"Ovarian Isolation"
One Untold Risk of Tubal Ligation
Ovarian isolation, as described by Dr. Hufnagel, MD, is a condition when an
ovary (or both ovaries) becomes isolated from its blood supply. The ovary becomes atrophic
and non functional due to its life giving blood supply being affected.
Ovarian isolation is most talked about as being a side effect of hysterectomy when the
uterus is removed
and the ovaries are left in place. Most women today are informed at the time of
hysterectomy that if their
ovaries are left they may fail.
Women are not informed that ovarian isolation is a risk of a tubal ligation (TL), or that
they could possibly
experience a hormonal imbalance which may require hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for
life in order
to function normally.
The cause of ovarian isolation (which then causes a hormonal imbalance) is veins,
arteries, and
capillaries (the blood supply) to the ovaries and uterus can be and often are affected at
the time of TL
surgery. Ovarian isolation can happen to one or both ovaries at the time of tubal ligation
because it is
the nature of the TL surgery. The TL surgery does not have to be "botched" in
order to experience
ovarian isolation or some form of post tubal syndrome (PTS). PTS and ovarian isolation can
occur with
banding and clips, but is much more prevalent with the medical communities preferred
method and
practice of burning the fallopian tubes.
If both ovaries become isolated and fail it is the same as female castration or surgical
menopause. If not
treated you can experience "hormone shock" (a sudden abrupt change/stop of
hormones causing a
shock to your system). As time goes on a severe hormonal imbalance of this type can cause
accelerated bone loss and other disabling effects such as loss of libido and sex drive,
painful intercourse
(because of vaginal dryness), hot flashes and or chills.
The effect of the sudden loss of hormones also effects the way our brains function and can
cause
memory loss, confusion, out bursts of rage (uncontrollable PMS), depression, dizzy spells,
and loss of
balance.
Long term loss of ovarian function(untreated) in young women puts them at risk for earlier
and more
severe cases of osteoporosis, (bone loss), and heart disease (HD) (dying of heart
attack/stroke). The
immediate affects of depression, fatigue, and loss of sex drive can greatly affect her
family and social
life.
The few doctors who are willing to publicly comment on ovarian isolation happening at the
time of TL
states that the risk is very low and not even worth mentioning.
Dr. Hufnagel states that the numbers of women who are affected by total castration (both
ovaries
affected) may be low, but that the that the numbers of women affected by some sort of PTS
(the loss of
one ovary, irregular bleeding, DUB, hormonal imbalance, etc...) is more then 50%. The
CPTwomen
believes that the numbers are much higher then 50%. This information is broadly elaborated
upon and
explained at the CTPWomen Members Site.If you are a post tubal women, especially if you
are
experiencing PTS, hormonal, or menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, we strongly urge
you to get
hormone tested. First of all it's a good idea for ALL women to have base line hormone
level information
on file. Hormone shock or a hormone imbalance can come on slowly. Because a hormonal
imbalance
can affect the way we think and function and because you can't visually see it, it's
possible to be
experiencing an imbalance and not even realize it. The only way to know for sure is to be
tested.
The photo here is from the real and true case of
Susan J Bucher. Both of
Susan's ovaries were affected by ovarian isolation at the time of her tubal ligation
(TL).
The time span shown is less
then 3 years starting when she was 34 years old. (animation
may not work correctly with the netscape browser) Susan
did not have her TL at the time of a birth. "Before my TL I was having regular
cycles. After my TL they became very light (irregular) and then they
stopped. It was a very noticeable difference". Susan describes the time
between her TL and being diagnosed as "pure hell".
"Before my tubal ligation my health was excellent. I played tennis and was
very active. After my tubal ligation I became very sick. I was always
tired. I experienced hot flashes and sudden chills (as one would if they were in
shock). I had complete loss of sexual drive, vaginal dryness and
soreness, loss of memory, dizzy spells, loss of balance, rage, depression, and
confusion. The skin on my face became dry, thin, and started to wrinkle. Not
only was my vaginal area and facial skin affected but also my eyes, mouth and nasal area
became dry. I developed chronic sinus (requiring repeated antibiotic
treatments). My dental health was affected and my eyesight was affected. I
experienced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As time
went on the symptoms got worse, not better. My failing health was very alarming, and
I was very scared. I though that I was developing
Alzheimer's".
At age 36 she was diagnosed as being post menopausal.
After Susan learned that her
menopausal condition most certainly was caused by her TL, she sought legal representation
and filed suit on the doctor for causing her surgical menopausal condition which requires
her to remain on HRT for life to function normally, for not informing her of the risk of
ovarian isolation, and for not taking action to diagnose or to treat her.
"If I had been tested and
diagnosed when I first returned to the doctor complaining of failing health and missing
periods I would have been saved years of being sick. Every time I returned to him he
told me that I was fine and that there was nothing to worry about. I would have
avoided the throws of hormone shock, I wouldn't of had major bone loss, and I wouldn't
of gotten as sick as I did, and my relationship with my husband wouldn't of been
affected in the way it was."
On 7-21-98 (at the age of
37) Susan had a 2nd surgery to gather data and information (ovarian tissue biopsy and
photos) to present to the Illinois Court for this court case and also to
present to the Illinois Department of Regulations (DPR).
On 7-21-99 Susan filed suit on
the doctor who performed this 2nd surgery for fraud, misrepresentation, battery, creating
false medical records, obstruction of justice, withholding medical records, for not doing
the surgical procedures consented to (ovarian tissue biopsy), and for doing surgical
procedures that were not consented to which constitutes more battery and rape.
