Myomectomy, Fibroids, Fertility, and Migraines

Q: Hi

Please would you advise me, I am 45 years old, married 1 year and longing to be pregnant, tried the red clover treatment, but suffered severe migraines, am I too late? or is there something else I could try??

thanks

A.

 

A: A., when you say you tried the "Red Clover treatment" what specifically do you mean you did, how much and for how long. Do you feel the migraines are from the Red Clover? How are your migraines now? Are you still bleeding? Regularly? I know when we want something so bad and time seems to be ticking away we nearly grab all we can and whatever can work the quickest the better. Although it may be scary I encourage you to choose now the pace and experience of life you want now and for the coming years, no matter what is to come. Some help can be done with diligent focused work, and takes time and patience. I understand though the need to decide and get started now. Knowing what more exactly you have already tried and how your health is, especially your reproductive health, will help me know what to suggest further. Have you read Fertility After Forty?

Have you ever been pregnant? Do you think you have problems with fertility? Are you aware of your most fertile days to time with your husband?

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Dear Karen Joy

thanks for your reply. I am unable to obtain Red Clover Tea, but I took capsules ( 2 capsules x 2 times a day) but coming up to my period time, I would take bad migraines, when I stopped taking the Red Clover, the migraines lessened, my cycle seems to still be regular, but I did have surgery for fibroids approx 4 years ago. No I have never been pregnant, but I think I'm getting the hang of knowing my most fertile times!!! ( a bit naive unfortunately !!!)

thanks again

A.

 

A: Hello A., taking a capsule with tiny bit of dried herb of unknown quality is far different from drinking the infusions regularly. This would still be my first choice for you, unless of course the headaches return and are caused by the infusions. I have never heard of this though. I would hope you drink the infusions for at least 6 months before reevaluating if you would like to add anything else to your routine. The dried blossoms can be gotten from many mail order sources and I believe may be more economical than the capsule bottle.

What surgery did you have for fibroids? Perhaps this has caused scarring. Where were the fibroids and was there some complication with them that helped you decide on surgery? The Red Clover infusion, not tea, can help heal scarring. If there are more fibroids now, Vitex tincture can help shrink these, as well as help with conception. This is mentioned (Chaste Tree) in the article listed above.

The Fertility Awareness Method can help you even better know your cycles. Many have gotten pregnant with this alone. You can learn about it at www.gardenoffertility.com as well as other places :)

 

Blessings,
Karen Joy

 

Q: Thanks Karen Joy,

I had a Myomectomy, as the Fibroid wouldnt stop bleeding, I'm not exactly sure where it was but the Surgeon couldnt tell me if he would have to perform a Hysterectomy (dont' think thats spelt right) or not until he had performed the operation, I am taking Vitex capsules 2 capsules 400 mg x 2 times a day.

thanks again.

A.

 

A: I have rarely heard of this being offered. It is nice that a doctor, when suggesting surgery would offer this option rather than just hysterectomy. With any surgery of course there is risk of scarring, but I believe this can be healed. Vitex is a wonderful herb. Just as with the Red Clover, though, I feel the tincture is far more helpful, not sure if the capsules will help at all. I presently take Vitex tincture and love it!

love and blessings,
Karen Joy

Comments

[desperate 4 answers]

I am 36 years old, was pregnant having to have a DNC because my baby wasn't growing. I was told this could have happen because of the firbroids I had so I had a Myomectomy in July 2008. Before having this I would have my cycle every month but now it is irregular. After having the surgery in July, I had a cycle in Aug. not having another one until Oct. The next one was Dec. and I have not seen my cycle since Dec 2008. Today is March 3, 2009 and it has been 2 months or so now. What do you call this? Is it from the surgery or am I pre menopausing? This did not start happening until I had the surgery to remove the fibroids. I don't have any children yet.

[KarenJoy]

It is understanding that this is distressing. Both these procedures are very invasive and take time to heal from. How much time depends on each person.

It can be an early menopause, as this can be spurred on from a trauma and you had three - pregnancy loss, D&C, and myomectomy.

i do not know for sure why this is happening for you. it is called, officially, amenorrhea, I would not worry. Work on care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, Have you tried drinking Nettle leaf infusions? These might help. You can read more ideas here: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-104-cessation_menses.htm

Fibroids most often return after being removed. They rarely disrupt a pregnancy, and are usually gone after menopause on their own. You can read more about how to deal with them here: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Article-fibroids.htm Though you had them, or it, removed, the cause remains.

Karen Joy

[Sonia]

I am 36 years old. I did a myomectomy in May 2008. My period came in June 2008. Today is April 15, 2009 and I have not seen my period since June 2008. Is there a problem?

[KarenJoy]

It may be your body adjusting, it may be the stress has shifted your hormone production. Do all you can that is nourishing in the area, loving thoughts and touch, and anything else that feels nourishing. I would not even focus on herbs quite yet, but perhaps soon. This is a major procedure, you need to heal.

Karen Joy

[Maria Cuttle]

I am 44 years old and had a myomectomy for removel of 17 fibroids in my uterus on 5 February 2009. I have had 4 miscarriages (1st Decmber 2003, 2nd July 2005, 3rd April 2008 & 4th October 2008. After the last miscarriage I decided that the fibroids had to go as all the advice I had received prior to that had been that they were not a cause of miscarriages, however I had been taking progesterone supplements, aspirin and injecting with Calxne(? not sure if correct spelling - anticoagulant) for the last 2 pregnancies and the Doctor agreed that perhaps they were causing the miscarriages after all. They weighed just on a kilo, and the largest was 670gm; I had been unable to lie on my tummy for approximately 5 years and my uterus was the size of a 4-5month pregnancy apparently. I have held a lot of anger at the loss of 4 potential children and also at the advice given me by different specialists (4 in total). I now wander whether, having had the myomectomy my fertility has now been affected, being that we have not conceived since the op, and my periods from a lifetime of 28/29 day cycle are now irregular (sometimes 34 day, sometimes 24 day). This of course has thrown out all the ovulation prdictor tests I have been doing too. Obviously my husband and I are concerned at the time factor as the biologiacl clock is picking up pace and it may be that we may not be successful in conceiving let alone carrying to term. Do you have any advice re treatments etc. Can a myomectomy cause infertility? (this is not something I had thought to as my surgeon prior to surgery. I hope to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you in anticipation.

[Regina]

I had a Myomectomy to remove a cyst from my uterus. prior to the surgery i had periods that you could set a clock by, however since the surgery i have had two periods in four months and neither one was regular. Can this surgery cause you to go into menopause?