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If you were going about it in a different manner...
by Diana
You know Susan...if you want the chat transcripts, then copy them yourself. Our chat was very peacable and we were discussing support issues. When you got there, your first post was offering to answer questions about Dr H...and the topic was totally lost. If you care, then you should act like it, instead of coming across so cold natured. For the record, I did not call her a quack or fraud. You did...I do happen to agree, though.
In response to your post of:
I question though why you find the politics so offensive. What is the purpose of giving women only support if changes are not made in how women in the future are informed?
I found SEVERAL web sites that give information on the risks of most of the symptoms of PTLS. You say women are not informed, but if they are not informed, it is because they have not researched as deeply as they should, because the info is already out there.
Here are the ones I have collected that are not connected with your site, and only took about 30 minutes of internet research to find: http://brainphysics.com/guide/sterile.html
Although sterilization may seem an attractive alternative to reversible methods, as it dispenses with the need for forethought and planning before sex, it has its own set of drawbacks. It is expensive, costing between $1,000 and $3,000. Sterilization requires exacting abdominal surgery and anesthesia, both of which carry health risks. Surgical complications include infection and uterine perforation. The medical risks multiply if a hysterectomy is performed for sterilization (as opposed to simply treating the fallopian tubes); hysterectomy should never be used for this purpose. Long term health risks of sterilization include ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer, menstrual cycle disturbances (increased bleeding and pain), and gynecological problems necessitating hysterectomy.
http://www.health24.co.za/Default.asp?action=article&ContentID=12376
Many women who have had their tubes tied (tubal ligation) say they are suffering side effects that range from irregular periods and incontinence to bleeding gums and depression. Some even say that that the surgery leaves them post-menopausal.
Yet medical experts say that ‘post-tubal ligation syndrome’ does not exist – the same thing that was said of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia twenty years ago. Now both are considered true disorders that can be diagnosed.
http://www.ccli.org/contraception/tubal.shtml
What are the long-term health risks?
Apart from these immediate complications of surgery post-tubal problems are so frequent they are now called "post tubal ligation syndrome." A review of the literature on post-tubal ligation problems by Drs. Joel Hargrove and Guy Abraham revealed an incidence of long-term complications in as many as 22 to 37% of sterilized women.9
Dr. Vicki Hufnagel, a surgeon who specializes in restoring women’s reproductive organs, has written "Many post-tubal patients who come to my office seeking relief complain bitterly if more severe cramps, heavier. longer periods, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, pain with intercourse, and pelvic pain or pressure."10
A study in Britain followed 374 post-tubal patients and found that 43% had subsequent gynecological treatment for such conditions as heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual disturbances requiring hormonal treatments, cervical erosion, ovarian tumors, and recanalization of the fallopian tubes requiring a second operation.11
Another British study of tubal ligation found a 40% increase in menstrual blood loss; 26% of the group experienced increased menstrual pain. Women who had used the Pill before their tubal ligation reported more of these complains than other patients.12
A study by James G. Tappan found a 40.7% incidence of menorrhagia and suggested that cystic degeneration of the ovary may result from interruption of blood flow from the uterine artery.13 A longitudinal study of over 8,000 women five years after their tubal ligations found 49% of them suffered heavy periods and 35% reported an increase of severe menstrual cramping.14 The risk of cervical cancer among a study of 489 post-tubal women was 3.5 times the normal rate.15
As mentioned previously, many couples attempt to have sterilization reversed, though fewer than half of reversals are functionally successful.16 Women who do achieve pregnancy after the reversal of tubal ligation face anywhere from a 4% to 64% increased risk of tubal pregnancy, a life-threatening and psychologically wrenching experience. The rate of risk depended on the procedure used. 17
Furthermore, it is difficult to assess the health risks involved when women voluntarily forego the benefits of future pregnancies. Greater risks of ovarian cancer18and endometrial cancer19are associated with having few or no children.
What are the risks of subsequent hysterectomy?
There is an increased incidence of women with tubal ligations undergoing subsequent hysterectomy due to severe menstrual problems-18.7% among one group of 374 patients.20 In a study of long-term risk, women aged 20 to 29 years who had tubal ligations were found to be 3.4 times as likely to have a subsequent hysterectomy.21
Is there a connection with PMS?
Tubal ligation is also a risk factor for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Katarina Dalton, M.D., found of the world’s first PMS clinic stated, "Recently, it has been recognized that Premenstrual Syndrome often increases in intensity following tubal ligation...After women had the simple operation to block their fallopian tubes, they subsequently produced less progesterone from their ovaries ."22 This has been confirmed by other research23
The ovaries function poorly as a result of the disruption of blood supply to them; elevated levels of estrogen and inadequate progesterone may explain the heavier bleeding and cramping that often follow female sterilization.24
Because tubal ligations are frequently done after the delivery of a child , conditions such as ordinary postpartum depression may mask the connection with PMS in short term studies. Progesterone levels before and after tubal ligation are an area yet to be studied.25
Weight gain following tubal ligation is commonly reported but it also has not been the subject of research.
What are the psychological side effects?
Although each year approximately a million Americans choose sterilization for birth control purposes, 26long-range studies of the psychological effects of sterilization are difficult to find. However, Premenstrual Syndrome is well-known for its mentally disorienting and emotionally devastating effects. It has even been used successfully as an "insanity" defense in criminal trials.
When a woman takes such an irrevocable course of action, it is psychologically difficult to admit that a mistake has been made. This explains why patients who experience difficulties with sterilization still respond in surveys that they are "satisfied" with the procedure. "The need to convince ourselves is served by convincing others," noted one researcher.27
Now, if you were trying to get everyone to write to the medical board, or their state reps, I would be on your bandwaggon, but you post of lawyers and courts, and you only have one ill-reputed X-Doctor on your side! Also, as stated before, you put the political issues first, which is WRONG. The support issues should come FIRST. Help these women get their emotions together, so that they are well enough to take a political stance and be taken seriously...not as a bunch of nut cases, which is what we all feel like most of the time.
Please note: Diagnosis of health/medical conditions are not made by, www.tubal.org, the Coalition for Post Tubal Women (CPTwomen) or by any of its associates. The "Campaign to Inform", is an informational and educational program only. No treatment or prescribing is provided. This forum is offered only as a support network and as an educational tool to learn from each others experiences. You are advised to obtain the services of a physician or health care professional if the need for medical treatment is indicated.
