Holiday Stress and Fibroids

Stress can and does effect hormones and therefore fibroid tumor disease.
As we begin this holiday season, many women report increased stress levels
and as a result problems with their cycles.
Make a conscious effort to continue an exercise regimen, eat responsibly,
get plenty of sleep and find ways to reduce your stress…although this is good medicine year
round, it’s an important reminder for the stressful holiday season!!

"The Silent Killer"

Just recently in the LA Times there was an article on the “silent killer” Ovarian Cancer,
I thought I would comment on that topic today. Although my practice is limited to treating
Benign disease only, many of the same symptoms can be seen in both malignant and
Non-malignant conditions.
All women should be concerned about Ovarian Cancer, but note that it is not common. Your
risk of getting ovarian cancer is 1 in 70 women, and the disease does have a genetic factor,
so examine your family history thoroughly. Currently, medicine has screening tests for
several different types of cancer…..mammograms for breast cancer, PSA for prostate,
Pap smears for cervical cancer but as of yet, nothing with any consistent effectiveness
for ovarian cancer. The most widely used screening test, the CA 125 blood test, is grossly inefficient.
Many patients with ovarian cancer show no elevation in the marker and yet many women
with benign conditions like endometriosis show high elevations.
Since medicine has no definitive test for Ovarian cancer, monitoring symptoms can be critical in diagnosing
this disease in its early stages. If caught at Stage 1- chances of a cure are 95%!!!!!
The symptoms tend to be very generic and could be associated with other conditions so don’t panic….however if you have more than two or three of the following, several times a month….
Call your doctor immediately:

Fertility and Surgery

After the blog last week, we had many emails regarding the treatments
for fibroid tumors in relation to fertility options. There is no way to
“guarantee” fertility with surgery. No doctor can do that. What your doctor
can do is safely remove your tumors. IF you have multiple or large fibroids
your chances of fertility will become less over time or impossible, if you do nothing.
Removing the fibroids may also prevent fertility just by cutting the uterus to
remove the tumors.
IF you have fibroids and are contemplating a pregnancy, check with a fertility specialist.
Sometimes the only option for treatment is a surgical removal of the tumors….but that does not always
ensure fertility after surgery.

Fibroids and Fertility

I recently received an email from a concerned husband regarding his
Wife’s fibroid tumors and her fertility. I thought I would address that
topic today.
Many many women can and do get pregnant and carry a pregnancy full term
with fibroid tumors. Fertility with fibroids is dependent on the size,
the number and the location of the tumors. Obviously the greater the number, and
the larger in size the greater the incidence of infertility or miscarriage.
Also, location is vitally important. Tumors that are deep in the intramural area
of the uterus or those impinging on the endometrial cavity can and often will
produce miscarriage.
It is very important that fibroids be removed as soon as possible……
This is why my philosophy after 12 years of female surgery still remains….
Do not wait and see.