy, however I would prefer not to induce menopause and would like to keep my ovaries if possible. I was wondering what you would recommend, and if it is possible to take out my uterus and tubes but keep my ovaries
I have an enlarged uterus and a 9 inch fibroid. My ovaries are completely healthy, but my periods are very heavy and painful, and as a result I have to take 2 iron supplements a day. I've been diagnosed with adona myasis. My gynaecologist has recommended a hysterectomy, however I would prefer not to induce menopause and would like to keep my ovaries if possible. I was wondering what you would recommend, and if it is possible to take out my uterus and tubes but keep my ovaries
Brief Answer:
it is absolutely possible to remove the uterus and keep your ovaries
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you so much for asking your question on healthcare magic. I will do my best to help you.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to remove just the uterus and keep your ovaries. The only reason to remove the ovaries would be if you had a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or if you were known to be at high risk for ovarian cancer yourself, or if your ovaries were abnormal.
However, in your case, it sounds like your ovaries are normal. I do agree though that with a large fibroid like you have and adenomyosis that a hysterectomy would be an appropriate treatment. However, you can definitely ask your doctor to keep your ovaries.
Once the surgery is done, your ovaries will continue to make their normal hormones until whenever your natural menopause occurs. However, you will not have any bleeding or pain at all with your cycles, because your uterus will be gone.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards
it is absolutely possible to remove the uterus and keep your ovaries
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you so much for asking your question on healthcare magic. I will do my best to help you.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to remove just the uterus and keep your ovaries. The only reason to remove the ovaries would be if you had a strong family history of ovarian cancer, or if you were known to be at high risk for ovarian cancer yourself, or if your ovaries were abnormal.
However, in your case, it sounds like your ovaries are normal. I do agree though that with a large fibroid like you have and adenomyosis that a hysterectomy would be an appropriate treatment. However, you can definitely ask your doctor to keep your ovaries.
Once the surgery is done, your ovaries will continue to make their normal hormones until whenever your natural menopause occurs. However, you will not have any bleeding or pain at all with your cycles, because your uterus will be gone.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you, I don't have any family history of ovarian cancer but I heard without uterus the chance of ovarion cancer is much higher is that true, what if I check my ovaries a few times a year ?
Brief Answer:
that is not true at all, in fact it may be less.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you again for your question.
It is not at all true that your chance of ovarian cancer is higher. In fact, most ObGyn surgeons now a days will remove the uterus along with the fallopian tubes, and only bleach the ovaries. Recent studies suggest that by removing the tubes one significantly reduces the chances of developing ovarian cancer. As it turns out, the most common types of ovarian cancer actually originate in the tubes and not in the ovaries.
So you can absolutely keep your ovaries and have a hysterectomy and actually reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, not increase it.
As far as checking the ovaries are concerned, that is a more complicated issue. Doing routine ultrasounds of the ovaries has not been proven to be helpful in screening for ovarian cancer. There are some blood tests on the horizon that one day may prove useful, but for now we don't have any really good screening tests. But that is true whether or not you have a hysterectomy.
However, your doctor can certainly do exams and ask you questions about symptoms that could be related to ovarian cancer, and sometimes an ultrasound might be indicated. Symptoms though are usually vague, like bloating, GI upset, and similar things.
In short, your decision to have a hysterectomy should not be affected by your concern for ovarian cancer. if anything, you may actually be reducing your risk.
Please let me know if you have any more questions, I would be happy to help.
Regards
that is not true at all, in fact it may be less.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you again for your question.
It is not at all true that your chance of ovarian cancer is higher. In fact, most ObGyn surgeons now a days will remove the uterus along with the fallopian tubes, and only bleach the ovaries. Recent studies suggest that by removing the tubes one significantly reduces the chances of developing ovarian cancer. As it turns out, the most common types of ovarian cancer actually originate in the tubes and not in the ovaries.
So you can absolutely keep your ovaries and have a hysterectomy and actually reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, not increase it.
As far as checking the ovaries are concerned, that is a more complicated issue. Doing routine ultrasounds of the ovaries has not been proven to be helpful in screening for ovarian cancer. There are some blood tests on the horizon that one day may prove useful, but for now we don't have any really good screening tests. But that is true whether or not you have a hysterectomy.
However, your doctor can certainly do exams and ask you questions about symptoms that could be related to ovarian cancer, and sometimes an ultrasound might be indicated. Symptoms though are usually vague, like bloating, GI upset, and similar things.
In short, your decision to have a hysterectomy should not be affected by your concern for ovarian cancer. if anything, you may actually be reducing your risk.
Please let me know if you have any more questions, I would be happy to help.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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