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Pag* 4 NORTHWEST HERALD Section B Wednesday, S«pt«mb«r 11,1915 Nation Hysterectomy . Continued from Page 2B operation, according to federal Cen­ ter for Disease Controk^tatistics. During the decade ending in 1980, the hysterectomy rate among wom­ en age 15 to 44 was 2.5 times higher in the South than in the Northeast, where the rate was lowest. For ev­ ery 1,000 black women age 15 to 44, 8.7 underwent a hysterectomy. Among white women the rate was 7.7. Overall, between 1965 and 1973 there was a 50 percent increase in hysterectomies among women youn­ ger than age 45. --- '• v ' CDC's Dr. Kathleen Irwin said re­ searchers can only speculate about why regional and racial differences exist. The fact that women in the South tend to have more children and fin­ ish childbearingr at an earlier age means "they might be more amena­ ble to hysterectomy," she said. Re­ gional differences 4n medical prac­ tice styles, such as when a hysterectomy would be recommend­ ed, might also account for the differences. s A hysterectomy is a commons treatment for certain diseases, In­ cluding pelvic inflammatory disease and fibroid tumors. She said both conditions are thought to be more common in blacks than whites, cit­ ing that as a possible explanation for the racial variation. The debate continues at a time Hysterectomy's fatigue surprised recent patient By Mary Powers Scrippe Howard News Service • ' Anne consulted two doctors and read everything she could find on the topic prior to her hysterectomy. Now she says, "1 didn't know the questions to ask." She still believes she made the right decision three years ago when she underwent both a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy. That means both her uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) were removed. She was prepared for the hot flashes and daily ritual of taking fin estrogen pill. But she didn't expect the chronic fatigue. "There is always this underlying feeling of fatigue," she said. "Women are going in for (hysterectomy) surgery, thinking it is benign," said Nora Coffey of Hysterectomy Educational Resources and Services (HERS). Ms. Coffey speaks from experience. She had expected to be back to her University of Pennsylvania faculty post within three weeks of having a hysterectomy. Instead, complications eventually made her return impossible. Her symptoms, including debilitating bone and joint problems, were linked to everything from bubonic plague to lupus. "What I later discov­ ered was that the symptoms were well-documented in the (medical) literature as being from a hysterectomy," she said. Ms. Coffey said most doctors do not acknowledge the surgery's potential impact. Since Frieda underwent a hysterectomy and oophorectomy three years ago she said she's less interested in sex. If she forgets the daily estrogen pill she is prone to restlessness, insomnia and tears. Along with those post-hysterectomy changes, Ms. Coffey said the surgery is also associated with a loss of short term memory, a possible loss of muscle mass and less intense orgasms. "Essentially women go through rapid onset of aging, affecting every tissue and cell in the body," she said. Ms. Coffey also claims the risk of heart attack is 2.5 times greater following a hysterectomy and 5.7 times greater following a oophorectomy. But Dr. Frank Ling of the University of Tennesseets Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said there is no longer thought to be a link between hysterectomies and heart disease. A link between hysterectomies and depression remains, Dr. Ling said, particularly in patients prone to depression. "There is no cure for the after effects. This is not a story with a happy ending," Ms. Coffey said. when the annual hysterectomy rate has apparently leveled.off after climbing throughout the mid 1970s. It also comes at a time when the procedure has fallen into disfavor as a method of birth control. It's also no longer supported by the Ameri­ can College of Obstetrics and Gyne­ cology as an appropriate step for preventing cancer of the reproduc­ tive organs. Meanwhile, some healthy women continue vto seek it, said Dr. Claudia L. Moise, an obstetrician and gyne­ cologist. "These women have read about hysterectomy and decided that it is exactly what they need. "They don't really understand that it is dangerous surgery. People die from routine hysterectomies. But they just want to get one for convenience, so they do not have periods anymore." For each 1,000 women undergoing the procedure, one or two will die. The surgery also isn't cheap. The average total cost of a hysterectomy was $4,710 in 1983, according to the latest figures from a Metropolitan Life Insurance Go. report. ^ Drs. Moise and Ling agreed that hysterectomy was the treatment of choice for certain conditions, includ­ ing invasive cancer of the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes or ovaries. It is often the treatment of choice for severe uncontrolled infec­ tions or bleeding. But some groups advise women that radiation implants and other treatments are now available t& treat certain cancers of the repro­ ductive organs. For endometriosis, fibroid tumors, infection or pain, certain precancer* ous conditions and a condition called pelvic relaxation, things aren't al­ ways so clear, the doctors said. "There are now techniques that in many cases obviate the need for a hysterectomy. Fifteen or 20 years ago these patients had to have one," Dr. Ling said. Fibroids, for example, are large benign tumors found inside, outside or within the uterine walls. Some estimate they can be found in 50 percent of women by age 35. They cause no problems for some women while others experience heavy bleeding, urinary problems and pain. jp For women with many symptoms or fast-growing fibroids, Dr. Moise s a i d s h e w o u l d d i s c u s s a hysterectomy. CI *"5 n t e r ' M ^ For Chemical Dependency 1CHECK IT OUT YES NO Is drinking or the use of other drugs making your home life unhappy? Is drinking or other drug usage affecting your reputation? Have you ever felt remorse after drinking or using drugs? Do you drink or use other drugs to build up your self confidence? Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking or other drug usage? Does your drinking or using of other drugs make you careless of your family welfare? Do you drink or use other drugs to escape from worries or troubles? Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking or other drug usage? ^ If you answered YES to any one of these questions, there Is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic. CALL US, IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT 815-338-8448 • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Published Saturday PLAY EDITION ADDITION TODAY'S PAPER SEE TODAY'S PAPER!