Tamoxifen & Fibroids. Hysterectomy scheduled

I can relate to your concern. I've had two myomectomies, one in the 90s, one in 2009, to remove fibroids. Because I believe our uteri are functioning organs beyond simply being baby incubators--research suggests they secrete prostaglandins which help protect our heart and circulatory system--I opted both times to keep mine and not have it yanked out, thereby also decreasing my risk for vaginal and other prolapses later in life as well (those female organs keep things "tucked" up better inside us too).

But hysterectomies are a choice, and often we can't find skilled surgeons to leave the uterus but remove the fibroids (the way I felt, my uterus was fine, it was the fibroids causing the problems). I was lucky to find a surgeon who would remove the fibroids and leave my uterus; I had multiples of them both times, and both times I recovered. The surgery is tricky and often more risky, but I was glad I went this direction.

However, we still have small amounts of estrogen circulating in our system even when we are menopausal. I don't think we ever go completely without estrogen.

If tamoxifen reduces circulating estrogen, and fibroids are fed by estrogen, which they are, I don't see a correlation to your fibroid and taking tamox.

Hopefully others will weigh in on it.

Tamoxifen does not reduce circulating estrogen. The way it reduces breast cancer risk is by binding to the estrogen receptors on breast cells so the real estrogen cannot. It has different effects in different parts of the body. It is antiestrogenic on breast tissue, but hyperestrogenic on the uterus.

One thing to ask the Gyn is whether the cervix can be spared in order to reduce the chance of future problems.

I had a total hysterectomy in November 15, because of two large fibroids 9 and 5 cm. I think that it was a problem that started before the Tamoxifen as I was having a lot of painful cycles over a year prior to starting it. I only kept one ovary to help with bone and heart health and have had no problems with hot flashes or mood swings. I feel great and am relieved from the back and pelvic pain I was having. Have you asked your doctor if they would keep your ovaries? Ask your MO if it would help with recurrance if ovaries were removed. I am ER/PR positive to, but I was told that removing or suppressing ovaries has a slight benefit and not worth the side effects

Hi JJOntario, re cervix, yes, I think so. I just remember doing vast amounts of research in 2009 before my decision to have the second myomectomy and finding that vaginal prolapse is a real concern with uterine removal. BTW, I had 89 fibroids (I am not making that up) removed at Mayo Hospital during the second myomectomy. Stands to reason that the bc found 2 years later was about 1000% ER+!!!

My yearly paps are interesting; my uterus is now so small that they have to find it using an ultrasound when they do an internal exam to check my ovaries (since I'm ILC, bc likes to migrate to female organs like that). Last time the tech tried to do an internal US and asked me if I still had my uterus. I said yes, explained that I had dozens of fibroids removed, and she had to use the US wand on my lower abdomen to check my uterus!

C

I logged on to recommend hystersisters and I see you have found them. Yes, keeping the cervix may help avoid a prolapsed bladder. Also, my gynecologist said the cervix has a role in lubrication. One more thing--there may be a link between fibroids and low vitamin D, at least for some people. So getting your 25 OH-D checked and supplementing with D3 if indicated might help. Also, can your gynecologist use Lupron to shrink the fibroids enough that a smaller type of surgery could be done?