Women's health problems that don't always make the magazine cover
While many women think that PMS, childbirth, menopause and breast cancer are the only frustrating health issues they'll face, there are other less talked about problems such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis that are just as bothersome — and sometimes more painful.
Suffering with uterine fibroids
A new procedure offers hope
The agony of endometriosis
New hysterectomy option
Suffering with uterine fibroids
"I was age 44 when I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. At the time, my doctor said my only treatment option was hysterectomy or complete removal of the uterus. I wasn't ready for that," says Joanne D. of Marlton.
According to Virtua gynecologist Andrea DiGaetano, MD, "Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in the muscle of the uterus. Some women have them and never experience symptoms, while others may have heavy bleeding, cramping and pelvic pressure. They're are fairly common but are usually diagnosed in women age 30 and beyond."
In Joanne's case, the bleeding was so severe that she suffered from anemia and fainting spells. Fortunately for Joanne, there were alternatives to hysterectomy. "Women with mild symptoms may only need to be monitored by their physician," says Virtua gynecologist Stuart Shalit, DO.
"For women with more severe symptoms, options include: medications that suppress the ovaries such as birth control pills; medications that suppress estrogen production and produce an artificial menopause; myomectomy, in which only the fibroid tissue is removed; or hysteroscopy, in which the fibroids inside the uterus are removed vaginally."
A new procedure offers hope
"I heard on TV that there was a new procedure for treating uterine fibroids called uterine artery embolization; I researched it to find out if it could help me," states Nancy.
"Performed by a radiologist using x-ray guidance, uterine artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure in which tiny pellets are injected into the uterine artery," says Dr. Shalit. "These pellets lodge in the small arteries that feed the fibroids and block the blood supply. Without this blood, the fibroids shrink and symptoms are often relieved."
"My symptoms improved within a month after having the procedure," says Nancy.
Unfortunately, her relief only lasted a year until her bleeding started again - and it continued for more than 60 days. "I had the top-of-the-line when it comes to uterine fibroids," comments Nancy. "They were built to last."
At that point, Nancy began to see Dr. DiGaetano who referred her to Dr. Shalit for evaluation. Dr. Shalit performed a hysteroscopy to remove the fibroid tissue that had grown inside Nancy's uterus. Nancy was very happy about her decision to have the surgery: "After the procedure, I only had two more periods; since then, I haven't had a problem."
The agony of endometriosis
"Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium (lining of the uterus) migrates and attaches itself to other parts of the body such as the ovaries, lining of the abdominal cavity, bladder and colon," says Thomas Kay, MD, chief of obstetrics for Virtua West Jersey Hospitals. These lesions can cause pelvic pain and cramping, painful intercourse, minor bleeding abnormalities and infertility. Some women, however, have no symptoms and don't discover that they have endometriosis until they are being treated for infertility.
"It's cause is unknown, but one theory suggests that it may be caused by retrograde menstruation, in which the menstrual tissue flows backward through the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to other organs," notes Dr. Kay.
Dr. Shalit adds: "Endometriosis often diagnosed through laparoscopy, in which a lighted scope is inserted into the abdomen through the navel. We often diagnose endometriosis and treat it at the same time by removing or destroying the lesions with lasers or electrocautery devices." Other treatment options include hormonal therapies such as oral contraceptives or other medications that create an artificial menopause. Women with severe pain who are past the childbearing years may consider hysterectomy.
New hysterectomy option
An exciting new procedure, laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, gives new hope. "In this minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, a surgical instrument called a tissue morcellator cuts up and removes the uterus through a tube inserted in the abdomen," says Dr. Shalit. "Most women experience pain reduction, a shorter recovery time and a quicker return to daily activity."