Also for the women

[valeriedl]

I want to have a histromay (probably spelled that one wrong)

I'm 33 and my gyno won't give me one till I'm in my later 30's.

I'm taking birthcontrol now, depoprovera, the shot. With that I don't have a period. Before my period I would have horrible cramps and other things so we decided that the shot would be the best.

I can't have kids, because of the epilepsy, and it wouldn't be safe for me or the baby, and I don't want any. Even though I am taking birthcontrol there is always that small chance that you could get pregant.

Have any of the other women have had to deal with anything like this and what did you do?

 

[CathyAnn31]

Time to find another gyn.

You're old enough to know if you want kids or not. I could understand the Drs hesitation if you were 22 or something.

Find another Dr who will support your wishes and reasons for doing so.

 

[Nakamova]

If you have a hysterectomy you will go through premature menopause, so be prepared if that's the route you want to take. If you are mostly worried about getting pregnant, you could try an IUD (which is better than the pill). Some IUDs have hormones as well, which might help. And you could also get your tubes tied.

 

[Jvere]

Yeah, there are better alternatives. Your doctor is right to not want to perform major surgery as a means of birth control. In fact, I would be leery of a doctor that went along with it.

And technically, you would only have the menopausal type issues if you removed the ovaries as well (called oophorectomy)... but again, there are so many alternatives. Hysterectomies are a last resort. Surgery itself, of any type, is always a last resort.

Like Nakamova suggested, ask about IUDs or a tubal ligation, which can be done laparoscopically.

 

[dfwtexas]

Usually insurance companies will not pay for a hysterectomy unless there is a medical reason. I had one at age 27 due to severe endormetosis. But I know I had to have two doctors sign off before my insurance company would pay for it.

 

[Endless]

While we girls are talking, anybody have an opinion on menapause and epilepsy? My doc says there is no research that says menapause increases or triggers seizures. Hummph. I think it does. What's your opinion?

 

[Nakamova]

My opinion is that your doc is a bozo. While it's true that there aren't as many studies as would be optimal, the connection between hormones and seizure disorders is well-established, and the fluctuating hormones of perimenopause and menopause can trigger seizures. For more info check out the link below:

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/women/wei/hormonesmenopause.cfm

 

[Cint]

While we girls are talking, anybody have an opinion on menapause and epilepsy? My doc says there is no research that says menapause increases or triggers seizures. Hummph. I think it does. What's your opinion?

I agree with Nakamova. Here is some more info from www.epilepsy.com:

Why are certain phases of the ovulatory cycle associated with an increase in seizures?

The hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle are the most likely cause of changes in seizure frequency. The brain contains numerous nerve cells that are directly affected by estrogen and progesterone, the main sex hormones in women. Studies in animals have shown that high doses of estrogen can cause or worsen seizures, whereas high doses of progesterone can act like an antiepileptic drug.

I went through an early menopause after my lobectomy at the age of 33. My ob/gyn kept telling me I was too young to be experiencing it, but my body was saying otherwise. Anyway, it messed with my hormonal system and my seizures didn't go away, they came back with vengeance. Twenty years later, I am still struggling with those darned seizures, although I have the VNS now.

 

[Endless]

Wow. Thanks, both of you. There needs to be more studies! Women's issues seem to be going to the back of the queue.

And yes, my doc is sometimes a bozo. Just because there haven't been formal studies doesn't mean something doesn't exist. It just hasn't been documented.

 

[valeriedl]

If you have a hysterectomy you will go through premature menopause, so be prepared if that's the route you want to take. If you are mostly worried about getting pregnant, you could try an IUD (which is better than the pill). Some IUDs have hormones as well, which might help. And you could also get your tubes tied.

Yea, my gyno was worried about me going through the premature menopause and all the additional medication that I may have to take because of it.

Thanks' everyone for the answers and suggestions!