Uterine Ablation

[dkoinzan]

It would be interesting to see what Dr. Hilgers would do for such a case. I would definately email him at the Pope Paul VI Institute if I were in this situation.

 

[Julianna]

It’s dangerous to get pregnant. The uterous lining is thinned a great deal. I think bleeding/hemmoraging is the problem.

You can have a hysterectomy and leave the ovaries so that the hormones remain. My mother had one done when I was little for excess bleeding problems, but they left her ovaries and she went through menopause normally, except for the bleeding.

Exactly what happened to me at age 31. We had two children at the time. I had a fibroid, doctor suggested hysterectomy, leave the ovaries. I did and never looked back. I am 50 now and have not lost one bit of libido…(so that is a myth). You’d be surprised how much it increases knowing you definately won’t get pregnant.

If you are having heavy periods and the doctor recommends thinning the lining of your uterus…you have the option of saying yes or no. Say yes…bye bye cramping…say no and lay in bed for a week in misery.

My fibroid was the size of a mini basketball, I had the option, “since it is perfectly symmetrical…no vining fingers…we can just cut it out of the uterus, you will continue to have periods and you can get pregnant, and yes, the fibroids could come back”…I said, “take the uterus”.

Several years later, a woman I worked with was going through the same thing. She was in pure agony and missed work. She told me that she was afraid to have a hyseterectomy that she would “lose her womanhood” and make her feel “less than a woman”. I told her it was the best thing for me and losing the womanhood bit…is a ridiculas. I sped headlong through my 30’s and the 40’s were even better. No cramping, doubling up on tylenol…all the bloating, PMS and craving food was gone as well. If I still ovulate…I wouldn’t know it or care. I don’t have Aunt Flo to worry about any more.

 

[Little_Mary]

Here’s the category I am in: My periods were very heavy with pretty bad cramps, but not enough to disrupt my daily routine. The cramps were painful but Tylenol helped. They were heavy enough so that I wanted to stick close to home, but I wasn’t in bed with a heating pad. I was changing out one of those long over night pads about every two hours.

During my annual visit, I commented to my doctor how absurdly heavy my periods were. He immediately recommended the Uterine Ablation. …and went on to make it clear that I had better make sure there was no risk of pregnancy if I were to do the procedure.

From the moment he mentioned it I did not think I needed something that drastic. Sure my periods were a pain in the…neck… but, well, whatever.

So, if you’ve read this far into this rather lengthy post, in the end I decided that there was something to be said for offering up a little suffering and inconvenience for Jesus once a month or so, considering what He did for us. So, I decided against the procedure.

Now then, it sounds like there are women who have periods much heavier and more painful than mine ever were, and literally are laid up in bed for a few days. Maybe Tylenol doesn’t even touch their cramps. I don’t have fybroid tumors either.

So, I guess I’m relatively lucky (in that my periods could be much worse than they were). If what I think I see is true, then doctors are recommending this procedure to just about everyone, not just the extreme cases.

Clear as mud?

My periods/cramps have since lightened up considerably.

 

[dkoinzan]

Has anyone checked with the PPVI on this one? It would be very interesting to hear how Dr. Hilgers works with this situation.

 

[CarrieH]

I have a couple of friends who have had this procedure. Both are in their late 40’s and had fibroids and very heavy periods resulting in anemia. One has had very good results, but the other continues to have periods, just not quite as heavy. I was offered the option, but chose instead to have a hysteroscopy D&C because polyps were more of a problem than fibroids in my case…and that did nothing to help my two-week-long periods. Another friend had a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization, which blocks the blood vessels feeding the fibroids, in order to treat her condition All four of us were considered candidates for hysterectomy; we weren’t just having procedures in order to be rid of discomfort and annoyance. I know that our situations are different than those of many of you reading this because we are beyond the child-bearing years, but I have only heard of people getting ablations as a last-ditch effort to avoid hysterectomy. As far as those who would judge us, let them live with anemia, “gushers” that soak all the way through their outer clothing, two-week-long periods, and all of the other joys that accompany fibroids and polyps before they throw stones.

 

[Jennifer_J]

As far as those who would judge us, let them live with anemia, “gushers” that soak all the way through their outer clothing, two-week-long periods, and all of the other joys that accompany fibroids and polyps before they throw stones.

I keep seeing this comment…who on this thread is being judgemental? We are all trying to figure out the moral implications of the procedure and the fact that docs expect you to be sterilized. Is it okay to avoid the hysterectomy and have the oblation and sterilization? I don’t know, but I lean toward it being a moral problem.

 

[dkoinzan]

HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN TREATED FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AT THE PPVI INSTITUTE? DR. HILGERS ONLY DOES PROCEDURES THAT ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. YOU COULD AWAYS CHECK ON EWTN Q&A WITH JUDY BROWN. SHE HAS SEVERAL OBGYNS THAT HELP ANSWER QUESTION FOR HER.

 

[Little_Mary]

I have a couple of friends who have had this procedure. Both are in their late 40’s and had fibroids and very heavy periods resulting in anemia. One has had very good results, but the other continues to have periods, just not quite as heavy. I was offered the option, but chose instead to have a hysteroscopy D&C because polyps were more of a problem than fibroids in my case…and that did nothing to help my two-week-long periods. Another friend had a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization, which blocks the blood vessels feeding the fibroids, in order to treat her condition All four of us were considered candidates for hysterectomy; we weren’t just having procedures in order to be rid of discomfort and annoyance. I know that our situations are different than those of many of you reading this because we are beyond the child-bearing years, but I have only heard of people getting ablations as a last-ditch effort to avoid hysterectomy. As far as those who would judge us, let them live with anemia, “gushers” that soak all the way through their outer clothing, two-week-long periods, and all of the other joys that accompany fibroids and polyps before they throw stones.

That’s my point. I dont think my situation is as extreme as others, so I don’t think I need the procedure as badly as those women who become anemic, two week long periods, gushers, etc. But I do think doctors are freely offering them to women like me who might not really need it as badly.

I don’t think anyone else here is being judgmental, but if you think my post was, I hope I cleared it up a little.

For me, if I had gone ahead with the procedure, I definitely think kthere would have been a moral problem. I think every case is different however. Again, my symptoms weren’t as bad as others I’ve seen described here.

 

[CarrieH]

I didn’t mean to imply that anyone here was necessarily judging people, but I have heard plenty of judgmental remarks elsewhere! The last lines of my post were a general statement, not aimed at anyone in particular.

 

[Julianna]

Basically it wasn’t a question of morality for me. I had two kids, I am blessed. I really don’t see how being in agony and flat on your back several days of the month are good for you if you already have children to care for. Is it a martyr complex? I am just asking the question.

If women go to their gyn complaining about severe cramping, extremely heavy periods…expect “hysterectomy” to be the response. If I didn’t have the fibroid and was experiencing what Carrie and some of her friends were…I would say “when’s the surgery?” and I would have had a hysterectomy…end of story.

This is not forced sterlization…it is to relieve the agony so you can continue to raise the children that you already have.

 

[Jennifer_J]

This is not forced sterlization…it is to relieve the agony so you can continue to raise the children that you already have.

Right, the ablation ISN’T sterilization. The part many of us question is when the Doc says you have to be sterilized or you can’t have the procedure done. That’s the sticking point, not the ablation itself.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

My doctor suggested this procedure for me also (I have very heavy-bleed through a super plus tampon in less than an hour-periods and cramping due to polyps), the discussion didn’t get anywhere, b/c I wanted at least one more child. She then suggested the Yaz bc pill . We will probably revisit this in the future (I’m currently pregnant, and w/ breastfeeding won’t have a period for probably another year or so). She didn’t mention the “requirement” to get a tubal, just said that you have to be “done” having kids, b/c your uterine lining gets fried. I figured that would mean using very conservative NFP to avoid until menopause (to avoid conceiving a child that couldn’t implant and would definately die). I’m wondering why drs are pushing sterilization if the only “risk” is that the child can’t implant, when most docs (outside of the few very pro-life ones) don’t consider it a “pregnancy” until implantion anyway? Is there a risk to mother should she conceive?

Sorta related question: I know this thread is about the procedure as a treatment for horrible periods, but lately I’ve been hearing commercials for some nonsurgical “permanant” bc method called “Assure” (I think), touted as an alternative to tubals/vasectomies, that sounds like the same thing. Does anyone know anything about this? If it is the same thing, simply being marketed instead as bc, then it wouldn’t make sense to require sterilization w/ the procedure in the original (when it’s being done for medical purposes).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[dkoinzan]

72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:9VDK8LnsMEEJ:forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php%3Ft%3D176862+dr.+hilgers+Uterine+Ablation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us

72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:jkFvHCyeod0J:forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php%3Ft%3D153146+dr.+hilgers+Uterine+Ablation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

When I was younger I had heavy periods that took me to the floor with pain. I vomitted and shook until finally I would end up in the emergency room for a shot that would put me out for about twelve hours. It was hell!!! I ended up with a botched surgery and then went on to the PPVI Institute. Thank God they only disconnected normal connective tissue and didn’t do any further damage. I ended up having kids and my periods are now more normal. I seriously would get Dr. Hilgers’ opinion on something like this. At the very least I would contact a doctor his clinic could recommend. He is world renowned for his work. While sitting in his waiting room there literally were other women from all over the world waiting to see him. He had doctors visiting from several countries when I was being seen. He is CATHOLIC and would never recommend any proceedure that would go against the faith.

 

[reganq]

Sorta related question: I know this thread is about the procedure as a treatment for horrible periods, but lately I’ve been hearing commercials for some nonsurgical “permanant” bc method called “Assure” (I think), touted as an alternative to tubals/vasectomies, that sounds like the same thing. Does anyone know anything about this? If it is the same thing, simply being marketed instead as bc, then it wouldn’t make sense to require sterilization w/ the procedure in the original (when it’s being done for medical purposes).

In Christ,

Ellen

I had heard of this a few years ago. It’s actually called Essure. Here’s a link to info on the Mayo Clinic site. It just looks like a really creepy device to me! I think the reason it is touted as an alternative to a tubal is because there’s not actually a surgery to implant the device.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

I had heard of this a few years ago. It’s actually called Essure. Here’s a link to info on the Mayo Clinic site. It just looks like a really creepy device to me! I think the reason it is touted as an alternative to a tubal is because there’s not actually a surgery to implant the device.

Ew, that is creepy! Thanks for that info. So it’s totally not the same thing, it’s just giving someone a tubal w/o actually tying her tubes (destroying them from the inside instead of the outside). I guess the name similarity (Essure/Novasure) got me confused.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Island_Oak]

For what it’s worth…since I started this dust up…I guess I should weigh in.

I did decide to undergo the procedure. At the risk of divulging TMI…for those of you who may not be familiar w/ my posts, I have had a series of medical challenges in the past year that have caused among other things a significant weight loss and persistent anemia. I have also experienced such dramatic changes in my monthly cycles that my bathroom takes monthly turns looking more like an inner city crime scene than the peaceful domestic setting it is~inconvenient, yes…but also seriously complicating the anemia.

Ultrasound testing revealed no fibroids or tumors and it determined the issue was a likely hormone imbalance. This was not a situation that could continue, but for a number of medical reasons I was not a candidate for hormone/pill therapy. The only other option was a complete surgical hysterectomy–which was overkill given the endometrial ablation option.

I was informed that I could get pregnant after the procedure, but warned I would not be able to carry a pregnancy to term and would put my own health at serious risk if I became pregnant. Sterilization, however, was not made a precondition of the procedure.

The procedure was simple, quick, pain-managed and recovery accomplished in a couple of days. It’s too early to tell what the impact will be on my cycles, but I am hopeful based on my physician’s experience with other patients.

This was not something undertaken for mere convenience, comfort or birth control–it was the most direct and least destructive solution to a serious medical problem–nor do I believe it would have been offered by my doctor for any of those other reasons.

At this point in my life I feel it was an appropriate treatment and have no moral qualms about it whatsoever. I am grateful for the children I have, and frankly with my other health issues and my age I would not and probably could not have successfully completed another pregnancy.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Thanks for updating us on your situation. I’m glad a sterilization wasn’t required, as this looks like a good alternative to a hysterectomy (I have a feeling I may be needing this procedure in the next few years), and it would stink if faithful Catholics, once again, were forced to choose between our beliefs and good medical care.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Little_Mary]

Basically it wasn’t a question of morality for me. I had two kids, I am blessed. I really don’t see how being in agony and flat on your back several days of the month are good for you if you already have children to care for. Is it a martyr complex? I am just asking the question.

If women go to their gyn complaining about severe cramping, extremely heavy periods…expect “hysterectomy” to be the response. If I didn’t have the fibroid and was experiencing what Carrie and some of her friends were…I would say “when’s the surgery?” and I would have had a hysterectomy…end of story.

This is not forced sterlization…it is to relieve the agony so you can continue to raise the children that you already have.

No, it is not a martyr complex. As I stated before, I think I am in the category of women who have cramps and heavy periods, but not enough to call it “agony” or be flat on my back. I choose to put up with the inconvenience of what I do experience and offer any pain/dirty laundry up to God. I have to admit that if my symptoms became much worse, I’d consider the procedure.

But becuase my symptoms don’t lay me out for a week, that tells me there are different levels of cramps and heavy periods.

However, I think doctors are making the procedure available to just about anybody who says “cramps and heavy periods”, hence some of those women (myself included) should honestly consider just how badly they really need this, only because of the sterilization/morality factor.

If someone has cramps that Tylenol can control (like me), and the periods are not so heavy as to keep them and home and disrupt their daily routine (like me) then I definitely think there is a moral issue.

BTW, when I mentioned “cramps and heavy periods” to my doctor he did not say “hysterectomy”, he said, “uterine ablation”.

Also btw, I happen to know someone who did not have periods that put them into agony/flat on her back, but she had this done strictly for the convenience of not having to have a period anymore. It was easy. All she had to do was say “cramps and heavy periods” to her doctor. I personally have a problem with that. Especially b/c of the birth control issues. (she, however, is not Catholic so she didn’t lose any sleep about that!).

 

[Jennifer_J]

Island Oak,
I’m glad you were able to have relief for you symptoms. Sounds like you make the right choice for your situation.

God bless,

 

[Little_Mary]

Island Oak,
I’m glad you were able to have relief for you symptoms. Sounds like you make the right choice for your situation.

God bless,

Yes Island Oak. Sounds like you were a perfect candidate for this procedure!