Endometriosis

Endometriosis

A common reproductive problem affecting millions of women worldwide, endometriosis can make your periods extremely painful as well as interfere with your ability to become pregnant. However, treatment is available and pregnancy is possible, although it may require a bit of extra help.

What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition whereby uterine lining tissue grows on the ovaries or in the abdominal or pelvic cavity of a woman’s body. Endometriosis, also referred to as "endo," has no definitive cause but is thought to be an inherited disease. Current research has speculated on the role of irregular menstruation, genes, estrogen, the immune system and environmental chemicals as possible causes of endometriosis. Endometriosis afflicts about one in 10 American women.

Normally during a women’s menstrual cycle, hormones signal the growth of uterine lining to prepare for a possible pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, this lining is shed and expelled from the body with your period. In endometriosis, though, uterine tissue grows in other areas like the pelvic cavity, abdomen and ovaries. When it comes time for the tissue to shed, tissue that has migrated has no way of leaving the body. As a result, accumulated blood is trapped in these areas and creates adhesions and scarring.

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis
The symptoms of endometriosis include severe pain and cramps in the intestines and pelvic area, pain with bowel movements and urination, heavy periods, pain during sex, and infertility. Endometriosis can range from a mild condition to a severe disorder. Some women may not realize they have the disorder but may have massive growth of lesions in their abdomen or pelvic areas. Many women do not find out they have the disease until they try to become pregnant and experience problems. Untreated, endometriosis can hinder fertility.

Can Endometriosis Lead to Infertility?
Because of the lesions or implants that may grow in the fallopian tubes, conception may be prevented from occurring, resulting in infertility. When an egg moves from the ovary down the fallopian tube to the uterus to be fertilized, it may be blocked by the scar tissue from the disease. About 30% to 40% of women with endometriosis are infertile. However, many women with mild endometriosis are able to conceive.

According to the Endometriosis Institute of Los Angeles, a woman diagnosed with endometriosis following medical and surgical treatment has a 72% chance of becoming pregnant. Without treatment, she has a 9% chance for a successful pregnancy. Women who develop the condition and would like to have children are often advised to become pregnant as soon as possible since endometriosis tends to worsen over time.

Diagnosis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis can be detected by ultrasound, blood test or a through a procedure called laparoscopy.

Ultrasound
A doctor may choose to use the ultrasound method to check for endometriosis. She may perform a vaginal or abdominal ultrasound that uses sound waves to check for any adhesions or scarring. For a vaginal ultrasound, the doctor will insert a small wand inside your vagina that scans for abnormal tissue. An abdominal ultrasound is when the scanner is moved across your stomach to look inside your pelvis.

Blood Test
A blood test may be conducted to check for a special protein, CA-125, that is often found in the blood of women with this condition.

Laparoscopy
After you are put under an aesthetic, the doctor will make a small incision in your abdomen and insert a laparoscope where she can more closely identify any signs of endometriosis in your pelvic and abdominal cavity. A laparoscope is a telescopic tube with a camera attached that sends back video images to a screen. When necessary, laparoscopy can also be used to treat endometriosis.

Treatment of Endometriosis

The treatment options for endometriosis include pain relievers, hormonal replacement therapy and surgery. Which is best for your will depend on whether or not you would like to preserve your fertility.

Pain Relievers
Some women diagnosed with endometriosis may be prescribed pain relievers for their chronic pain and cramps. However, if pain relievers do not provide adequate relief, you may need to turn to another treatment.

Hormonal Replacement Therapy
Since hormones place a central role in activating endometriosis, hormone therapy is a common method use to treat endometriosis. Different kinds of hormonal drugs can be used to help with endometriosis and include:

• Birth control pills
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH)
• Danocrine
• Depo-Provera

Birth control pills prevent you from becoming pregnant and also control the hormones that build up the endometrium in the uterus. The other hormonal drugs listed will stop menstruation and relieve the endometriosis symptoms but many have negative side effects, such as: hot flashes, acne and facial hair, weight gain, depression and bone loss.

Women who are looking to conceive, though, may not find hormone replacement therapy to be very useful, as this treatment typical prevents you from menstruating and therefore hinders pregnancy.

Surgery: Conservative or Hysterectomy?

Surgery can be an effective way of treating endometriosis. However, it can also have permanent affects on your fertility.

Conservative Surgery
Women with endometriosis who are trying to become pregnant may elect for conservative surgery to remove abnormal growths and adhesions. To perform this surgery a doctor may use a laparoscope and eliminate growths with a laser. Otherwise she could perform a traditional abdominal surgery for more invasive adhesions. While this treatment can be helpful and does preserve your fertility, it does not permanently get rid of the growths.

Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is involves removing your uterus and may also include the removal of your ovaries, fallopian tubes and/or cervix. This procedure will provide permanent relief from the pain of endometriosis, but will cause you to be completely infertile. Hysterectomy is only used in the most severe cases of endometriosis.

Alternative Treatments
Chinese medicine recommends the use of herbal remedies and acupuncture to treat endometriosis. Herbal remedies rely on the therapeutic qualities of plants and flowers to help restore balance to the body. Chinese acupuncture practitioners believe that irregular menstrual flow, PMS and heavy bleeding are all due to blockage of natural energy flow or "chi" in the body. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help restore the body’s natural harmony. After a thorough evaluation, an acupuncture treatment may last for about an hour and subsequent treatments can continue anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the patient’s specific needs.

Infertility Treatments
Many women with this condition are able to conceive within a longer time period. If medication, hormone treatments or surgery do not allow a woman to conceive, she may seek out infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). Recent studies have shown that if a woman with endometriosis is given certain hormone replacement drugs for up to six months before receiving IVF, they have a better pregnancy success rate.

If you have endometriosis and would like to get pregnant, discuss your plans with your doctor so you can decide upon the correct treatment for you.

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is the name given to that sticky mucus that is produced by your vagina. It is secreted by mucus-producing glands that are located throughout your cervix and vagina. As you have probably already noticed, vaginal discharge can vary in its appearance: sometimes it appears thin and sticky while at other times it can be thick and gooey. Typically odorless, vaginal discharge can be clear, white, or opaque in color. Most women begin producing vaginal discharge during puberty and will continue to produce about 4 milliliters of discharge every day for the rest of their lives.

Why Do Women Have Vaginal Discharge?
Though it may not seem necessary, vaginal discharge plays an essential role in helping your body maintain its reproductive system. Vaginal discharge helps to:

• Balance Bacteria: Your vagina contains millions of bacteria, some of which are healthy and some of which are unhealthy. In order for you vagina to stay in tip-top shape, it needs to maintain the appropriate balance between these healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Vaginal discharge helps to sweep out excess bacteria and skin cells, allowing your vagina to maintain this balance, fight off infections, and remain healthy.
• Lubricate the Vagina: Vaginal discharge serves as a natural lubricant to facilitate sexual intercourse. Without vaginal discharge, sexual intercourse would be painful and difficult, due to vaginal dryness. This is why you will notice that your vagina produces excess vaginal discharge when you become sexually aroused.

Healthy Changes in Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge can change in appearance from week to week, and month to month. Some of the more common changes occur:

During Ovulation:
During ovulation, your vaginal and cervical mucus becomes thin, clear, and sticky. If you stretch this discharge between your fingers, you will notice that it can stretch quite easily without breaking. In fact, you can even use this change in your cervical mucus to help monitor your monthly cycles as well as identify when in your cycle you are fertile.

After Menstruation:
After menstruation, your vaginal discharge may become quite thick and gooey in texture. It may also appear increasingly white in color. This occurs because of a change in the amount of estrogen your body is producing.

During Pregnancy:
Many women notice a significant change in the amount of vaginal discharge that their bodies produce during pregnancy. This is due to the increased estrogen and blood flow that your body needs during pregnancy. As your due date approaches, you may notice that your body produces even more vaginal discharge. These extra secretions will help facilitate your baby’s move down the birth canal. You may also notice that your discharge becomes increasingly thin and runny towards end of your pregnancy. This is usually a sign that the mucus plug covering your cervix is beginning to dislodge, and labor isn’t far away!

Unhealthy Changes in Vaginal Discharge
Sometimes, the discharge produced by your vagina can change significantly in color, texture, or odor because of an ongoing infection. If you notice that your vaginal discharge is an odd color, resembles pus, or smells bad, it may be a sign that you are experiencing a bacterial or yeast infection, or that you have caught an STD. Some of the most common infections that cause changes in vaginal discharge include:

Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are one of the most common types of infections affecting women. In fact, most women will experience at least one yeast infection in her lifetime. Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of a fungus (known as candida albicans) in the vagina. It is important to get your yeast infection treated properly in order to prevent ongoing or chronic infection. During a yeast infection you may notice that your vaginal discharge:

• is white or opaque in color
• has a clumpy texture (many women say that it resembles cottage cheese)
• smells like bread or yeast

Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is one of the most common STDs in the United States. It is generally contracted after unprotected sex with an infected person. Trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny parasite, which infects the urinary tract. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage to your reproductive tract. If you have trichomoniasis your vaginal discharge may:

• have a frothy appearance
• look green or yellow in color
• have a stale or musty smell

Keeping Your Vagina Healthy
There are some things that you can do to ensure that your vagina and reproductive tract stay healthy, and that your vaginal discharge remains normal.

• Avoid Douching: Douching actually increases your risk of experiencing unhealthy changes in your vaginal discharge. This is because chemicals in douching products change the bacteria levels inside of the vagina and can move dangerous bacteria up into the uterus, causing an infection.
• Wipe from Front to Back: Always wipe from front to back after using the washroom. This will keep bacteria from your rectum out of your vagina.
• Don’t Wear Tight Clothes: Avoid wearing tight pants or nylons. These will trap moisture around your vagina, allowing bacteria and yeast to multiply.
• Wear Cotton Underwear: Cotton underwear is cooler and more absorbent that nylon underwear.
• Use Panty Liners: Panty liners can help to absorb excess vaginal discharge. Avoid using tampons during pregnancy or when you aren’t menstruating.
• Monitor Your Discharge: Keep an eye on your vaginal discharge from day to day. If you notice any odd changes, or are experiencing any pain, vaginal itching, or other unusual symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Have you been noticing ongoing pain in your pelvic region? Do you experience aching pains or cramps? Has this pain lasted for months on end? If you have been suffering symptoms similar to these then you may be suffering from an extremely common condition known as Chronic Pelvic Pain. Chronic pelvic pain affects millions of women every year and can sometimes be quite debilitating, interfering with work and social activities. Unfortunately, the condition can be difficult to diagnose and it can take time to find suitable treatment. However, with appropriate testing, your health care provider can help to relieve your symptoms of chronic pelvic pain.

What is Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP)?
Chronic pelvic pain is the term given to describe any type of pelvic pain that lasts six months or longer. This pain can be ongoing or intermittent, but it usually affects daily lifestyle routines, mood, and even family relationships. CPP currently affects more than 15% of all women in the United States. Unfortunately, the condition is very difficult to diagnose: more than 61% of women suffering from CPP never find out what is causing their pain.

Who Gets Chronic Pelvic Pain?
Chronic pelvic pain is quite common in the United States, and frequently affects women between the ages of 18 and 50. However, certain women do appear to be more at risk for developing the condition. Risk factors include:

• being between the ages of 26 and 30
• being African American
• having undergone previous pelvic surgery
• having previous pelvic or reproductive infection

What are the Symptoms of Chronic Pelvic Pain?
The main symptom of CPP is pelvic pain lasting for at least six months. This pain may be:

• intermittent or ongoing
• mild or severe
• sharp or dull

Additional symptoms include:

• heaviness or pressure in the pelvic region
• pain during intercourse
• pain during bowel movements

What Causes Chronic Pelvic Pain?
CPP can be the result of a variety of pelvic conditions, or it can be a condition unto itself. Common causes include:

• Endometriosis: Endometriosis causes the build-up of uterine tissues throughout the pelvis. These tissues shed during menstruation but remain inside the body, causing pain.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: This infection of the uterus can cause scarring of the fallopian tubes and ovaries, leading to severe pelvic pain.
• Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are growths that form on the uterus. These can cause aching sensations or pain when they twist or press upon other pelvic organs.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that can cause severe and ongoing pelvic pain.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome can lead to diarrhea, constipation, and other symptoms that may interfere with the pelvic organs.

Diagnosing Chronic Pelvic Pain
Diagnosing CPP can be a very complicated task. Diagnosis will look to rule out certain disorders in an attempt to find the cause of your pain. Your health care provider will likely begin by asking you to describe your pain and its location. You may also be asked to provide detailed information about your reproductive history, including any STDs or infections that you may have had. Your health care provider will also perform a pelvic exam in order to identify any signs of infection or to locate tender areas. Specific tests may also be performed including:

• abdominal x-rays
• pelvic ultrasound
• blood tests
• vaginal and cervical cultures
• laparoscopic surgery

Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain
CPP treatment usually depends upon the root cause of the disorder. Depending upon the cause of your pelvic pain, your treatment may include:

• Pain Relievers: Pain management medications, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, will help to minimize cramps and ongoing abdominal pain.
• Trigger Point Injections: Abdominal trigger point injections can help to numb painful areas in the pelvic region.
• Hormone Treatment: CPP is sometimes associated with the menstrual cycle. In these cases hormonal treatment to control ovulation and menstruation may help to relieve pain. The birth control pill is usually an effective treatment.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy, including strengthening exercises and the use of heat and cold therapy can help to relieve minor pain.
• Surgery: Surgery, including hysterectomy, may be required to rectify pelvic abnormalities that may be causing CPP.

Pelvic Prolapse

Pelvic Prolapse

If you have just given birth to a child or if you are entering into menopause, you may have noticed slight changes in your pelvic organs. In particular, you may notice that you are having trouble urinating properly or, you may be finding that sexual intercourse is quite uncomfortable, possibly even painful. If you are plagued by any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from a common pelvic problem, known as pelvic prolapse. Affecting up to one-third of all women, pelvic prolapse can be an embarrassing problem, however, there are now a number of effective treatment options available.

What is Pelvic Prolapse?

Pelvic prolapse occurs when the muscles inside of your pelvis begin to weaken. These muscles, often known as the "pelvic floor," provide support to various pelvic organs, including your vagina, uterus, bladder, and bowel. When these muscles weaken, they begin to lose their ability to support these organs, causing the organs to shift and press against one another.

Types of Pelvic Prolapse
There are actually a number of different types of pelvic organ prolapse.

• Cystocele: A cystocele occurs when the muscles in front of the vagina become weakened, allowing the bladder to push into the vagina.
• Rectocele and Enterocele: These prolapses occur when the muscles behind the vagina become weakened or damaged. When the rectum pushes into the vagina, it is known as a rectocele; when other areas of the bowel push into the vagina, it is known as an enterocele.
• Uterine Prolapse: A uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus and cervix descend from above and push down on the vagina.
• Vaginal Vault Prolapse: A vaginal vault prolapse occurs when the vagina begins to push on the pelvic muscles.

What Causes Pelvic Prolapse?
Pelvic prolapse is the direct result of weakened pelvic floor muscles. These muscles can become weakened for a number of reasons, including:

• age
• hormonal fluctuations (such as those occurring during menopause)
• vaginal child birth
• hysterectomy and other types of pelvic surgery

Who’s At Risk for Pelvic Prolapse?
Though any woman can develop pelvic prolapse, certain women are at increased risk for the condition. Risk factors include:

• being overweight (because excess weight adds stress to the pelvic floor muscles)
• smoking (smoking causes chronic coughing which can stress the pelvic muscles)
• having one or more vaginal deliveries
• entering into menopause (the hormonal changes of menopause weaken the pelvic floor muscles)

What are the Symptoms of Pelvic Prolapse?
Typically, pelvic prolapse is accompanied by a variety of symptoms. However, many women do experience mild prolapses without even being aware of it. Symptoms often include:

• pain during sexual intercourse
• difficulty emptying your bladder
• chronic constipation or difficulty finishing a bowel movement
• back pain
• tissue bulging through the vagina
• sensation that you are sitting on something

Complications of Pelvic Prolapse
If you are experiencing symptoms of pelvic prolapse, it is important to address the problem as soon as possible. If left untreated, pelvic prolapse can worsen, leading to several health complications, including:

• stretching of the bladder (due to failed emptying)
• kidney damage
• vaginal or uterine infection

Treating Pelvic Prolapse
There are a number of different ways to treat pelvic prolapse. Depending upon the type of prolapse you have and its severity, particular treatments may be more effective for you.

Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are recommended for women with mild pelvic prolapse. These exercises can help to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and prevent any further prolapse of your pelvic organs. Kegel exercises are simple to perform, requiring no equipment and little time and effort. All you have to do is squeeze your pelvic muscles, as if you were trying to stop your flow of urine. When performed daily for at least six months, kegel exercises have been shown to effectively reduce the severity of most types of pelvic prolapse.

Pessaries
Women who have mild to moderate pelvic prolapse may find pessaries helpful when it comes to managing their symptoms. Pessaries are an excellent treatment alternative when surgery is undesired. They work from within to support the uterus and other pelvic organs. They are made out of silicone and look much like a diaphragm. Pessaries need to be fitted by your health care provider, but you can insert and remove them in the comfort of you own home. Pessaries can last for up to five months, and help to relieve symptoms of pain and urinary incontinence. However, regular use of a pessary can increase your risk of infection.

Surgery
Surgery is often required to treat more serious types of pelvic prolapse. Surgery aims to return the shifted organ to its proper place as well as reinforce the pelvic floor. Surgery often involves anchoring the pelvic muscles by stitching them into place. It may also involve reinforcing stretched muscles with sutures or staples. Surgery can be performed abdominally, via laparoscopy (through small incisions in the pelvic region), or vaginally. When performed correctly, surgery can be up to 90% effective at curing pelvic prolapse.

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian Cysts

It is important that every woman take charge of her reproductive health. Regular gynecological and pelvic exams can be very helpful in ensuring that your reproductive organs are working properly and that you are not suffering from any reproductive diseases. In particular, these examinations can help to determine if you are suffering from ovarian cysts. An extremely common problem for women of childbearing age, ovarian cysts are typically nothing to worry about. However, some ovarian cysts can cause a number of worrisome health complications, including pelvic pain and infertility.

What are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form within the ovaries or which grow on the outer surface of the ovaries. They are an extremely common problem amongst women who are under the age of 40. In fact, most women develop at least one ovarian cyst at some point in their lives. Ovarian cysts typically go away by themselves, without any type of treatment. However, some ovarian cysts grow to be large in size and require medical treatment.

Types of Ovarian Cysts
There are actually a number of different types of ovarian cysts.

• Follicular Cysts: Follicular cysts are the most common type of cysts. They form during the ovulation process. In order to ovulate, follicles in your ovaries break open to release individual eggs. Follicular cysts form when these follicles do not break open to release an egg. Instead, the follicles continue to grow, trapping liquid inside. Follicular cysts typically cause no symptoms and disappear within a couple of months.
• Corpus Luteum Cysts: Corpus luteum cysts are also fairly common in women under the age of 40. These cysts form just after ovulation occurs. Instead of disintegrating in the ovaries, the corpus luteum traps fluid inside of its walls, creating a cyst. These cysts can grow to large sizes and are sometimes quite painful.
• Endometriomas: Endometriomas form in women who are suffering from endometriosis. These cysts are created when tissue from the uterine lining attaches to the ovaries, forming a growth. These endometriomas can be quite painful during sexual intercourse.
• Cystadenomas: Cystadenomas form on the outer surface of the ovaries. They can grow to large sizes and are typically filled with a watery or gel-like substance.
• Dermoid Cysts: Dermoid cysts are relatively uncommon. They are formed of ovarian cells that are responsible for growing hair and teeth. These Dermoid cysts can become large and painful.
• Polycystic Ovaries: Polycystic ovaries develop when numerous follicular cysts develop inside the ovaries. Known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, these cysts can interfere with ovulation and menstruation, causing infertility.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts
Most women who have ovarian cysts have no symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms often confuse their symptoms with those caused by endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or other reproductive health issues. Ovarian cyst symptoms include:

• pelvic and abdominal pain
• feelings of fullness or pressure in the abdomen
• irregular menstruation
• painful periods
• painful sexual intercourse
• difficulty urinating

Complications Associated with Ovarian Cysts
The vast majority of ovarian cysts are harmless, and will go away in time. However, large or painful cysts may signal serious health complications. Ruptured ovarian cysts, as well as those that twist or bleed, can cause severe abdominal pain. Ovarian cysts can also cause irregular periods and ovulation, making conception difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, ovarian cysts are have been linked with ovarian cancer, particularly in women over the age of 50.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be caused by ovarian cysts, you are encouraged to visit your health care provider. Seek immediate medical care if you experience:

• sudden or severe abdominal pain
• fever and vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain

Diagnosing Ovarian Cysts
The majority of ovarian cysts are diagnosed during routine pelvic examinations. As your health care provider palpates your abdomen, she will be able to feel any cysts growing on your ovaries. Ultrasound is also used in order to diagnose ovarian cysts. Ultrasound helps to create pictures of the ovarian cysts, allowing your health care provider to determine their size, shape, and type. CAT scans and MRIs are also used to diagnose ovarian cysts.

Treatment for Ovarian Cysts
Most ovarian cysts do not require any sort of treatment; they typically shrink and disappear on their own. For this reason, many health care professionals will simply monitor you for a few months before undertaking treatment options. Your health care provider will watch for any change in the size of your cyst, and will also monitor your symptoms.

Women who have large, painful ovarian cysts will likely receive more immediate treatment. The birth control pill is often used to control ovulation and prevent the growth of more follicular or corpus luteum cysts. Surgery is also an option for women who are suffering from large, painful cysts, or who have cysts that are cancerous.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine Fibroids

Many women experience complications with their reproductive system. Whether it’s irregular periods, problems with ovulation, or endometriosis, most women will face some reproductive obstacles at one point or another. Uterine fibroids are one of the most common types of reproductive complications. Affecting between 50% and 80% of women, these uterine growths can cause symptoms of pain, bleeding, and pelvic pressure. Though most fibroids are typically harmless, some fibroids can grow to large sizes, interfering with conception or pregnancy.

What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomomas, are tumors that grow inside your uterus. These tumors are made up of tissue cells from your uterus, and can range in size from just a few centimeters to more than 8 inches in length. Uterine fibroids tend to grow in clusters, and can form inside the uterus, within the uterine tissue, or outside the uterus. The vast majority of uterine fibroids are benign tumors, and thus are not a cancer risk.

Types of Uterine Fibroids
There are actually several different types of uterine fibroids. These fibroids are classified according to where they grow in your uterus.

• Intramural Fibroids: Intramural fibroids are the most common type of fibroids. They grow inside the muscular wall of the uterus.
• Subserosal Fibroids: Subserosal fibroids grow on the outside portion of your uterus. These fibroid tumors grow on long stalks that extend from the uterus. This means that subserosal fibroids can grow to large sizes and easily push against other organs and tissues.
• Submucosal Fibroids: Submucosal fibroids grow on the inside layer of the uterus. They can distort the shape and size of the uterus, making pregnancy difficult. These fibroids are rare however, accounting for only 5% of all cases.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids remain a mystery to researchers and health professionals. No one is really sure why they grow or why some women are more prone to them than others. Uterine fibroids may be caused by a hormonal shift, such as that occurring in pregnancy or when using certain medications. Fibroids may also be triggered by overactive hormone glands in your body.

Who Gets Uterine Fibroids?
Most women actually have at least one uterine fibroid inside their uterus. Most of the time these fibroids are small and symptomless, so you may not even realize that you have them. However, some women are more prone to uterine fibroids, including:

• women who have a previous history of uterine fibroids
• women who have hormonal imbalances
• women who are pregnant

Uterine fibroids do become problematic for some women. In fact, about 20% of uterine fibroid cases are severe enough to cause unpleasant symptoms.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Typically, uterine fibroids are small and cause no recognizable symptoms. However, sometimes fibroids can grow to large sizes and begin to cause discomfort. Common symptoms of fibroid tumors include:

• bloating
• pelvic pressure
• leg pain
• backaches
• unusually heavy or long menstrual periods
• severe menstrual cramps
• abdominal pain

Complications of Uterine Fibroids
Though rare, uterine fibroids that have grown to large sizes or in sizeable clusters can cause health complications:

Pregnancy
Uterine fibroids can sometimes interfere with a healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy, uterine fibroids tend to grow to large sizes as they are triggered by your body’s increase in hormones. This can compromise the shape of your uterus and limit the amount of space that your baby has to grow. As a result, miscarriage or fetal malpresentations may occur. Uterine fibroids can also increase the chance of:

• postpartum hemorrhaging
• obstructed labor
• stalled labor
• cesarean section

Infertility
Uterine fibroids have been linked to infertility in some women. About 3% of women who have trouble conceiving actually have very large fibroids that can interfere with fertilization and implantation. Subserosal and intramural fibroids are most commonly associated with infertility issues.

Treating Uterine Fibroids
If your fibroids aren’t causing you any pain and aren’t interfering with your ability to get pregnant, it is unlikely that you will need any treatment for them. However, if your fibroids are large, treatment might be necessary to reduce symptoms. Fibroid treatment can include:

• fibroid ablation (a type of laser treatment)
• medications to shrink the fibroids
• surgery to remove the fibroids
• hysterectomy to remove the uterus (only done in severe cases)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Many women suffer from the horrors of irregular periods. In fact, intermittent bleeding, short cycles, and skipped periods affect almost every woman at least once during her reproductive years. However, if you are continually struggling with irregular periods, and are also experiencing a number of other symptoms, you may actually be suffering from a menstrual disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS can result in anovulation and infertility, so it is important to seek treatment if you think that you might be suffering from the disorder.

What is PCOS?
PCOS is a reproductive disorder that affects your ovaries. It causes fluid-filled cysts to form all over the ovaries, preventing them from functioning appropriately. Your ovaries are responsible for releasing eggs into your fallopian tubes for fertilization. Every month, one egg is released from your ovary during ovulation. However, in women with PCOS, ovulation fails to occur.

The large number of cysts on the ovary interferes with the production of hormones. As a result, ovulation is hindered. These cysts can also cause the ovaries to enlarge to up to three times their normal size.

What Causes PCOS?
Unfortunately, the cause of PCOS remains a mystery to health care professionals. There are a number of theories as to what may cause the disorder, but no one theory has been sufficiently proven:

• Genetics: PCOS may be the result of faulty genetics. The disorder tends to run in families suggesting a genetic component to PCOS.
• Insulin Resistance: Recent research points to insulin resistance as a factor in the disorder. Up to 30% of women suffering from PCOS appear to have trouble using insulin properly.
• Hormonal Deficiency: PCOS is also linked with hormonal deficiencies. In order to ovulate, women need to have enough luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in their body. Women with PCOS don’t have enough of these hormones, which may trigger the disorder.

Who Gets PCOS?
PCOS can affect any woman of childbearing age, however, certain women seem to be at increased risk for developing the disorder. Risk factors include:

• having a family history of PCOS
• having diabetes
• suffering from insulin resistance

What are the Symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS is characterized by a number of different symptoms, some of which are very unpleasant and uncomfortable. If you recognize any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to visit with your health care provider. PCOS symptoms include:

• irregular menstruation
• amenorrhea
• infrequent ovulation
• anovulation
• weight gain
• excess hair growth (hirsutism)
• oily skin and acne
• male-pattern baldness
• dark patches on the skin

Complications of PCOS
If left untreated, PCOS can cause a number of complications. It is associated with:

• obesity
• heart disease
• diabetes
• infertility

Diagnosing PCOS
Diagnosing PCOS can be difficult. This is because of the wide variety of symptoms caused by the disorder which, on the surface, do not appear to be related at all. If you are experiencing any PCOS symptoms, ask your doctor about the possibility of PCOS.

In order to detect the presence of any cysts, your health care provider will first give you a pelvic exam. During this exam, your health care provider will palpate your ovaries, feeling for any cysts. If your cysts can be felt, than you will be given a vaginal ultrasound. This is a simple procedure that allows your health care provider to get a closer look at any ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts typically look like a string of pearls surrounding the ovaries. Blood tests may also be ordered to check the levels of certain hormones in your blood.

Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
PCOS treatment is necessary in order to reduce the side effects of the disorder and to maintain fertility. However, since the cause of the disorder is still debated, treatment focuses mainly on symptom reduction and not treatment of the disorder itself. Typical PCOS treatments include:

• Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives, like the birth control pill, are used to help restore hormonal balance and to reduce symptoms like hair growth and irregular periods.
• Insulin Treatment: Because so many women with PCOS appear to suffer from insulin resistance, insulin medications are often given to help treat the symptoms of PCOS. Insulin helps to regulate ovulation and menstruation.
• Surgery: Surgery can be performed for women with severe PCOS symptoms. Ovarian drilling uses a small needle to break cysts that have formed on the ovaries. However, this surgery can cause scar damage, which may compromise fertility.

Emotions Around Mastectomy

Emotions Around Mastectomy

Choosing to have a mastectomy can be an emotionally-draining and frightening experience for any woman. Fighting breast cancer is challenging enough without having to deal with the loss of a breast too. If you are considering mastectomy, or have already had a mastectomy, it is important to get in touch with your emotions about the surgery. Whether you are scared, angry, or frightened, your emotions are an important part of the decision-making and recovery process.

How Women Feel About Mastectomy
Every woman feels differently about choosing mastectomy. Some women are very comfortable with the idea of the surgery, while others are more concerned about it. However you feel, remember that it is okay. Your feelings are genuine and they can often help to guide you in the decision making process. You may feel a range of emotions, including:

• Fear - about going through surgery or losing a breast
• Anger - about getting cancer in the first place
• Sadness – about losing a part of your body

Work to acknowledge these feelings, both to yourself and to those around you, including your health care providers.

Choosing Mastectomy
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are probably spending some time considering your treatment options. Many women who have breast cancer choose to undergo mastectomy because it is one of the most efficient ways to remove breast cancer cells from the body. However, choosing mastectomy is not always an easy option. To help you decide between mastectomy and other treatments ask yourself the following questions:

• How do I feel about losing my breast?
• Are there alternative breast cancer treatments that may be just as effective?
• Do I have a support team (friends, family) to help me through my mastectomy?
• What are the costs of mastectomy compared to other treatments?

After Mastectomy
After your mastectomy, the worries and feelings that you had before treatment will not disappear right away. Both physical and emotional recovery takes time. After mastectomy, you may find yourself concerned with different things, ranging from your physical appearance to your sexual identity. It is important to acknowledge and discuss these concerns with those close to you, especially your partner or spouse.

Sex after Mastectomy
Many women find that sex after mastectomy is uncomfortable or difficult. This may be due to post-surgery pain or it could be due to psychological issues. Losing a breast can make it very hard to be intimate with someone. Being naked or having someone touch you may feel awkward or even scary. You may miss having your breasts caressed during sex. Or you may feel as if you are no longer a "woman" now that you have lost a breast. These feelings are entirely normal to have.

It is a good idea to discuss these feelings with your partner. By expressing your fears and concerns, your partner can help you to overcome them. Sometimes, simple changes to the "bedroom" routine can make intimacy more enjoyable. Try experimenting with different positions, or keep the lights dimmed low for the time being. Start off slow, even if it’s just by hugging or kissing. You may even want to meet with a sex therapist for tips on how to re-establish intimacy.

Body Image after Mastectomy
Mastectomy is intrinsically linked to body image for many women. A large percentage of breast cancer sufferers do not want to have mastectomies because of body image concerns. After your mastectomy, these concerns may continue or even become worse for a short period of time.

Reconstructive Surgery
It may be a good idea to consider reconstructive surgery to help improve your self-image. Reconstructive surgery helps to restore the appearance of your breast, which might help you over the initial hump of recovery.

Reconstructive surgery can be done during your mastectomy operation or anytime afterwards. It involves inserting a silicone implant or placing excess tissue from your abdomen into your breast area. This tissue is then shaped into a breast form. Reconstructive surgery is very popular and can provide you with a very natural shape. Most reconstructive surgery is covered by medical insurance. However, if your insurance does not cover this procedure, it is possible to find affordable plastic surgery options.

Mastectomy Products
You might consider purchasing a mastectomy prosthesis product, like a breast form, if you are worried about the way your chest looks. A breast form is made of silicone rubber and sits inside your clothes or adheres to your skin. It looks just like a real breast, and is even weighted to help you maintain proper posture. Breast forms come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and are usually covered in part by insurance.

Purchasing mastectomy clothing is also a good way to help you build your self-image. Mastectomy clothes are specially designed for women who have lost a breast. These clothes have special pockets in which you can insert breast forms or pads. They are also comfortable and stylish. Mastectomy bras and mastectomy swimsuits are among some of the most popular items.

Tips For Dealing With Mastectomy
Dealing with mastectomy can be very difficult. Here are some important tips to remember:

• Use self-talk to boost your body image. Be sure to acknowledge your loss and mourn it. Remind yourself that you are still a beautiful, sexual woman.
• Focus on the positives. Life is filled with negative things, but it can also be wonderful. Remind yourself about the things you love to do and about all the good things in your life.
• Talk with others. Join a support group, talk to family or friends, or meet with other women who have experienced mastectomy.
• Don’t rush yourself. Recovery takes time. Take things one day at a time.

Mastectomy

Mastectomy

If you have breast cancer, it is important for you to decide on a treatment plan that is right for you. It is a good idea to discuss all your treatment options with your health care provider as soon as possible, in order to catch the cancer in its early stages. One of the most common procedures for treating breast cancer is mastectomy. Mastectomy surgery offers many women with breast cancer the chance to live long, fulfilling lives, and it may be an appropriate choice for you. This article will help to keep you informed about the different types of mastectomy and how the procedure is performed.

What is a Mastectomy?
Most women have heard the word "mastectomy" being tossed around from time to time, but few of us are actually familiar with the procedure. A mastectomy is a surgical procedure used in the treatment of breast cancer and helps to preserve your breast health. It involves the removal of your breast, or a part of your breast, in order to stop the spread of breast cancer cells. There are several different types of mastectomies that can be performed, depending upon the stage and type of breast cancer you have.

Who Needs a Mastectomy?
Not every woman who is suffering from breast cancer needs to have a mastectomy. There are other treatments for breast cancer that have similar success rates, which may be a better choice for you. Women who elect to undergo mastectomy surgery generally fit certain guidelines for the procedure. Your health care provider may recommend a mastectomy if you:

• have cancer in more than one area of your breast
• have a small breast that is not ideal for lumpectomy
• are not suited for radiation therapy

Types of Mastectomy
There are four different kinds of mastectomies that are available to breast cancer sufferers. Your health care provider may recommend one type of mastectomy over the other depending upon your health, age, and the stage of your breast cancer.

Partial (Segmented) Mastectomy
Partial mastectomy is the least invasive type of mastectomy. It is frequently performed if you are in the early stages of breast cancer or if you have a small tumor. Partial mastectomy involves removing only a small portion of your breast. Generally, about one-quarter of your breast is removed.

Total (Simple) Mastectomy
With a total mastectomy, your entire breast is removed, including your breast skin and nipple. No axillary (armpit) lymph nodes are removed.

Modified Radical Mastectomy
If you have a modified radical mastectomy, your entire breast, breast skin, and nipple are removed. Some axillary lymph nodes are also removed. This is the most commonly-performed mastectomy procedure.

Radical Mastectomy
The radical mastectomy involves removing your entire breast, breast skin, and nipple, along with your axillary lymph nodes. The muscles in your chest wall are also removed. This procedure is now rarely performed because of the disfigurement that it causes.

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
Some mastectomy procedures involve the removal of your axillary lymph nodes. These are the lymph nodes found beneath your armpit and just above your breast. Lymph nodes help our bodies to drain fluids and fight infection properly. When you develop breast cancer, cancer cells can sometimes spread to your lymph nodes, indicating a more aggressive form of cancer.

It is sometimes necessary to remove these nodes in order to analyze them for cancer cells. During some mastectomy procedures, between 10 and 40 of your axillary lymph nodes will be removed. These lymph nodes will then be examined under a microscope for cancer cells. The information gained from this analysis can then be used in order to guide future treatment. Side effects of axillary lymph node dissection include:

• lymphedema, or swelling of the armpit
• limited arm movement
• numbness in the upper arm

The Mastectomy Procedure
If you choose to undergo mastectomy treatment, you will meet with you surgeon a few days before your surgery. She will go over the procedure and will answer any questions that you may have. You will be asked to sign a consent form and to stop certain medications that you may be taking. You may also be asked to give some blood in case a transfusion is needed during the procedure. You will not be allowed to eat or drink for about 8 hours before your surgery.

During Surgery
Mastectomy procedures are fairly straightforward and very safe. You will be given general anesthetic, so you will feel no pain during the surgery. You will also be hooked up to special monitors, which will record your heart rate and blood pressure throughout the surgery. You may be given an IV with any medications that you may require.

Your surgeon will make a diagonal or vertical incision around the perimeter of your breast. He will then remove any tissue or lymph nodes that need to be taken out. Your breast will then be reshaped and closed up, using stitches or special clips. If you have elected to have breast reconstruction surgery, this may be performed immediately after the mastectomy. Mastectomies are generally short procedures, taking between 1 and 3 hours, depending upon the procedure you choose.

Recovery and Side Effects
After your breast mastectomy, you will be taken to a recovery room until the effects of your anesthetic wear off. You may notice some breast tenderness around the surgery site. Your breast will be covered with a bandage and you will have a drainage tube that allows blood and fluid to flow out of the wound. Most women remain in hospital for 2 to 3 days, though it depends upon your health and the speed of your recovery. Side effects that you may notice include:

• fatigue
• tenderness or mild pain in the breast
• swelling
• pulling or stretching sensations under arm
• hardness due to the mastectomy scar

It is important to exercise your arm so that it does not become stiff after surgery. You will probably receive physiotherapy while you are in hospital and you should continue these exercises when you go home. However, do not take on any strenuous activity for about three or four weeks after your surgery.

Deciding on Mastectomy
Making the decision to have a mastectomy can be very difficult. It can be hard to imagine living without your breast, and you may feel like your identity or femininity is being threatened. The procedure can often be made easier by having breast reconstruction after mastectomy. This helps to reshape your breast and reduce any disfigurement, and may help you to feel more comfortable choosing mastectomy. Ask you health care provider for more information about this option.

Breast Cancer Prevention

Breast Cancer Prevention

The best way to get ahead of breast cancer is to prevent it. All women are encouraged to engage in active prevention, in the hopes that breast cancer can be detected and treated in its earliest stages.

Breast Exam
Every woman is encouraged to get a breast exam performed by her health care provider every year. An integral part of breast health, it is also important that you perform monthly breast self examinations at home.

Breast Self Examinations
It is easy to perform a breast self-exam yourself. Try to do a breast self-exam about once a month, ideally a few days after your period finishes, as your breasts won’t be as tender and swollen at this time. To perform a self-exam:

• Lie down on your bed with a pillow behind your right shoulder.
• Raise your right arm and rest it behind your head.
• Using the fingers on your left hand, gently palpate your right breast in tiny circular motions.
• Feel for lumps, bumps, or anything unusual.
• Then examine your left breast using the same technique.

Keep in mind that women’s breast normally change over the month. Also, breasts are made up of many different ducts and tissue therefore it is very normal to have lumps on your breasts as well as different types of lumps in different areas of your breasts.

So how do you know if a lump is something to worry about? When doing a self-exam, you want to look for a lump or bump that is not normal for you. It may take some time for you to get to know your breasts, but it is important that you do. Also, if notice any breast cancer-type symptoms, make an appointment with your health care provider to have it investigated.

Mammograms
Mammograms are used to detect lumps or cancerous cells in your breasts. All women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram every couple of years. Mammograms use x-ray technology to take a picture of your breasts.

During a mammogram, your breasts are squeezed between two plastic plates and then x-rayed. Though this procedures may be uncomfortable, it only lasts for a few seconds.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Treatment

In the past, there were few treatments available to help patients with breast cancer. Now, there are a number of reliable alternatives to help you overcome your breast cancer and help you maintain your breast health. It is important to note, though, that a woman's prognosis improves the earlier she notices symptoms and is diagnosed.

Surgery
Surgery used to be the first-line approach to treating breast cancer. It is still used frequently, only it is now much less invasive and disfiguring. The types of surgery used are:

• Lumpectomy, in which the lump (or tumor) is removed from the breast with a small amount of surrounding tissue. The lumpectomy is sometimes called breast-conserving surgery because it limits disfiguration of your breast.
• Total mastectomy surgery involves removing the entire breast, but no auxiliary muscles or lymph nodes are taken.
• Modified radical mastectomy is the most common kind of mastectomy performed today. During this mastectomy, the entire breast and some lymph nodes are removed.
• Radical mastectomies are rarely performed today. It involves removing the entire breast, auxiliary lymph nodes, as well as the muscles in the chest wall.

Radiation
Radiation is a very effective treatment for breast cancer, particularly when coupled with surgical techniques. Radiation uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells in your body. Radiation can be delivered to your breast externally, through a machine, or internally, through certain radioactive substances. Side effects include:

• nausea
• fatigue
• hair loss
• mouth sores
• lack of appetite

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy consists of specific drugs that help to kill or damage cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs are taken orally or intravenously, and enter your bloodstream to help interfere with the division of cancer cells. Side effects include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• hair loss
• loss of appetitie
• mouth sores

Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy is also effective in reducing the growth of cancer cells. Certain medications can help to block or reduce the amount of estrogen your body produces. It is thought that estrogen plays a key role in encouraging cells to divide. Side effects are similar to menopause symptoms, and include:

• hot flashes
• mood swings
• nausea

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Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

As a woman, it is important to be as knowledgeable as you can about breast cancer. After all, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women today. It is second only to lung cancer. In recent years we have seen a rapid rise in the number of women affected by breast cancer. Though any woman can develop breast cancer, by learning about its signs and symptoms and engaging in proper prevention, you can significantly lower your risks of developing serious breast cancer.

What is Breast Cancer?
When cancer attacks the breast area, it is known as breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when the cells inside your breast begin to grow out of control. As a result, lumps called tumors begin to form deep inside the breast. If left untreated, these cells will continue to grow and can eventually spread throughout your body, causing a number of side effects.

About 216,000 people will develop breast cancer this year alone. Unfortunately 43,000 of these patients will lose their battle with the disease. Luckily, a number of quality treatments are now available for use in the battle against breast cancer. Though it is often thought of as a woman’s disease, 1 in every 100 patients with breast cancer is actually male.

No one is really sure what causes breast cancer in all women. Instead, it seems that there are a variety of factors that contribute to breast cancer.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2
BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are genes that are found inside every person’s body. These BRCA genes are responsible for helping our DNA to repair itself. When functioning normally, these genes help our bodies to stay healthy; but when functioning abnormally, these genes can cause cancer cells to grow. Both women and men can be born with or develop abnormalities in their BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. This is associated with an 85% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. The BRCA 1 and 2 genes are also associated with ovarian cancer.

Hormonal Causes
Hormones, particularly estrogens, seem to play a role in contributing to continued cell growth in cancer patients. Estrogens stimulate cell growth, which means that exposure to estrogens may play a role in causing breast cancer.

Risk Factors
While every woman is at risk of developing breast cancer, although some women and a few men are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Risk factors include:

• Age: the older you get the more likely you are to develop breast cancer.
• Family history: if your mother, sister, or daughter had breast cancer you are also more likely to develop it.
• BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene abnormality
• Prolonged exposure to estrogen, such as through hormone replacement therapy
• Experiencing early menarche or late menopause.
• Delaying childbirth or not having children
• Possibly having an early abortion

Symptoms of Breast Cancer
It is important to keep an eye out for the signs of breast cancer. This will enable you to seek treatment earlier if you do develop the illness. Signs include:

• a lump or mass in your breast tissue
• pain or discharge from your nipple
• breast swelling or inversion of your nipple
• dimpling or change in the texture of your skin

Stages of Breast Cancer:
There are five main stages of breast cancer.

Stage 0: Stage 0, or non-invasive cancer, marks the very beginning stages of cancer, in which no invading cells have spread out of the tumor area.

Stage I: Stage I is classified as invasive cancer that has caused a tumor in the breast, which is less than 2 centimeters wide. It has not yet affected the lymph nodes.

Stage II: Stage II breast cancer is characterized by a tumor between 2 and 5 centimeters wide. Cancer cells have also spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage III: Stage III breast cancer occurs when the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters. In this stage the cancer has also spread to the lymph nodes, causing them to stick together. Cancer cells may also spread to the skin, mammary glands, and chest wall.

Stage IV: Stage IV breast cancer occurs when the cancer cells have spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes, into areas like the lungs, bones, and brain.

Treatment is available for breast cancer. Additionally, learning how to do a breast self examination is recommended for every woman as a way to maintain breast health.

Fallopian Cancer Treatment

Treating Fallopian Cancer

Diagnosis

Diagnosing fallopian cancer is very difficult, because symptoms are very similar to those of uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. If you are experiencing symptoms of fallopian cancer, you will probably undergo the following tests, to determine if there is cancer present.

Pelvic Exam: An internal pelvic exam will be performed by your health care provider. She will examine your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix for any abnormal masses.

Ultrasound: If a mass is located, your health care provider will probably give you an ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of your fallopian tubes. This picture is then analyzed for cancer cells.

Surgery: Exploratory surgery is required in order to verify the presence of fallopian cancer. Your surgeon will look for any cancerous growths and try to determine the extent to which your cancer has spread.

Fallopian Cancer Treatment

There are no specific treatments for fallopian cancer. Most treatments that are used have been adapted from ovarian cancer treatments. Treatments include:

Surgery: This is the first step taken in treating fallopian cancer. It is important to remove as much cancer as possible so your fallopian tubes and ovaries will both be removed. Your uterus will also be removed in an operation called a hysterectomy. Your surgeon may also have to remove some of the connective tissue in your pelvis as well as your pelvic lymph nodes. The main side effect of this surgery is that you will no longer be able to have children. You will also enter into surgical menopause, which is often characterized by severe menopause symptoms.

Radiation: Radiation therapy is used after surgery in order to kill any remaining cancer cells. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radioactive materials in order to prevent cancer cells from reproducing. This causes tumors to shrink. Radiation therapy can be given internally, through injection, IV, or implants. It can also be given externally, via a radiation machine called a linear accelerator. Side effects include: nausea and fatigue.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is also used after surgery in order to kill off any remaining cancer cells. It uses a mixture of oral or injectable drugs. The most commonly used drugs for fallopian cancer treatment are Taxol and Platinol. Side effects include: nausea, loss of appetite, and hair loss.

Prognosis
The prognosis for women with fallopian cancer depends upon the stage at which they were diagnosed and the treatments they received. Generally, the five-year survival rate is higher the earlier you are treated. Stage 1 and 2 survival rates range from 60% to 90%. Unfortunately, these rates decline in Stages 3 and 4, with women having only a 25% 5-year survival rate.

Fallopian Cancer

Fallopian Cancer

Most of us have heard of breast cancer and lung cancer and, thanks to new information, we are now learning more about other cancers too. Fallopian cancer is one of the most rare forms of gynecological cancer affecting women. Because of this, many women ignore its symptoms; however, it is important to be aware of the signs of this type of cancer. Fallopian cancer is a serious disease and can cause disastrous health problems including infertility and even death.

What is Cancer?
Just hearing the word cancer is often enough to make us nervous. Cancer is a scary term, often because no one is really sure of what it means. Cancer actually begins in our own bodies. Our bodies are made up of millions of different types of cells that divide and multiply to keep our body running. Sometimes, though, certain cells in the body begin to function abnormally. This is exactly what cancer is – abnormal cells. When these abnormal cells divide, they begin to multiply and expand very rapidly. The result is the growth of excess tissues, called tumors, throughout our bodies.

What is Fallopian Cancer?
Fallopian cancer is a type of cancer that develops inside a woman’s fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes are ducts that carry your eggs from your ovaries to your uterus, where they can be fertilized. Fallopian cancer is caused by the rapid overgrowth of certain cells in your fallopian tubes. As these cells grow, they create tumors. These tumors can grow to large sizes, and end up pushing on the edges of your fallopian tubes, causing intense pain. Eventually, these tumors will spread throughout the body.

Fallopian cancer is one of the least common types of cancers out there. In fact, it only accounts for 1% of all female gynecological cancers. Fewer than 600 women in the United States develop fallopian cancer every year. Worldwide, less than 2,000 women get the disease.

Types of Fallopian Cancer
In order to determine the spread of the disease and make a diagnosis, fallopian cancer is divided up into four stages:

1. Stage 1: Cancer is limited to one or both fallopian tubes
2. Stage 2: Cancer is present in one or both fallopian tubes and extends into the pelvic cavity
3. Stage 3: Cancer is present in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread outside the pelvic cavity
4. Stage 4: Cancer is present in one or both fallopian tubes and is also located in distant parts of the body

Who’s At Risk?
Unfortunately, because fallopian cancer is so rare it is difficult to determine who is at risk for developing the disease. However, there are a few known groups who are at increased risk for fallopian cancer. Risk factors include:

• Being between the ages of 50 and 80
• having a history of unexplained infertility
• having had previous inflammation of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis)
• being Caucasian

Fallopian Cancer Symptoms
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of fallopian cancer. The earlier the cancer is caught, the better your chances of recovery. Symptoms include:

• pelvic or abdominal pain
• abdominal pressure
• irregular vaginal bleeding (especially after menopause)
• irregular vaginal discharge
• pelvic mass that disappears after the appearance of honey-colored vaginal discharge

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your health care provider. Diagnosing and treating fallopian cancer early greatly improves your chances of survival.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Treatment for Ovarian Cancer

Diagnosis

Diagnosing ovarian cancer can be difficult since many ovarian cancer symptoms can be easily confused with other ailments. As a result, most women aren’t diagnosed until they reach the advanced stages of the illness. There is no clinical test for ovarian cancer. However, a variety of techniques are used in order to diagnose the disease.

Pelvic Exam: Every woman over the age of 21 should have a pelvic exam annually. During this exam, the doctor palpates inside the vagina in order to feel for abnormal tissue masses that could be indicative of ovarian cancer.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound devices can relay pictures of your pelvic region on to a television monitor. Doctors can then analyze these pictures for abnormal growth in the area.

CA-125 Blood Test: This blood test analyzes levels of Cancer Antigen 125 in your blood stream. Women with ovarian cancer often have higher than normal levels of CA 125. However, this blood test is fairly inaccurate in detecting the disease in its early stages.

Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Once you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, treatment is of the utmost concern. It is important to stop the growth of the cancer before it can travel throughout your body.

Surgery
Surgery is the first step taken in treating ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer surgery needs to be performed in order to determine the type of cancer you have and its stage. Your surgeon will make a vertical cut in your abdomen in order to expose the pelvic region. From this, she will be able to examine the extent to which your cancer has grown. Samples of the cancer will be taken and all visible tumors will be removed. Your surgeon will likely remove at least one of you ovaries for examination. If your cancer is advanced, both ovaries and fallopian tubes will be removed. A hysterectomy is also possible.

Chemotherapy
After you have surgery, it is likely that you will receive chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is designed to kill cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. Chemotherapy consists of rounds of combined drug therapies, usually Paraplatin and Taxol. Side effects of chemotherapy can be harsh and include: fatigue, nausea, low blood count, and hair loss.

Radiation Treatment
Radiation treatment is rarely used in order to kill ovarian cancer. However, it is used among those people whose bodies have been cleared of all cancer during initial surgery. Radiation therapy uses high frequency x-rays in order to damage and kill cancer cells. Side effects include: diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and low blood counts.

Ovarian Cancer Prognosis
The prognosis for ovarian cancer is generally low, often because it takes so long to diagnose women with the disease. This means that by the time they receive treatment, most women are already in advanced stages. If the cancer is caught early on, though, there is a 90% to 98% 5 year survival rate. Generally however, the 5 year survival rate is between 30% and 38%.

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Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the fifth most common cancers effecting women today. It can have disastrous affects on your health and fertility, and is very often life-threatening. More than 20,000 women in North America will develop the disease every year and, unfortunately, many will not be diagnosed until the later stages of the disease. As a result, 16,000 women die each year. It is important that every woman be aware of ovarian cancer symptoms and take steps in order to ensure early detection and treatment.

What is Ovarian Cancer?
We have all heard of cancer before, but what exactly is it? Cancer occurs when certain cells in your body begin to grow rapidly and abnormally. Ovarian cancer occurs when the cells in your ovaries begin to multiply and grow out of control. As a result, tumors (growths made up of these cancerous cells) begin to form. There are a number of different types of ovarian cancer, differentiated between the type of cells in which the cancer first begins to form.

Types of Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is classified according to the type of cell in which the cancer begins to form. Certain types of cancer are more prevalent than others, and all are associated with different survival rates. The types of ovarian cancer include:

Epithelial: Epithelial ovarian cancer begins in the tissue that covers the ovaries. It accounts for 85% to 90% of all ovarian cancers. Epithelial tumors are most likely to occur in postmenopausal women. When you hear about ovarian cancer, it is typically this type of ovarian cancer that people are referring to.

Germ Cell: Germ cell ovarian cancer occurs in the cells responsible for producing the eggs that you release during ovulation. This type of ovarian cancer is much more rare, and usually affects teenagers and women in their 20s. 90% of germ cell ovarian cancers can be cured.

Stromal: Stromal cancer forms in the tissue cells that help to hold together your ovaries. This type of ovarian cancer is very rare, but it is considered a low-grade cancer which can usually be successfully treated.

Ovarian Cancer Stages
In order to measure the extent of the disease, ovarian cancer is divided into stages. It is best to be diagnosed in the early stages of the illness, in order to ensure the most effective treatment. Unfortunately, 90% of women are diagnosed in advanced stages of ovarian cancer.

1. Stage 1: Stage 1 marks the beginning of the disease. During this stage, cancer is present in one or both of your ovaries.
2. Stage 2: During this stage, cancer is present in one or both of your ovaries but has also extended into the pelvic cavity.
3. Stage 3: Stage 3 ovarian cancer is present in one or both of the ovaries but has also spread to the abdominal lining and lymph nodes.
4. Stage 4: Stage 4 ovarian cancer is the most advanced form of the disease. During this stage, one or both ovaries are cancerous and the illness has also spread to different parts of the body, such as the lungs.

Who’s At Risk?
Ovarian cancer tends to affect women of menopausal years, though it can plague women of all ages. Typically, a woman has a 2% risk of developing the disease during her lifetime, however, certain factors can increase this risk. Women who are at the highest risk for developing the cancer are those with a gene defect called BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 (these genes are also highly associated with breast cancer). Those who have first-degree family members (sister, mother, daughter) with ovarian cancer are also at increased risk. Other risk factors include:

• infertility
• having ovarian cysts, especially after menopause
• having had no children
• never having used the birth control pill
• having used hormone replacement therapy

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
The problem with ovarian cancer is that so many of the symptoms are often overlooked - many women don’t recognize their symptoms. Signs of ovarian cancer are also frequently confused with other illnesses, especially gastrointestinal complications like irritable bowel syndrome. Ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• abdominal swelling or bloating
• abdominal pain
• persistent indigestion, gas, and nausea
• low back pain
• unexplained weight loss or gain
• fatigue
• irregular menstrual bleeding
• painful intercourse
• change in bowel and urinary habits

If you notice any of these ovarian cancer symptoms, make an appointment with your health care provider. Early diagnosis and treatment is important in increase your chances of survival.

Uterine Cancer Treatment

Diagnosing and Treating Uterine Cancer

Diagnosis

Being aware of the signs and symptoms of uterine cancer can help alert you and your health care provider that perhaps something is not quite right with your body. Diagnosing uterine cancer can sometimes be difficult because there is no one test for the disease. Instead, a series of exams must be done in order to diagnose the illness.

Pelvic Exam
Every woman aged 21 or older should receive an annual pelvic exam. During this exam, your health care provider will feel for growths or abnormalities in your pelvis, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and rectum. This can help to determine if there are any tumors growing on your uterus. It is also a good idea to get a PAP smear done at the same time as this can help detect cervical cancer.

Transvaginal Ultrasound
If abnormalities are found in your pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound will be performed. During this test, your health care provider will insert an instrument in your vagina. This probe bounces sound waves at your uterus, creating an image, which is then relayed back to a television monitor. This will allow your health care provider to look at your uterus and examine your endometrium for any cancerous growth.

Biopsy
In order to diagnose uterine cancer, a biopsy must be performed. During the biopsy, your health care provider will remove a small piece of tissue from your uterus for testing. This can usually be done in office, though sometimes it requires anesthesia, which means a visit to the hospital.

Uterine Cancer Treatment

If you are diagnosed with uterine cancer, you will probably be advised to seek immediate treatment. This is to prevent the further spread of cancerous cells throughout your body. There are a number of different treatments used with uterine cancer. Often, women will use a combination of 2 therapies in order to receive the most effective treatment.

Surgery
Surgery is generally performed in women with uterine cancer but who are otherwise healthy. By removing cancerous tissues first, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often more successful. Surgery will remove all visible cancerous cells. Generally, your uterus and cervix will be removed in a process called a hysterectomy. It is also possible that your fallopian tubes and ovaries will be removed, though your surgeon will attempt to preserve your fertility. Surgery is generally the most effective treatment though it does have its side effects. If your ovaries are removed, you will enter into menopause, which is often accompanied by severe menopause symptoms.

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses energy rays to kill cancerous cells in your body and it is often used in combination with surgical treatment. External radiation uses a machine, which sends radioactive rays over affected areas of the body. Internal radiation involves inserting tubes containing radioactive materials inside the vagina. Side effects include: fatigue, loss of appetite, dryness, itching in the vagina, and diarrhea.

Hormonal Therapy
Hormone therapy is sometimes used to slow the growth of cancer cells. It is an excellent choice for those who cannot undergo surgery for health reasons. In order to grow, cancer cells feed off of hormones that your body produces. Progesterone supplements counteract these hormones, preventing the cancer from spreading. Side effects include: fatigue, retaining fluids, changes in menstrual periods, and appetite and weight changes.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is also used to kill cancer cells in uterine cancer patients. It is especially useful for advanced cases as the medication enters the blood stream and treats all areas of the body. Typically, a combination of medicines is used, given either intravenously or orally. Side effects include: nausea, hair loss, loss of appetite, and mouth or vaginal sores.

Prognosis
The survival rate for uterine cancer generally depends upon the individual health of the patient. However, average rates can be determined. The prognosis for endometrial cancer is typically good. If caught early, the five year survival rate is between 75% and 95%. The prognosis for uterine sarcomas is less promising. If caught early, there is a five-year survival rate of between 20% and 50%. In its most advanced stages, the five-year survival rate is only 10%.

Uterine Cancer

Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer affects more than 40,000 women in the United States every year and thousands more worldwide have the disease. In fact, uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting females. Knowledge about uterine cancer is not widespread and, often, the cancer is not diagnosed until it is in its advanced stages. As a result, many women die from the disease. In order to ensure quick and appropriate treatment, it is important that all women be aware of the signs and symptoms of uterine cancer.

What is Uterine Cancer?
Cancer can affect pretty much any part of your body, from your lungs to your cervix. Cancer is caused when cells in your body begin to malfunction and divide rapidly, causing the growth of excess tissues, called tumors. Uterine cancer is caused by these cancerous cells that grow rapidly in parts of the uterus. Uterine cancer accounts for about 6% of all female cancers. Of the 40,000 women diagnosed in the United States every year, about 7,000 will die from the disease. There are actually two types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcomas.

Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer, accounting for about 95% of all uterine cancer cases. Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of your uterus, which is called the endometrium. The endometrium is the part of your body that thickens every month in preparation for pregnancy. If you do not become pregnant, then your endometrium will shed during menstruation. There are three types of endometrial cancer:

• Adenocarcinoma: This type of cancer develops on the surface of the endometrium. It is the most common type of endometrial cancer, accounting for 90% of all cases. It is usually associated with perimenopausal women.
• Papillary Serous Carcinoma: This type of cancer accounts for 10% of endometrial cancer cases.
• Clear Cell Adenocarcinomas: This is the most aggressive type of endometrial cancer. It is usually only detected at advanced stages.

Uterine Sarcoma
Unlike endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma takes root in the muscles and supporting tissues of the uterus. Uterine sarcomas are much more rare, with only about 1,000 women developing this type of cancer every year. Again, there are three types of uterine sarcomas:

• Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma: This type of sarcoma develops in the supporting tissues of the endometrium. It is the least common type of uterine sarcoma.
• Uterine Leiomyosarcomas: Leiomyosarcomas develop in the muscular walls of the uterus. This is the second most common type of uterine sarcoma.
• Uterine Carcinosarcomas: Carcinosarcomas are the most common form of uterine sarcoma. They actually begin forming in the endometrium and gradually spread.

Stages of Uterine Cancer
The progression of uterine cancer is measured in stages, with stage 1 being the earliest and stage 4 being the most advanced. If you have uterine cancer, it is essential to be diagnosed as soon as possible. Survival rates decline, sometimes severely, with each stage of uterine cancer. The stages are:

1. Stage 1: Stage 1 marks the onset of uterine cancer. During this stage, cancer cells are present only in the uterus.
2. Stage 2: In stage 2, the uterine cancer has spread from the uterus to the cervix.
3. Stage 3: During this stage, cancer cells have spread outside the uterus, but remain in the pelvic cavity. Cancerous cell may be located in the pelvic lymph nodes.
4. Stage 4: Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of uterine cancer. During this stage, cancer cells have spread to the bladder, rectum, or other body parts outside the pelvic cavity.

Uterine Cancer Symptoms
In order to catch the cancer in its earliest stages, it is important to monitor yourself for signs and symptoms of uterine cancer, especially if you are at high risk of developing the disease. Symptoms of endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma include:

• irregular vaginal bleeding
• painful urination
• pain during intercourse
• pelvic pain or discomfort

Risk Factors
Uterine cancer is most common among middle-aged and elderly women, and typically onsets between the ages of 50 and 70. However, it is not unheard of for younger women to develop the disease. There are other risk factors that also seem to increase your risk of developing uterine cancer. These include:

• being obese
• having diabetes
• having high blood pressure
• early menarche or menopause
• engaging in long-term use of hormone replacement therapy
• having endometrial hyperplasia (increased number of cells in the uterine lining)
• having had previous colorectal cancer
• having used Tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug
• prior pelvic radiation therapy

Race also seems to play a factor in uterine cancer. Caucasians are much more likely to develop endometrial cancer, while African Americans are more likely to develop uterine sarcomas.

Once you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, it is important to seek treatment quickly

Treating Cervical Cancer

Treatment and Reproducing After Cervical Cancer

The sooner cervical cancer is caught and treated, the better your prognosis. If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, how it is treated will depend on your age, the location of the abnormal or cancerous cells and whether or not you hope to have children in the future.

Diagnosis
Before the cells in your cervix fully mutate into cancerous cells, they will appear as unusual cells in a PAP smear. If your PAP smear shows this type of pre-cancerous cells, you will be told that you have abnormal cervical cells. While this is not actually cervical cancer, you will probably be advised to seek treatment now since it is more than likely that these abnormal cells will go on to develop into cancerous cells.

If you have abnormal cells, there are six common ways to treat them, most of which will not affect your fertility.

• Excision: This procedure involves cutting out the abnormal cells
• Electrocautery: For this treatment, a metal rod that has an electric current running through it is used to burn and destroy any abnormal cells in your cervix
• Cryosurgery: The abnormal cells are frozen through the use of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide
• Laser Vaporization: In this procedure, a laser beam is used to burn off the area affected by the abnormal cells
• Radical Trachelectomy: This treatment involves removing the entire cervix
• Conization: This procedure is both a form of treatment and diagnosis. It involves removing a cone-shaped area of the affected cells which is then sent for biopsy.

Cervical Cancer Treatment
If your PAP smear shows that the cells have advanced to cancerous cells, there are a few different ways the cancer will be dealt with.

• Hysterectomy: This procedure may be suggested if your PAP smear has shown severely abnormal cervical cells, which indicates that they will soon be cancerous, or if you have repeatedly had abnormal PAP smears. In this instance, the hysterectomy will involve the complete removal of the cervix and uterus. When a hysterectomy is performed to treat cervical cancer, however, your cervix, uterus, any tissue that holds the cervix and uterus in place, the top of the vagina as well as the lymph nods that surround the uterus will need to be removed. If the cancer has progressed to the advanced stages, it may also be necessary to remove part of the bowel, rectum, bladder and/or the lymph nods surrounding the bowel and bladder.
• Radiation Therapy: This type of treatment is used for both early and advanced stages of cervical cancer. During radiation therapy, the cancerous cells are reduced and killed off through the use of high doses of x-rays or radioactive substances. This treatment can be done intensively over a two to three day period whereby a large dose of radioactive material is placed directly into the vagina to destroy the cancerous cells. This is known as internal therapy and requires you to stay in the hospital during the course of treatment. There is also an external therapy option, which does not require a hospital stay. To receive this type of treatment, you commute to a hospital or clinic several times a week for a period of weeks during which time you receive the radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy: This type of treatment is done on an outpatient basis and uses drugs to destroy the cancer cells. Because the medication is administered through pills or injections that quickly get into the blood stream, it is easier for the drugs to find and kill the cancerous cells. This type of treatment is sometimes combined with radiation therapy.

Conceiving After Cervical Cancer
If you have been treated for cervical cancer, it is unlikely that you will be able to become pregnant naturally afterwards. Hysterectomy is the most common form of treatment for cervical cancer but as this involves the complete removal of your reproductive organs, it will be physically impossible to become pregnant. Opting for radiation therapy or chemotherapy may leave your organs intact but it can also cause significant damage to them, again making it virtually impossible to conceive.

Before deciding on a course of treatment, discuss with your doctor your desire to have children. There may be alternative types of treatment or steps you can take to preserve your fertility.

Cervical Cancer in Pregnancy
It is very rare for a pregnant woman to be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Women who are diagnosed with cervical can receive treatment but in some cases it may necessitate the need to terminate the pregnancy.

When cervical cancer is detected in its very earliest stage, 1A, and a woman is past her first trimester, it should be possible to delay treatment until after the child is delivered. Women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer during the first three months of pregnancy, though, will be urged to seek immediate treatment although it would require that the pregnancy be terminated.

By the time cervical cancer has progressed to stage 1B, a woman will be faced with the decision as to whether or not she should end her pregnancy. Choosing to terminate the pregnancy would result in immediate treatment, most likely hysterectomy or radiation therapy. If you would rather continue your pregnancy, you will give birth by cesarean section as soon as your child can survive outside of the womb thereby allowing you to receive treatment as soon as possible.

Once cervical cancer has progressed past stage 1B, women are advised to seek treatment for the cancer immediately.

Hair Donation
Is someone you know dealing with hair loss because of their cervical cancer treatment? Then donate your tresses in their honor! Together with HairUWear, Pantene Beautiful Lengths is looking for hair donations to make wigs for women that have lost their hair through cancer treatment.