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01960.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK01960}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Fibroid Removal and Increased Fertility}
$Subject{Fibroid fibroids remove removed Removal increase Increased increasing
fertile Fertility operation operations pregnant pregnancy surgery surgeries
leiomyoma muscle muscles tumor tumors benign uterus conception interfere
infertile infertility woman women female females sonography sound wave waves
hysteroscope cervix vagina abdomen uterus}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System*0006101.scf
Diseases of the Female Reproductive System*0009001.scf}
Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Fibroid Removal and Increased Fertility
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QUESTION: A long search seems to be nearing its end. After years of trying
to have a baby, we finally have an answer to the cause of our problems. The
latest doctor (in a series of 4) says my problem is something called a
"leeomyoma" or something close. He says it is a simple operation to have and
the chances for a pregnancy will be greatly improved. My mother urges caution
about anything that means surgery. Can you offer an opinion on this? I wish
I could give you all the information you need, but I hope this is enough.
Please answer. Thank you so very much.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Close enough, and informative enough to give you an opinion. The
"leiomyoma" ("leio" means "smooth", "my" for "muscle", "oma" a "tumor")
translates into a smooth muscle tumor, or as you may more readily recognize a
fibroid. These tumors are benign muscle tumors of the uterus (which is formed
of smooth muscle), and quite common in older women, for they are found in
about 20 percent of all women over the age of 40. Not that 40 makes you old.
However, when they do occur during the child bearing years, they can and do
interfere with conception. Though it is unclear just how this occurs, it has
been shown that the pregnancy rate of infertile women with fibroids rises to
50 percent after they are removed.
New improvements in sonography, the use of sound waves to create images,
has made the detection and mapping of uterine fibroids easier than ever,
matching the developments in surgical techniques that are now used to remove
them. It may only require the use of a telescope-like instrument
(hysteroscope), and specially designed instruments through the vagina and
cervix into the inside of the uterus, to remove the offending tumor.
"Operation" does not necessarily mean an open incision in your abdomen, and
you should discuss the proposed procedure more fully with your physician.
Only when you completely understand the operation, and the need for it, as
well as the chances of pregnancy that may result from the procedure, can you
make the decision for yourself. My opinion, a bit like your mother's, must
take second place to your own informed decision, but from what I have read in
the medical literature, your physician is providing you with excellent advice.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.