Am I attached to my uterus??!!??

This is what my doctor asked me last week. I said very attached!!!

This is my dilema:

I have been going to my family doctor for my paps every year. Although I've always had tremendous pain with my periods and never made a big deal about it to my family dr. I had always heard how the women in my family discussed their painful periods, so I figured my pain was hereditary. I've never had heavy periods only painful periods. I've tried a few different prescribed pain medications and nothing works, if it does work it makes me sick to where I'm throwing up all day.

Last december I had my appendix removed and when I went for my post op the doctor who removed my appendix told me I had a lot of scarred tissue and to let my OB/GYN know. Well since I had only seen an OB during my last pregnancy, which was nearly 6 years prior, I decided to go back to the OB/GYN I had before.

I got an exam and vaginal ultrasound and he told me with all of my symptoms: painful periods, bleeding during intercourse and severe PMS I would need to have my Uterus removed because I had Adenomyosis. No fibroids or cyst or anything like that.

My concern was I had not seen this doctor in 6 years, he didn't have any records of my symptoms until last week and he wants to remove my uterus. I don't know what to do should I get a second opinion? Has anyone found an alternative treatment to the problems I'm having?

Can somebody Help??!!

Hi slick1975

It's always a good idea to get a second (or even third!) opinion. Even if you hear the same recommendation from another doctor, perhaps you'll receive more tests or a better explanation of why a hysterectomy is the best option for you.

When I was tested for adenomyosis several years ago, I was told that a hysterectomy was absolutely the only treatment for it--but that since a hysterectomy has risks, it would be up to me to determine whether I would rather live with the pain or with the risks of surgery. As it turned out, I did not have adenomyosis--but that was my experience at the time.

I would recommend scheduling an appointment with a second gynecologist. Meanwhile, you might want to keep a symptom journal so you have something in writing to share with the new doctor as you help him or her understand your experiences.

Thanks for the insight.

Keeping a journal is a wonderful idea. It's hard to remember all the symptoms and easier to forget once they're gone. I think I will get a second opinion, and soon!!

slik - request an MRI as well. Adenomyosis rarely shows up on an ultrasound, but is better found on an MRI. It is a difficult diagnosis to make without an MRI or conclusively, a hysterectomy and pathology report. Interesting that PMS is cited as a symptom, I neither had any nor have read/heard it given as a symptom.

Sounds like a second opinion is warrented. Also, I suggest going to the Mayo Clinic's webpage, they do the best job of discussing adenomyosis and not confusing it with endo.