Endometriosis Support Group
Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.
well i had my hysterectomy on the 22nd and am still in recovery. i am having a really hard time getting rid of the gas they use to inflate your stomache. (any tips?) i feel like it should be gone by now since it has been almost a week. but my real question is since doc opted not to remove the ovaries because i am only 22 and he didnt want to catapault me into menopause what do you think are the chances it will return???? i am a bit worried also i told the doc that i felt like menopause would e like a mild discomfort compared to the last 2 years but he disagreed.
everyone is different. but most likely it can return because your body is still producing hormones like estrogen that feeds the endo and makes it grow and a hysterectomy is no cure for endo many woman still have the symptoms and others it returns. hopefully yours wont
good luck
sabrina
My endo did not go away, but I had so much joy from the freedom from the worst pain, that what I dealt with after was not as bad by far. I realize now (having had a difficult surgery recently for a complicated endo tumor) that I wasn't aware of the impact of endo AFTER the hysterectomy. I wish I had then, in this group of supporters and fellow sufferers, what I have now. I think you will do a better job of keeping on top of whatever happens next for you because you are aware and have support.
There are no guarantees that the endo will not return. The stats are not in our favour, BUT.....there are ways to minimize the risk. I am realizing that the food thing for me is huge. I have looked on the net for concrete data about the recurrance of endo after a hysterectomy and I found this from the Mayo Clinic...
"Although uncommon, endometriosis can recur after removal of the uterus and both ovaries (hysterectomy with oophorectomy), if you're taking estrogen therapy. Endometriosis is a painful condition in which a type of tissue that normally lines your uterus becomes implanted outside your uterus, most often on your fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining your pelvis. Endometriosis needs estrogen - which is produced primarily by the ovaries - to persist. If you have your uterus and both ovaries removed, endometriosis pain usually goes away. However, if you're taking estrogen for menopause symptoms, endometriosis may persist or return even after such a procedure. In such cases, endometriosis usually has spread beyond the lining of the pelvis. Talk to your doctor about treatment options for endometriosis after hysterectomy and oophorectomy."
Hope this helps, and sorry for being so long winded.....
As for menopause, I don't think you go through it the same with your ovaries intact, so maybe ask the doctor about that. He should be discussing all the side effects, hormonal treatments and what will happen with your body.
one thing that really helped me was peppermint tea. when i heard that would help, i was like nahhhh are you serious. it really does.
hope that eases up really soon and you make a full recovery :)
As for it returning, well this is endo and anything can happen, but we all hope that it doesn't! As for the doctor and disagreeing to take out your ovaries, well that more than likely has mostly to do with your age. He was protecting himself in case you want to have children someday... I realize that you can't HAVE them, but you can have biological ones this way. When I asked my doc about this option she said they want to cover all the bases and make sure that if you change your mind that you have the option to do so.
i really hope it works for you
good luck