Hysterectomy used to be a much more common
treatment for endometriosisthan it is today. However, it may still be necessary when other avenues of treatment have failed. Many times, physicians will also recommend removal of both ovaries (bilateral oopherectomy) at the time of
hysterectomy because some studies suggest this results in greater long- term pain relief.
If you spend any time with women who have this disease, you realize what a difficult decision this is. I've heard positive
hysterectomy stories as well as negative ones. At our most recent meeting, one member told me she felt that having a
hysterectomy was the only way she could get her life back. Another member had a different opinion and felt she had traded one set of problems for another. Unfortunately, there are no right or wrong answers with
endometriosis treatment, only difficult decisions.
Having a hysterectomy is often very emotional because women may view it as a loss -- not only of reproductive organs, but also as loss of control over our bodies and this disease. Even after definitive surgery, many women still have health- related issues to contend with, the most significant of which is hormone replacement decisions. There is a theory among some
endometriosis specialists that hormone replacement should be delayed for a time following hysterectomy and removal of ovaries to allow the
endometriosis lesions to "die out."
Treatment for endometriosis by traditional Chinese medicine often is that to use compound prescription with various herbs. In the recipe, herbs of following function are necessary:
· Treating fibrosis and hyperplsia, to resolve the lesion
· Promoting blood circulation and dissolve statis, to resolve the lesion and help the body recover
· Clearing away heat and toxic material, to help discharge resolved abnormal tissue
· Elimianting inflammation, to deal with PID
· Promoting Qi and release pain, to diminish pain
Diuretic herbs can also be composed in the recipe for the patients with urinate problems.
Keywords: hysterectomy ; endometriosis ; Treatment for endometriosis
