Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS)

This syndrome was first described by  Dr. Vicki Hufnagel
in 1980. She also created surgical repairs called FRS/PTLS
and medical treatments for this syndrome.

Dr. Hufnagel defined and reported  on this syndrome to peer review medical associations. She also wrote the first papers describing a need to change the informed consent to inform women about this condition. She has continued to provide the latest in clinical research and knowledge in the international health care arena for over 20 years. 

Dr. Hufnagel’s clinical work has linked PTLS with:

• Castrative Menopause
• Severe Hormone Imbalance
• Ovarian Isolation (Post Hysterectomy, Post Tubal Ligation)
• Atrophic Ovaries
• Hormone Shock
• Increased Risk of Heart Disease
• Bone Loss and Osteoporosis
• Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB)
• PMS
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Severe Pelvic Adhesions
• Misplacement of Female Organs
• Decreased Lactating Ability

Ovarian Isolation

Dr. Hufnagel named and described the condition of "Ovarian Isolation".  Ovarian isolation occurs when an ovary is surgically isolated/removed from its blood supply. The isolated ovary becomes atrophic and nonfunctional.  Ovarian isolation commonly occurs after hysterectomy when the ovaries are left in place.  Today women are usually informed at the time of hysterectomy that if their ovaries are left in place they may fail.  Ovarian isolation can and often occurs after tubal ligation.

If both ovaries are removed, or becomes non-functional due to ovarian isolation in a pre-menopausal woman as part an operation, the sudden loss of estrogen will trigger an abrupt premature menopause and hormone shock that may involve severe symptoms of hot flashes, chills, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, loss of sex drive, and heart palpation's.

The surgical removal of both the ovaries, (either by surgical removal or by ovarian isolation)  causes a "surgical menopause", AKA "female castration"

Women are commonly given misinformation that their ovaries will continue to function as normal after a hysterectomy or a tubal ligation. It is true that for some women their ovaries will continue to function as before, but in most causes one or both ovaries will fail due to the blood supply being affected by the ovaries becoming isolated from their blood supply.

Post tubal women are often wrongly told that menopause, ovarian isolation, or the ovaries being affected by lack of blood supply is impossible because the ovaries have 2 sources of blood supply. As you can see in the diagram, just a little more then 1/2 of all women have two sources of blood supply to her ovaries. The other 1/2 have only one source of blood supply to their ovaries.

Women are also commonly misinformed that if one ovary is removed that the remaining ovary will make up for the loss of the other. This is not true.

If one ovary is removed, or becomes non-functional due to ovarian isolation, a hormonal imbalance will occur. The remaining ovary does not begin to make twice as much estrogen as before, and the remaining ovary does not begin to release twice as many eggs as before.

Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome
Symptoms and Effects:

The sudden loss/stoppage of estrogen, hormones, and hormone shock can affect brain function. Confusion, rage, depression, and memory loss that can mimic an alzheimer's type state can manifest. In addition to these symptoms, women who lose both ovaries, or lose the function of their ovaries also lose the protection these hormones provide against heart disease and osteoporosis many years earlier than if they had experienced natural menopause.

Women who have had their ovaries removed or rendered nonfunctional due to ovarian isolation are seven times more likely to develop coronary heart disease and much more likely to develop bone problems at an early age than are pre-menopausal women whose ovaries are intact and functioning.

The loss of hormones can be equal to and even more damaging with its long term outcome as post tubal syndromes immediate effects of bleeding disorders (DUB) and other sudden symptoms.

Female Reconstructive Surgery (FRS) is a specialized surgery which address's the whole woman and all reproductive conditions including that of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS or PTS).

FRS/PTLS was designed by Dr. Hufnagel as an alternative to hysterectomy and as a conservative surgery to correct and restore women's reproductive organs after tubal ligation. FRS for PTS or tubal reversal/repair (TR) addresses both the women's present physical condition as well as her hormonal health. Dr. Hufnagel is the only physician in the world to offer treatment that specially address's the needs of post tubal women suffering from PTLS.

Female Reconstructive Surgery (FRS) is a specialized  surgery which address's the whole woman and all reproductive conditions including that of Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS or PTS). 

FRS was designed by Dr. Hufnagel as an alternative to hysterectomy and as a conservative surgery to repair and restore women's reproductive organs.   FRS/PTLS for PTS or Tubal Repair/Reversal (TR) addresses both the woman's physical condition as well as her hormonal health. 

"One of the most destructive things a woman can do to her body is to undergo sterilization. The sterilization process can cause damage and injury to women's reproductive and other vital organs in a number of ways. These conditions are all addressed with FRS, without the need for hysterectomy." - Dr.VGH

Many PTwomen opt for tubal repair/reversal, if possible, at the time of FRS/PTLS,  but FRS/PTLS is NOT a tubal reversal.  FRS/PTLS is much more then putting the tube(s) back.  The many abnormalities which  can occur that causes symptoms such as pelvic pain and DUB are initially addressed.  FRS address's all the woman's reproductive organs affected or needing repair.  Simply put, tubal reversal does not correct post tubal syndrome (PTS).

Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome (PTLS or PTS), Iatrogenesis, Iatroepidemic, and Ovarian Isolation Defined
Dr. Hufnagel, and the CPTwomen.

Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome: Iatrogenesis affects that create negative health conditions after a tubal ligation or female sterilization surgery. Can be hormonal and or physical in nature. Health changes both physical and hormonal can cause mental health to be affected, causing loss of sexual drive for the woman, memory loss, depression, anger and rage.

Adenomyosis: A common iatrogenesis condition of tubal ligation. Causes dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) and pain.

Adenomyosis: Causes, Cures and Treatments

Andenomyosis is one of the most destructive conditions of the uterus.  The mainstream medical community states that there is no know cause as to why adenomyosis develops in women, that it is never seen in women who have not had children, and this condition is very rarely seen in women under the age of 30.  Dr Hufnagel states the number one cause of adenomyosis is tubal ligation. The standard routine treatment by US surgeons for adenomysis is hysterectomy. 

Dr. Hufnagel, has pioneered several specific operations of import, including Adenomyectomy.  FRS may not always be the optimal treatment for every woman in which case she can elect a traditional hysterectomy procedure. Female Reconstructive Surgery (FRS) is an alternative to hysterectomy for the condition of adenomyosis.

To see surgical photo's from an FRS Adenomyectomy, click here