Hi everyone,
I had a myomectomy about 10 years ago for uterine fibroids.
The fibroids have returned. There are multiple.
Prior to even having the ultrasound, my doctor was already talking about surgery to remove the uterus, so my guess is that will most likely be the recommendation.
If that is the best option, I'm not opposed to it. But before I just go with that, I've been doing some research to see what other options there might be.
I had the ultrasound yesterday, so have been doing a little research last night/today.
I think the most logical I've seen so far is maybe progesterone (cream) since estrogen dominance most likely causes/"feeds" the fibroids. It makes sense that using progesterone might balance things out. Also, i have read that going into menopause -estrogen is reduced - and the fibroids shrink -so again using progesterone cream seems to make sense.
I'm 45 years old. Not sure how far I am from menopause. If average age is 55, then 10 more years before menopause.
Has anyone tried an alternative for uterine fibroids or heard of anyone being successful with alternative options for uterine fibroids?
Thanks much for any information!
I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago for other reason but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I only had one ovary so they did leave that. I know my mom used progesterone cream after her hysterectomy but I don't know if she had to take hormones at the same time or not. But it's worth trying.
I used a drug called Fibristol. It shrunk the fibroids considerably. It is two years since my treatment ended and I am still good.
Updated
I used a drug called Fibristol. It shrunk the fibroids considerably. It is two years since my treatment ended and I am still good.
I had terrible fibroids. One of mine was huge and there were many others. My uterus was also enlarged. Everything was just terrible. I had an ablation, which did nothing, then everything started getting worse. My doctor mentioned progesterone, too, but I was just done with it all. Since I had a failed ablation, I was able to get a hysterectomy six months later at age 49 (last year). I am 18 months out now, and I am so happy I had it done. Everything was taken except one ovary. I had a brutal recovery since my uterus was too big to be taken vaginally. I had the abdominal incision. Even so, I'd do it all over again. I feel like a human being now and have my life back. Good luck with whatever you decide!
I had my uterus removed for different reasons, and although I had something very unusual happen during my surgery (one of those 1 in a million things), I don't regret it for a second. My ovaries were left, and my uterus was removed vaginally - which reduces your recovery time substantially. I was 28 when I had it done and I did go into menopause quite early due to my ovaries shutting down not long after the surgery, but I did elect to NOT do HRT. I am so glad I didn't because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer related to taking HRT about 5 years ago. Then, last year her dr wanted to put her on the cream that you mentioned for some break through bleeding and she was like - WTH, hormones gave me cancer once and you want to put me BACK on them? The dr was like, huh, yeah, probably not. Yikes.
Obviously, each person/case is different, but as a person who had their uterus out pre-menopause age, I can say that I would totally do it again. Good luck!
I did not have fibroid issues. I did have a total hysterectomy (EVERYTHING including ovaries) when I was 40. I am 55 now. The BEST thing I EVER did.
I did go straight to menopause but I wore an HRT patch weekly and in less than 3-5 years, I did nothing, no hot flashes, no symptoms at all. I kept forgetting to put a new patch on and my Dr said if I had no symptoms to just stop.
I opted to take ovaries because it is much harder to diagnose and treat ovarian cancer vs breast cancer. I've had ZERO issues since my surgery.
The website www.hystersisters.com helped me a lot when planning out my surgery, getting questions answered, etc.
Are they causing any problems?
Pain? Irregular/heavy/prolonged periods?
If not, then is just leaving them alone and monitoring periodically for any changes an option?
Progesterone cream is a daily habit that you have to keep up and for me at least it got annoying and the cream got expensive.
Some women like it.
http://www.obgyn.net/fibroids/focus-fibroids
If they are causing you a lot of discomfort then maybe a hysterectomy (uterus only, leave the ovaries alone) might be a perfect solution for you.
If you still have your ovaries then the menopause hot flashes will come when every they eventually shut down on their own.
A total hysterectomy would put you into menopause immediately.
Menopause (unless surgically achieved) doesn't happen over night.
It comes gradually -sometimes for a very long time - before your period stops completely and if it's been a whole year only THEN have you achieved full menopause.
My peri menopause lasted 15 years - and I think I would have liked to happen more quickly.
For a very long time I never knew when my period would come - would skip, would come twice, would be heavy or light - and the hot flashes, night sweats and sleepless nights were awful.
If my doctor would have given me the option of a hysterectomy - I would've said
"Heck yes!".
As it is, I hit menopause at 51 and I love having all the mess, bother, uncertainty all over with.
There's a site called HysterSisters that will have a lot of good information for you.
