When Treatments Lead to Complications: Your Options and New Techniques

Conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, cancer of the; uterus, cervix, or ovaries, and uterine prolapse are most of the time painful and uncomfortable. Over the years treatment for these conditions has focused on the removal of the affected tissue or area. Still, the type of treatment is best decided when the patient and their physician consider what works well for the patient’s life style and statistics such as; survival rates, complications, recovery, and fertility.

Surgeries and Assisting Tools

A hysterectomy is the removal of a woman’s uterus. It is a common procedure in the treatment of the conditions mentioned above. Generally this procedure is invasive and requires an abdominal incision.  However, a smaller amount of women are now undergoing laparoscopic procedures which are minimally invasive surgeries that are performed by creating only a few very small incision sites. This is a convenient alternative for women who cannot afford a long recovery time.

Another important procedure is a myomectomy, a technique used to remove uterine fibroids while leaving the uterus intact. This method of treatment can be done using either an invasive procedure or a laparoscopic tool. In addition to removing the fibroids embedded in the uterus, the surgeon must work to reconstruct the uterus.

Post-surgery it is important to help the body heal and prevent excessive scar tissue development. Too much scar tissue can become a painful experience and lead to further discomfort. Both Serrapeptase and Nattokinase are enzymes that have fibrinolytic activities that assist in the breakdown of fibrin and relieve inflammation by blocking chemical messages that trigger the inflammation cascade and any pain that may accompany it.

Proteases continue to assist the alleviation by breaking down cellular debris and toxins that could trigger increases in inflammation. Moreover, Nattokinase also works to break down scar tissue. These are all ideal for a speedy recovery and maintenance thereafter.

One tool used for these laparoscopic surgeries is the power morcellator. This device is relatively small in size comprised of rotating blades for large tissue breakdown. After the large tissue has been fragmented, it is then vacuumed out of the area and faster than normal recovery time generally follows.

Possible complications

Despite this type of tool being favored for many years, it has recently been a topic of concern for its few accompanying cases involving metastasis of cancerous cells that were left behind during these procedures. In most affected women, undetected cases of early stage cancer were in the area of focus during surgery. If any of the cancerous cells are left behind, they spread to other areas of the body turning the cancer from a very treatable stage into its deadliest stage.

While this resulting complication may be relatively low in occurrence, spreading of uterine cancer found in 1 out of 350 women, the concern is high.

New methods and Improvements

Finding solutions to serious complications such as these are highly important for both the patient and surgeon. It is both extremely stressful and frustrating to go in to treat one condition and come out to find another, much worse, has invaded your body. Hysteroscopy is one improvement to the laparoscopic technique also known as open morcellation.

The procedure of Hysteroscopy, closed morcellation, consists of fragmenting the tissue and collecting it into pouches. With mechanical maneuvering it facilitates the surgeon’s job by providing full control over the cutting and collecting of the tissues. Currently this alternative seems promising but, further studies must be continued to ensure there is no correlation between the technique and the spreading of cancerous cells.

With any procedure, following its protocols and guidelines will almost always yield the desired results. Hysteroscopy already is a step in the right direction, provided its benefit of decreasing the possibility of spreading cancerous tissue,. Additionally, any tissue collected in the tissue pouches can be used to complete further testing assisting in the detection of existing sarcoma cells.

Uterine Fibroids: 3 Small Changes that Could Make Dealing with Uterine Fibroids Easier

Women who have to deal with fibroids know that managing levels of the hormone estrogen and progesterone is very important. Most prescribed medication deals around this issue since it has been suggested fibroids growth may be linked to a high estrogen and progesterone setting. As they grow the symptoms that accompany them are more pronounced. Pain, heavy bleeding, and inflammation are common results of these and can possibly lead to other underlining issues. However, most women with uterine fibroids do not experience any symptoms. It is likely for women who do have heavy or in between period bleeding, to develop an iron deficiency. While in others fibroids may cause a very painful period but, in some cases this pain could also be a result of endometriosis. When tissue that lines the uterus grows in other areas it is known as Endometriosis, this tissue breaks down and causes bleeding during menstruation. Following the tissue breakdown scar tissue develops in the areas it has grown in, this leading to a painful period.

What can I do to manage my fibroids?

Birth control is a method of treatment that has been used to manage the hormones estrogen and progesterone thought to be involved in the growth of fibroids. It has also been effective in keeping the menstruation cycle on a schedule and in decreasing bleeding during periods. When periods are heavy it can lead to anemia, lethargy, chest pain etc. Another hormone management alternative is hormone therapy. It also helps control hormone levels but can have multiple side effects after continuous use making the treatment useful for only a few months at a time. These symptoms include; bone loss, some experience dryness of the vaginal area, and menopause like symptoms.

Studies have been focused on finding a reason for the development of fibroids, managing the symptoms and curing the condition, have actually provided findings that could delay the growth of fibroids and alleviate the symptoms that come with it.  A cure or reason for fibroids has not been found but, research has found correlations between exercise, diet, and supplementation and fibroids.

How can caring for your body help you manage fibroids and their symptoms?

Aside from the current medication and treatments, women who suffer from fibroids have more control than they know in assisting these treatments to further enhance their effects. Diets can be managed, eating and avoiding certain foods can contribute to factors that increase or decrease fibroids growth. While exercise, has been shown to decrease the chances of developing fibroids and decreasing their size.

Specific foods can harm your body as we all know. But, when you have conditions such as uterine fibroids what you decide to eat can really affect your progression. Effects in estrogen levels have been suggested to be linked to certain foods. Below are a few examples of what has been recommended to avoid in your diet to further assist in the treatment and preventive care of fibroids.

Foods to Avoid in your Diet	Foods to Add to your Diet
Alcohol	Low fat milk
Artificial sweeteners	Vitamins
Animal fats	Iron
Cream and butter	Serrapeptase
Ice cream and Chocolate	Increase vegetable intake

Avoid heating your food in plastic containers as it can leak into the food. This has been proposed to have an effect on estrogen levels.

Supplementation/Natural Alternatives

Increasing your daily activities can help keep you healthy and fit. Loosing excess fat is important since it can increase estrogen levels. Making easy changes to your daily routine like walking to the market or taking a 30 minute walk after dinner can really make a difference to your overall health.

With a constant bleeding, iron levels can get very low and it is important to implement it in our diets. Whether it is through supplementation or our food, it must be maintained to avoid developing anemia. Your doctor can guide you through this to avoid or manage anemia.

Natural supplementation such as enzymes can assist breaking down the fibrin found in fibroids. Fibrin buildup contributes to the growth of fibroids and does not allow cells that have become damaged to repair themselves. Studies have shown that the enzyme Serrapeptase has fibrinolytic activity, breaking down fibrin and assisting in the decrease of inflammation. Some of the benefits of the breakdown of fibrin include; decreasing swelling, the feeling of pain, the size of fibroids, and tissues are allowed properly regenerate. Another assisting enzyme is Nattokinase which also has fibrinolytic activity.

When looking for a natural supplement, including these other ingredients could help with uterine fibroid symptoms and fibrin breakdown.

Bromelain	Proteolytic enzyme; anti-inflammatory benefits
Papain	Proteolytic enzyme; found in papaya
Proteases	Protein breakdown into polypeptides and amino acids, assists in elimination of fibrin
Rutin	Antioxidant bioflavonoid; may assist in suppressing growth of uterine leiomyoma cells
Amla	Antioxidant and good source of vitamin C suggested to increase metabolic activity

Amla Fruit

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy

Women with uterine fibroids are often concerned about their ability to conceive. Although uterine fibroids are benign tumors, they have the potential to negatively affect pregnancy. The growth of tumors is affected as estrogen levels are elevated. This is why some tumors expand during pregnancy when hormone levels spike. A fibroid can cause infertility by blocking the entrance to the fallopian tubes preventing sperm from implanting into the egg (ovum). Even if the egg is fertilized, submucosal fibroids can prevent implantation and further growth of the embryo. Large fibroids may block the birth canal resulting in a cesarean section. Women with several growing fibroids during pregnancy may indirectly limit the growth of the baby.  In some cases, uterine fibroids have been linked to miscarriage, premature birth, and postpartum hemorrhage. Complications from uterine fibroids can vary greatly.

When planning a pregnancy with uterine fibroids, be sure to weigh all benefits and risks. Most women do not require surgery to remove cysts before getting pregnant. Pre-pregnancy fibroid removal is only encouraged when the tumors are large enough in size to impede the baby’s growth; or if the predicted loss of blood or hemorrhage is high. If surgery is necessary, give your body ample time to recover before trying to conceive. A uterine myomectomy is a surgical procedure which removes fibroids while preserving a woman’s reproductive capabilities. Uterine Fibroid Embolism is a newer, less invasive procedure, where the doctors enter the uterus through small incisions in the stomach and uses a small device to block blood vessels leading to the fibroid. With the blood supply to the fibroid blocked, it slowly deteriorates and removes itself from the wall of the uterus. The recovery period for a regular myomectomy is four to six weeks, where a uterine fibroid embolism only requires a one to two week recovery period. The uterus needs to fully heal before carrying something as precious and delicate as a child. Remember most women do not require fibroid removal to conceive and carry a child to full-term.

The good news is most fibroids have little to no effect on the pregnancy. The most common complication resulting from uterine fibroids is a cesarean delivery. Common symptoms of uterine fibroids during pregnancy include constipation, abdominal cramping, pelvic pressure, and frequent urination. The majority of fibroids that grow during pregnancy shrink after giving birth because hormone levels decrease. As long as the fibroids are not extremely large or directly blocking vital areas of the uterus, many doctors suggest going on with your pregnancy as normal. Doctors assess the severity of each case individually to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Uterine fibroids are easily monitored during a pregnancy through periodic ultrasound appointments.

Many doctors advise their patients to steer clear of over dramatic views on uterine fibroids. Ultimately, doctors know what is best for each woman under her individual circumstances. As long as the fibroids are monitored on a regular basis and all precautions are taken, there is no reason why you can’t have a successful pregnancy with uterine fibroids.

Top 7 Factors Affecting Your Fertility

Women’s infertility is an increasingly important topic in today’s society. Each year the average age of women giving birth rises, shedding light on the fact that women are getting settled in their careers before starting a family. Not to mention the modern day woman has to deal with an incredible amount of stressors that affect her ability to conceive.

Uterine Fibroid Treatment: Then & Now

Uterine fibroids were discovered somewhere around 460-375 B.C. (in the Hippocrates period). Back then, uterine fibroids were known as “uterine stones,” due to their tough outer shell. An ancient Greek physician named Galen called the masses “scleromas” during the 2nd century, until German physicians introduced the word “fibroid” in the 1860’s. Virchow, a German pathologist, who confirmed that uterine fibroids are composed of smooth muscle cells, discovered the composition of fibroids in 1854.

Ancient Treatments for Uterine Fibroids
In 1809, the first myomectomy was performed on a uterine fibroid. This procedure was actually done on Abraham Lincoln’s cousin, a 56 year-old woman whose fibroids had grown so large; she looked as though she was pregnant with twins. The woman was originally treated with laxatives, enemas and phytotherapy. These therapies obviously did not work because her abdominal distention was due to the fibroids, and not simply bloating. A myomectomy was eventually performed and the uterine fibroid was removed – this is known to be the first surgery for uterine fibroid removal.

Uterine Fibroids

Also known as uterine leiomyomas, uterine fibroids occur in 50-75% of women. Fibroids are benign tumors that are composed of smooth muscle cells, bundled tightly by fibrous connective tissue. Based on their location, there are four types of uterine fibroids:

Intramural fibroids: The most common type, found within the uterine wall. Unless they are large, these fibroids usually do not cause symptoms – however, their expansion is capable of distorting and elongating the uterine cavity.

Subserosal fibroids: Located underneath the mucosal lining of the uterus, these fibroids can become very large. Detachment of subserosal fibroids is possible, where they become parasitic leiomyomas.

Submucosal fibroids: Located in the muscle, beneath the endometrium, fibroids in this location usually cause symptoms like bleeding and infertility.

Cervical fibroids: Located in the cervix

Fibroids vary greatly in size, and symptoms usually depend more upon the location of the fibroid than the size of the fibroid. Clinically significant symptoms include: