Academic OB/GYN

As many of you know, I spend a fair amount of time involved in social media outlets, particularly with efforts to support and educate women struggling with endometriosis.   Women with this condition are fortunate to have access to a variety of very active and vigorous advocacy and education groups, and in these groups there is a lot of great information.  At the same time, I occasionally note in these groups that there can be some passionate views, and at times I think that there is some incomplete information being passed around.  Perhaps the biggest area I see this in when the topic of hysterectomy for endometriosis is discussed.

Typically the exchange goes like this:

“I have been struggling with endometriosis for X years and have Y symptoms, and my doctor has recommended a hysterectomy.”

Very quickly (within seconds usually) there will be the response

“Hysterectomy does not treat endometriosis”

or even
“HYSTERECTOMY DOES NOT TREAT ENDOMETRIOSIS!!”

This always rubs me the wrong way.   This is not because it is wrong, but because it is incomplete.  Read more…