Have you heard of this? Hysterectomy "just because"?

My mother is currently 75. She went through menopause at age 36.

Her doctor told her she needed a hysterectomy. My mother said for what reason. The Doctor said all of her patients have hysterectomy. So my mother should have one also.
The doctor did not even examine my mother. She told her she needed this surgery.

My mother refused.

I guess the doctor wanted to drum up some business for a surgeon.

My mother is on Medicare and has an additional private insurance from her former employer. The doctor just wanted to make some money.

Originally Posted by Kayte71 I had very severe periods- pain that would put me down for days, routinely bleeding through my clothes- it was terrible.

Yeah field trips (during my time of the month) in Jr. high were AWESOME! <insert sarcasm here.

Originally Posted by annulla Why is it so hard to believe that a doctor would do something unscrupulous and unethical to collect a fat paycheck? I'm sure a lot of us here (myself included) could tell you stories about doctors who happily write prescriptions for people who don't really need them, bill insurance companies for tests and procedures they never performed, approve people for disability who don't deserve it, and perform unnecessary surgeries on demand. Reminds me ... way back when I was in high school, we all knew about a local doctor who sold prescriptions: amphetimines to anyone who said they had a problem losing weight and opiates to anybody who claimed they had trouble sleeping. As I recall, he charged $25 for a prescription, and he was famous in our neighborhood because he'd hand out prescriptions to everyone who paid him, even kids.

For me beccause when I intially went to the Dr. they said absolutely no way until I was at least 30 years of age (even with my health issues), and it wasn't the only Dr. that told me this.

At close to 30 my sister wanted her tubes tied. Her Dr. refused due to her age

Originally Posted by elliej Wow I am surprised they gave you progesterone for treatment of a pre-cancer. I took premarin for my hot flashes after my hysterectomy ( I still had 1 ovary) because @ the time I didn't care they were so bad, and thought the hormones won't affect me. Well they did, they didn't cause my breast cancer but my Oncologist told me that it "fed the cancer". I'm by no means telling you what to do, but I always question hormone treatment now and taking hormones to treat pre-cancer really blows my mind.

what sucks for me is I am not able to take hormones. This is because of my having fibrocystic breast disease. I was reccomendedot take estroven which I can but OTC at walmart. I know people who have taken it (it's an herbal supplement) and have stopped having hotflashes and trouble sleeping, moods swings, etc. I am goign to pick some up the next time i go shopping.

Originally Posted by zelda what sucks for me is I am not able to take hormones. This is because of my having fibrocystic breast disease. I was reccomendedot take estroven which I can but OTC at walmart. I know people who have taken it (it's an herbal supplement) and have stopped having hotflashes and trouble sleeping, moods swings, etc. I am goign to pick some up the next time i go shopping.

I take Black Cohosh for my menopausal symptoms (It's OTC and works for me). My Oncologist recommended it. After I went through Chemo my hot flashes and night sweats became 100% worse, then I now have to take Arimidex for 5 years (one more year to go), which also make the symptoms worse and because my cancer was hormone positive they had to give the Arimidex to block the hormones.

wow. That screws with your hormones, and can upset all the levels.

When I was a kid, I had a friend whose mother had one because she had truly chronic menstrual migraines. I wish I could remember how that went.

Of course, both my husband and I are huge fans of bioidentical hormones, because we've both had drastic positive changes in our health.

There are a lot of comments here that make me think other people would benefit...

Originally Posted by elliej I take Black Cohosh for my menopausal symptoms (It's OTC and works for me). My Oncologist recommended it. After I went through Chemo my hot flashes and night sweats became 100% worse, then I now have to take Arimidex for 5 years (one more year to go), which also make the symptoms worse and because my cancer was hormone positive they had to give the Arimidex to block the hormones.

Be careful.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16721764

Originally Posted by secular Be careful. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16721764

WOW Thanks Liz, I had no idea! I go Wednesday to my Oncologist so I'm gonna ask her about this. Seriously thanks, God knows I don't need anything else going on.

Originally Posted by core_17 I don't really have an opinion on the OP, but I just wanted to say that this is a very poor choice of words. If I were to have to have a hysterectomy, I'd hate to be made to feel that I was losing my womanhood.

So sorry. Okay a bad choice of words. I really meant it as woman "parts." Did not mean to offend anyone. Just can't see getting rid of your woman parts if there is no need to. Sorry.

If it were an elective surgery, I would have it done tomorrow.

I have no desire to have kids. I have never wanted kids my whole adult life. And I absolutely loathe having my period. I find it totally disgusting. For me, my uterus is a totally worthless organ.

I was on Depo-Provera for over 15 years. I know what life is like without a monthly period. And I loved it! However, my provider would no longer prescribe it for me; it is supposed to be a short-term solution, not a long-term one. I've been off it for 2 years, with my period resuming about 18 months ago.

I hate being bloated. I hate sore, swollen breasts. I hate the back acne. I hate the uncontrollable act of cramming carbs down my throat (at least once a month, I am halfway through a box of Cheez-its before I realize I've gotten in the car & driven to the mini-mart on the corner. Seriously.) I hate never knowing when it will show up.

I guess I'm fortunate. I generally don't cramp too bad. I don't bleed too heavily. So there is no medical reason for a hysterectomy or ablation. I jokingly ask my provider every time I have a pap done. But I know the answer is always going to be no.

But if I had the money...or insurance would cover it, it would be done.

Originally Posted by elliej I take Black Cohosh for my menopausal symptoms (It's OTC and works for me). My Oncologist recommended it. After I went through Chemo my hot flashes and night sweats became 100% worse, then I now have to take Arimidex for 5 years (one more year to go), which also make the symptoms worse and because my cancer was hormone positive they had to give the Arimidex to block the hormones.

I've been posting in various threads that I have 2 big bottles of Black Cohosh (one is opened and one isn't). You're more than welcome to have the 2nd bottle - it's Rite Aid brand (big bottle). Let me know if you want it.

And I bled so bad too......not to get too graphic but would go through a super+ tampon and overnight pad in like 20 minutes- for WEEKS!!! And the clots were disgusting!!! It was horrible.

Having a hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did - I had no side effects, complications, nothing. I'm sorry for everyone else who had problems, but I sure as heck didn't.

I haven't read all posts yet, but she's not really the type to downplay any problems she was having with it. She'd have P&M'd about her symptoms (just like I would I wouldn't have even known about the hysterectomy if she was shy about that kind of thing.

I totally appreciate the desire to avoid periods (was on Depo for a long time myself til I got fed up with the weight gain and now take continuous bc pill) but I dunno that I'd want to go to quite that length for it. Especially if there was any chance of it causing any more damn weight gain.

Before she had it done, I asked if she was keeping the ovaries (heard that makes it easier) and she said nope, she wanted the whole shebang out. I saw her on day 3 and she seemed just fine. Today (day 10-ish) she was painting a bedroom including the ceiling. Said it was slow going.

Dunno what would be required for insurance but she said she's been hounding her doctor about it for years, so I guess he could probably make up a good reason for the surgery. I ought to get his name next time I talk to her - never know when you might need a doctor who just gives you what you feel you need instead of giving you the same old canned advice you can get off the interwebs.

Originally Posted by Silver Spring I haven't read all posts yet, but she's not really the type to downplay any problems she was having with it. She'd have P&M'd about her symptoms (just like I would I wouldn't have even known about the hysterectomy if she was shy about that kind of thing. I totally appreciate the desire to avoid periods (was on Depo for a long time myself til I got fed up with the weight gain and now take continuous bc pill) but I dunno that I'd want to go to quite that length for it. Especially if there was any chance of it causing any more damn weight gain. Before she had it done, I asked if she was keeping the ovaries (heard that makes it easier) and she said nope, she wanted the whole shebang out. I saw her on day 3 and she seemed just fine. Today (day 10-ish) she was painting a bedroom including the ceiling. Said it was slow going. Dunno what would be required for insurance but she said she's been hounding her doctor about it for years, so I guess he could probably make up a good reason for the surgery. I ought to get his name next time I talk to her - never know when you might need a doctor who just gives you what you feel you need instead of giving you the same old canned advice you can get off the interwebs.

I think it is key as to why he finally did it. Almost like parents saying if you want something 6months later,they will consider buying it or helping purchase it. I treat my tattoos the same way. If I want it 2 years later, I will get it done. but I change my mind alot, so I only have two tattoos. So a good thing is to wait to sit and think about it. A waiting period helps us define and gives option to change our minds. Ideal to make sure the patient is of sound mind. Seems she was a go getter from the start. Her body. A consenting decision between a doctor and her. If it isn't a life saving, even though I think insurances are douch bags, they do have room to say it shouldn't be fully covered just like most cosmetics are not. I think there should be partial coverage to take into consideration it is possible it can lesson doctor visits and pain management over the years due to sever cramps, anemic re-occuring and other issues.

Originally Posted by twinreader If you are done having children you can stop having periods (or just having very light periods) without a hysterectomy. They burn off the cells that line your uterus with a laser. The procedure is done while you are under. The recover time is about a week. I actually felt fine after 4 days, but I had the week off work so I took it. This procedure changed my life. No one who hasn't had terrible periods month after month can understand the change. Here is a link if you want more information. http://www.novasure.com/info/utiliti...ure.cfm?src=ns

Best thing I ever did too!!!

Originally Posted by elliej Wow I am surprised they gave you progesterone for treatment of a pre-cancer. I took premarin for my hot flashes after my hysterectomy ( I still had 1 ovary) because @ the time I didn't care they were so bad, and thought the hormones won't affect me. Well they did, they didn't cause my breast cancer but my Oncologist told me that it "fed the cancer". I'm by no means telling you what to do, but I always question hormone treatment now and taking hormones to treat pre-cancer really blows my mind.

I did plenty of research (and discussions with several gyn-oncs) and treatment with progesterone is a well accepted course of treatment in specific situations. Estrogen is the most problematic of the two hormones. When one is estrogen-dominant, progesterone treatment is acceptable treatment. If one is not estrogen-dominant, then a hysterectomy would be the way to go in my situation. Obviously the treatment worked as I have had normal results for 4 years (D&C, 6 month biopsies, and yearly dual u/s to prove it).

Premarin, on the other hand, contains estrogen, and estrogen is known to "feed" breast cancer. That's why my MIL (bc survivor for almost 40 years), for years, has been told to avoid things like soy products (estrogen like compounds in them that mimic estrogen) and was not able to take estrogen patches for her hot flashes.

What you and I have and methods of treatment are not comparable.