Multiple surgeries aren’t the best care for endometriosis. Ask Lena Dunham | Jason Abbott

Many people with endometriosis are being treated with surgeries that could increase pain

Thirty-one-year-old women who have not yet had the opportunity to have a family of their own should not have to make a decision to have a hysterectomy. Yet for Lena Dunham, who has had a major surgery almost every second year of her adult life, felt compelled to do so. Women and girls with endometriosis may have severe disease and for many this seems like the only option. However, there are a number of issues around this situation that need clarification.

Endometriosis is a disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This often means that the uterus itself is a normal and healthy organ and in fact, removing that normal and healthy organ may have little impact on a woman’s pain if the other pelvic disease is not also removed. Now there are situations where the uterus may be affected by a similar disease process called adenomyosis, and this condition may be improved by hysterectomy, or alternative and conservative treatments including hormones.

Related: Lena Dunham has total hysterectomy because of endometriosis

Related: What is endometriosis? A guide

Related: Greg Hunt apologises to women with endometriosis and announces action plan

Continue reading... February 19, 2018 at 09:17AM