Still trying to find out the cause of my iron-deficiency anemia...followed up yesterday with my family dr. (who's terrific), and she started reading me the report that the gastro. dr. had sent back to her regarding the results of my endoscopy, colonoscopy, and small bowel series x-rays. The good news is that all the results were normal, and I do not have any problem with iron absorption.

What I simply could not believe is that the gastro. dr. in the report actually wrote that he thought that I should probably have a hysterectomy, since my periods are somewhat heavy the first two days!

Numerous times, the gastro. dr. has recommended to me that I go on the pill...I have told him that my periods are not that heavy & they haven't changed much since I've been 12 yrs. old!

But, I am outraged at the hysterectomy comment!

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I suppose the gasto. dr. simply doesn't know what's causing my anemia, he's done all his tests, and after all, I'm 44 years old...so, he probably figures, oh, just get rid of everything.

My family dr. was furious, but she told me not to pay the comment much attention. If the gastro. dr. were a woman, that comment probably would not have been made.

I had a similar experience. I'm 43 with three kids. It was my hematologist who uttered the dreader "H word." I looked at him like he had three heads and gave him the BIG thumbs down on THAT suggestion. I never found my periods to be a big issue and voiced that on several occasions in his office. The GI dr couldn't find anything and I ended up going thru a D&C for NO reason!! None of the dr.s can find anything! I did go on a continuous dosage of BC pills to stop my periods altogether. There IS some issue with iron absorption so even if my periods aren't a big deal it was suggested that I not lose any blood as it is difficult for my body to replace it. The pill has helped to keep my Hgl levels higher but it hasn't done squat for my iron levels. I think the dr's just feel compelled to find THE answer and sometimes there just ISN'T one! I get along very well with my doctors now because we all understand one another. BUT, each of us had to voice our opinions loudly before hearing the others! Communication is KEY!!

The only problem is that you are taking BC pills and over 40.

After 40 they have a significant chance of causing a blood clot in your legs, which can cause death or amputation.

Question, especially if you've already had your family? What's worse? A surgury performed thousands of times a year with few to no complications that will eliminate you anemia, or taking a pill which could kill you?