Ovarian Diathermy

katt_:) · 09-21-2008, 02:40 PM

Has any thin cyster heard of this? It sounds as if this is a possible treatment for the reduction in testosterone production by the ovaries and induction of ovulation. I think I may ask my specialist about this. Any decrease in these ridiculous symptoms is worth surgery in my book.

katt_:) · 09-21-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katt_:)

Has any thin cyster heard of this? It sounds as if this is a possible treatment for the reduction in testosterone production by the ovaries and induction of ovulation. I think I may ask my specialist about this. Any decrease in these ridiculous symptoms is worth surgery in my book.

Here's part of the article I was refering to (from the Jarrett Fertility Group website): In 1998 we treated the first of this group of women with ovarian diathermy. Ovarian diathermy, a procedure first described by Gjönnaess7, involves the cauterization of ovarian stromal tissue using unipolar cautery. This procedure differs significantly from other laparoscopic procedures such as ovarian drilling in that diathermy does not involve destruction of any of the cortical part of the ovary. It is rather, the stromal part of the ovary that produces the excess testosterone and androstenedione that result in PCOS and diathermy results in dramatic reductions in levels of both of these hormones8 and normalization of cycles in a significant percentage of patients.

IzzyB6265 · 09-26-2008, 10:27 AM

Hi Katt!

I am actually scheduled for a grouping of procedures (lap, hsg, hsg, and ovarian diathermy). It is supposed to help a lot & I am hoping it does (XING FINGERS). The diathermy immediately creates balance in ovary hormones. I am truly hoping this will work & will update after the procedure.

katt_:) · 09-27-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IzzyB6265

Hi Katt!

I am actually scheduled for a grouping of procedures (lap, hsg, hsg, and ovarian diathermy). It is supposed to help a lot & I am hoping it does (XING FINGERS). The diathermy immediately creates balance in ovary hormones. I am truly hoping this will work & will update after the procedure.

Good luck...i'll be thinking about you. This procedure sounds very interesting. The one question i have--will drs do this if you are not ttc?

IzzyB6265 · 09-30-2008, 08:11 PM

Sorry I couldnt get back to you right away. I know that my dr. wanted to do the lap & hysteroscopy w/ caut. of endo no matter what. I have been in so much pain with each period since I was a teen. The diathermy...not sure?? However, we did just find out how much it all was going to run from dr.~to~hospital. WOW!!!!!! hope ins. covers it...

HarleyGirl93 · 09-30-2008, 09:41 PM

Katt - I am not a thin cyster, but I am pretty sure this is the same surgery, based on what google returned to me, it sounds exactly like what I had done back in 2006. Although my UK doctor called it ovarian drilling. His procedure was to perform a laprascopic surgery with an incision on my left and right sides and one just under my belly button. He then cauterized the cysts that were on my ovaries with a laser. He explained that by cauterizing (or allowing those cysts to drain) it would break the hormone loop you cycle into with PCOS... and allow your hormones to attain a nearly normal state similar to women without PCOS, which lessens some of the symptoms and induces ovulation. The surgery was covered by my insurance (Tricare) as medically necessary to treat the PCOS condition that I had. Even though I was TTCing, the doctor said that was irrelevant as the surgery was to treat the syndrome, not to help with TTC (although it did).

So a quick history... I went off BCPs in June 2005. Only had 2 periods (Oct & Feb) that lasted 2 weeks each between June and February 2006, Dx with PCOS in Feb 2006, even though I had lost 28 pounds too. Had the surgery on March 27th, 2006. Had a 28 day cycle, with a CD12 ovulation verified by BBT. On my second cycle, Ov'ed on CD12 (again!) and concieved DS. DS was born Feb 14 2007, nearly one year from my Dx. Since DS was born, I am still ovulating. Conceived my second pg after 5 months of TTCing (started TTCing when DS was 9 months), but miscarried. Since the m/c and subsequent D&E, I have cycled several times and still appear to be ovulating, even though it's been 2.5 years from the ovarian drilling surgery. You can see all of my cycles by clicking on the FF link below.

I can't recommend it enough for those who don't mind getting cut open. I don't know what your specific symptoms are, but I will say that the surgery did not help with the excess hair I have, though, it just helped me to ovulate and concieve. The hair sympton went away when I was pg though. I never had acne or some of the other PCOS symptoms that I have read about. Since my weight is higher now, I was having some IR issues, but have gotten that under control with exercise, met and cinnamon. HTH Dianna

katt_:) · 10-01-2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyGirl93

Katt - I am not a thin cyster, but I am pretty sure this is the same surgery, based on what google returned to me, it sounds exactly like what I had done back in 2006. Although my UK doctor called it ovarian drilling. His procedure was to perform a laprascopic surgery with an incision on my left and right sides and one just under my belly button. He then cauterized the cysts that were on my ovaries with a laser. He explained that by cauterizing (or allowing those cysts to drain) it would break the hormone loop you cycle into with PCOS... and allow your hormones to attain a nearly normal state similar to women without PCOS, which lessens some of the symptoms and induces ovulation. The surgery was covered by my insurance (Tricare) as medically necessary to treat the PCOS condition that I had. Even though I was TTCing, the doctor said that was irrelevant as the surgery was to treat the syndrome, not to help with TTC (although it did).

So a quick history... I went off BCPs in June 2005. Only had 2 periods (Oct & Feb) that lasted 2 weeks each between June and February 2006, Dx with PCOS in Feb 2006, even though I had lost 28 pounds too. Had the surgery on March 27th, 2006. Had a 28 day cycle, with a CD12 ovulation verified by BBT. On my second cycle, Ov'ed on CD12 (again!) and concieved DS. DS was born Feb 14 2007, nearly one year from my Dx. Since DS was born, I am still ovulating. Conceived my second pg after 5 months of TTCing (started TTCing when DS was 9 months), but miscarried. Since the m/c and subsequent D&E, I have cycled several times and still appear to be ovulating, even though it's been 2.5 years from the ovarian drilling surgery. You can see all of my cycles by clicking on the FF link below.

I can't recommend it enough for those who don't mind getting cut open. I don't know what your specific symptoms are, but I will say that the surgery did not help with the excess hair I have, though, it just helped me to ovulate and concieve. The hair sympton went away when I was pg though. I never had acne or some of the other PCOS symptoms that I have read about. Since my weight is higher now, I was having some IR issues, but have gotten that under control with exercise, met and cinnamon. HTH Dianna

This isn't a therapy that my dr even mentioned but docs in the us are notorius for that. The reason I wanted to ask you gals about this treatment is because in the article I read, ovarian diathermy sounded different from ovarian drilling. On other websites they sounded the same. I'm still confused. God I hate PCOS.

IzzyB6265 · 10-01-2008, 04:05 PM

I hate it too!!!! I am just stressed out all the time now-ugh. Drilling is different b/c they are draining the cysts. Diathermy is when they go in and caut. sections of the inside ovary, not touching the outer area. The hormones stabalize & it works from the inside~out. Both are very effective from what I've heard!

Harleygirl--your story has given me tons of hope for my surgery coming up!!! thank you for sharing that:-)