This is the second part of the interview with Dr. Liang regarding the use of UAE in the treatment of adenomyosis. Dr. Liang has a 90 percent success rate at treating adeno through this procedure!!
Tag Archive | pelvic pain
Part 1 of interview with Dr. Eisen Liang, interventional radiologist at the Sydney Fibroid Clinic
Uterine artery embolization can be an effective treatment for adenomyosis. Dr. Eisen Liang explains how this procedure can help women with this uterine disorder:
Adenomyosis Fighters Presents: An Interview with Dr. Natalya Danilyants from The Center for Innovative GYN Care, January 19, 2021
On January 19, 2021, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Natalya Danilyants from the Center for Innovative GYN Care (CIGC).
CIGC is an advanced laparoscopic gynecological surgical practice. It is not a regular OB/GYN practice but rather one that specializes in innovative minimally invasive gynecological surgery. The surgeons have far more experience in this type of surgery than a regular OB/GYN. These world-renowned physicians specifically focus on the surgical treatment of fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and other complex gynecological conditions. Two surgical procedures, Dual Port GYN® and LAAM®, were developed by these surgeons, and their work has been published in well-known medical journals such as The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, and The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
The following are the questions that I asked Dr. Danilyants followed by a summary of her responses (these are not actual quotes):
Q: What is adenomyosis, and how does it differ from endometriosis?
A: Adenomyosis is basically endometriosis of the uterus. Endometriosis occurs outside of the uterus while adenomyosis occurs within the muscle of the uterus.
Q: Two of the major symptoms of adenomyosis are heavy menstrual bleeding and pain. What are some of the other major symptoms that you see in your practice related to this condition?
A: Fertility issues are a big problem. A lot of these women struggle with this issue, and many of these women suffer miscarriages. Bloating is an issue with adenomyosis, but this symptom is also seen in women with endometriosis and fibroids, so it is a rather nonspecific symptom.
Q: What is the difference between an adenomyoma, focal, and diffuse adenomyosis?
A: Diffuse adenomyosis is spread throughout the uterus. There are lots of endometrial glands found throughout the myometrium (uterine muscle). An adenomyoma and a fibroid can look similar; however, an adenomyoma doesn’t have a distinct border while a fibroid does. Because of this, it can be more difficult to completely remove an adenomyoma compared to a fibroid. As an example, if you spill paint on carpet, it seeps into the carpet, and the only way to fix it is to cut out a large portion of the carpet. If you drop playdough on the carpet, you can just pick it up without damaging the carpet. This is the difference between an adenomyoma and a fibroid. As a side note, it is very common for women with fibroids to also have adenomyosis.
Q: Would you comment on risk factors such as age of patient and prior surgery?
A: Multiple C-sections are a big risk factor for this disorder. If a woman has symptoms like heavy bleeding and pain, and she also has a history of multiple C-sections, I immediately think of adenomyosis. Although older women with a history of prior surgery are at increased risk of adenomyosis, it has recently been noted that younger women may also be affected. In fact, younger women without a history of prior surgery have also been diagnosed with this disorder.
Q: What is the best way to diagnose this disorder?
A: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best way to diagnose adenomyosis. This imaging tool looks at the thickness of the junctional zone. A thickness of greater than 10-11 mm is generally diagnostic. Subendometrial cysts and/or pockets of blood may also be visible. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) may be useful, but it depends on the extent of the disease and the experience of the sonographer.
Q: Are any other abnormalities observed along with adenomyosis?
A: Fibroids and endometriosis are commonly observed in patients with adenomyosis. Endometrial polyps are very common benign endometrial growths, and I don’t consider them to be commonly associated with adenomyosis.
Q: Is adenomyosis considered to be an autoimmune condition?
A: Not exactly. The body isn’t attacking itself but is rather having an inflammatory reaction to the presence of adenomyosis.
Q: Would you please comment on CA125 levels in adenomyosis? (I explained that when I mentioned CA125 levels are elevated in adenomyosis in my support group, some of the members became anxious because elevated CA125 levels can be an indication of ovarian cancer.)
A: CA125 levels are usually mildly elevated in adenomyosis; however, it is also mildly elevated in other conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids. I do not think the blood test is necessary in women with suspected endometriosis or adenomyosis. In these cases, CA-125 will likely be mildly elevated, and not only does it create anxiety for the patient, but it is also not helpful in the treatment or decision-making process.
Q: Would you discuss the best treatment options for adenomyosis?
A: The only cure for adenomyosis is hysterectomy. Other treatments are just temporary solutions. If a patient is young and wants to preserve fertility, pharmaceutical treatments such as birth control pills, GnRH analogs, aromatase inhibitors, progestins, and the Mirena are all options, but they are only temporary solutions. Eventually symptoms will get worse without hysterectomy. GnRH analogs and aromatase inhibitors also put patients in temporary menopause which results in significant side effects.
Q: Is uterine artery embolization (UAE) helpful?
A: No. This procedure is not helpful, especially in diffuse adenomyosis. UAE cuts off blood supply to portions of the uterus. For example, UAE can cut off the blood supply to a fibroid which will cause it to shrink. However, in women with diffuse adenomyosis, the blood supply would have to be basically cut off for the entire uterus. This is just not possible.
Q: Is there any reason for a woman with adenomyosis to undergo an endometrial ablation? (I explained to Dr. Danilyants that I failed an endometrial ablation and have learned since that time that in general, an endometrial ablation is not recommended in women with adenomyosis.)
A: No. This procedure has been noted to cause severe pain in women with adenomyosis, so I would not recommend performing an endometrial ablation on women with adenomyosis.
Q: In general, what type of hysterectomy is recommended for women with adenomyosis?
A: It depends on the patient. If the woman with adenomyosis has a history of ovarian cancer in her family, for example, I would remove the ovaries along with the uterus and fallopian tubes. If the patient only has adenomyosis without any other history of reproductive issues, I will take the uterus and the fallopian tubes only.
Q: In your opinion, is there any use for bioidentical progesterone cream in the treatment of adenomyosis?
A: Not really. This is generally produced by compounding pharmacists, and there are many times problems with dosage. It’s not a good idea to try these alternative hormonal treatments without supervision by a doctor. There was a woman I knew who tried using testosterone pellets to help treat her reproductive issues. She eventually developed male-pattern baldness. Little did she know that she was creating this problem herself by taking these pills!
Q: Have you heard about any benefit of using omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce symptoms of adenomyosis? (I explained that I had success in reducing pain by taking flaxseed.)
A: No, I haven’t. But alternative therapies and diet changes can help. Our wellness center uses alternative therapies to help women with reproductive disorders such as adenomyosis. It is important for women to maintain a healthy weight because obese women produce more estrogen. Testosterone (woman do produce a small amount of this hormone) is converted into estrogen in fatty tissues; therefore, heavier women will produce more estrogen which can exacerbate adenomyosis.
Please note: Nutritional counseling is available through CIGC and can be done virtually. In order to take advantage of this, the patient needs to have a consultation with Dr. Danilyants so that a treatment plan can be developed.
Q: Please explain the Dual Port GYN® procedure that is done at CIGC.
A: The Dual Port GYN® refers to laparoscopic retroperitoneal hysterectomy. During a regular laparoscopic hysterectomy performed by an OB/GYN, three incisions are made – 1 near the belly button (this is where the camera is inserted), and two on each side of the abdomen. The two incisions made on each side of the abdomen cut through muscle and may cut small blood vessels. This results in pain and bleeding. The Dual Port GYN® uses 2 incisions – one at the belly button and one low on the abdomen. The cuts are made in between muscles instead of through them. This results in less pain and bleeding and a shorter recovery time. In addition, this outpatient surgery had a 0% conversion rate to open surgery in a recent study.
Q: Please explain the LAAM® procedure that is done at CIGC.
A: LAAM® stands for laparoscopic-assisted abdominal myomectomy. This surgery is performed for the removal of fibroids. It is a combination of a laparoscopy and open surgery. LAAM® is like the Dual Port GYN®, but the incision low on the abdomen is a little bit larger. Through this incision, I can feel the uterus to locate all the fibroids. Surgeons are not able to do this during a regular laparoscopy. In fact, many fibroids are missed during a regular laparoscopy whereas most if not all fibroids would be able to be located and removed during the LAAM® procedure. In addition, many women with very large uteri are often told that surgery is not an option for them. We can operate on a large uterus with the LAAM® procedure, so surgery is now available for these women.
Q: Would you comment on your Second Opinion GYN Program?
A: We are always willing to give second opinions to patients who are unsure of their diagnosis. This can be done virtually or in person. Our goal is to provide women with the information that they need to make the best health care decision for them, even if that means not having their procedure with us.
Q: Would you comment on advanced procedures that are done at CIGC?
A: We can remove bowel adhesions that have formed as a result of these complex gynecological problems, and we also can perform bowel and bladder repair.
I confirmed the location of CIGC office with Dr. Danilyants. They have four offices:
Rockville, MD
Reston, VA
Manhattan, NY
Montclair, NJ (just across the state line to New York)
For more information and/or to set up a consultation with CIGC, please visit www.innovativegyn.com or call 1-888-SURGERY.
I want to thank Dr. Natalya Danilyants, Mysba Regis, Andrew Tran, and the rest of the CIGC team for setting up this interview and for partnering with Adenomyosis Fighters to bring more awareness to adenomyosis!
Natalya E. Danilyants, M.D., is board-certified in gynecology. Along with Paul MacKoul, M.D., Dr. Danilyants developed and perfected the DualPortGYN® and LAAM® advanced gynecological surgical techniques used to treat complex GYN conditions such as endometriosis and fibroids. Dr. Danilyants received her fellowship training in advanced retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery through the exclusive Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES) fellowship program, which offered fewer than 10 positions nationally. Dr. Danilyants was accepted into the EES program after completing her residency at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she served as chief resident. Through the fellowship program, Dr. Danilyants practiced an additional three years at the Women’s Surgery Center (WSC). At WSC, Dr. Danilyants was the director of advanced retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery and developed a very successful practice, performing more than 4,000 GYN surgeries for all indications.
Experience
Dr. Danilyants is a co-founder of The Center for Innovative GYN Care® (CIGC®). She is also the former division chief of minimally invasive GYN surgery at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, as well as a former assistant clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. She received numerous awards for her exceptional surgical skill and care, including the Outstanding Laparoendoscopic Award in 2007, the AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) Award for Special Excellence in Endoscopic Procedures in 2008, and the Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Designated Surgeon in 2012. She was honored to receive a Patient’s Choice Award and Compassionate Doctor Recognition by her patients for her excellent care and compassionate bedside manner. She was named a Rising Star in the 2013 Super Doctors Edition of The Washington Post Magazine.
Education
- Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, 2004
- Residency: George Washington University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 2008
- Fellowship: Ethicon Johnson & Johnson Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Washington, D.C., 2009
- Board Certifications: Gynecology
Publications
Our board-certified GYN surgery specialists have been published in national and international scholarly journals and have proven the effectiveness of their innovative DualPortGYN and LAAM techniques.
Brand New Book on Adenomyosis!!
New for 2020!!
Now available on Amazon:
Adenomyosis: The Women Speak
by Maria Yeager
This book contains the results of questionnaires that were posted in the Adenomyosis Fighters Support Group on Facebook over the course of 1 1/2 years. Hear what adenomyosis is really like from the women who are forced to deal with it on a daily basis!! Paperback and Kindle versions available.
Endometriosis in the psoas major muscle
A very interesting article on endometriosis that was found in the psoas muscle. Just another case that shows endometriosis can be found in just about any area of the body. Recommended reading….thanks to Lisa at Bloomin Uterus!!
An article was published on October 30, 2016 in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, which caught my interest. We know that Endometriosis can grow in a lot of places ot…
A Wonderful Article on Motherhood, Infertility, and Adenomyosis by Sari Botton
Sari Botton contacted me on Saturday and generously sent me this article. She thought I would be interested in reading it since she struggled with adenomyosis. This wonderful piece was published in the New York Times on Friday, October 28, and it is an honest and heartfelt article on her ambivalent feelings on motherhood and her struggle through infertility and adenomyosis. Thank you so much, Sari, for sharing the details of your difficult journey…I know it will help so many women out there who are struggling with the same issues. The link to her article in the NY times is below – read it…you’ll be glad you did!
Parabens & Endometriosis — Bloomin’ Uterus
Another excellent article from Bloomin’ Uterus. She mentions flaxseed also in this article and how she avoids it. I have always promoted the use of flax with endo and adeno as I had tremendous symptom relief during my struggle. However, as I recently discovered, there are some concerns with its use. After reading all the evidence, I still personally do promote the use of flax, and I will get into this in much more detail in a future blog. In the meantime, read up on parabens – it is really important to avoid the use of this type of xenoestrogen as much as possible! Thanks, Lisa, for another informative article!
What are Parabens? Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in consumer products. Why are they Bad for Us? If you happen to suffer from Endometriosis, or any other estrogen-driven condition (like breast cancer), please be aware that parabens mimic estrogen. Just like soy. Just like flax. Parabens are an “endocrine disruptor,” which alters our body’s hormone […]
Reader’s Choice : Endometrial Polyps — Bloomin’ Uterus
Great article on endometrial polyps from one of my fav blogs – Bloomin’ Uterus! Endometrial polyps can occur with adenomyosis, and it is important to be educated on this disorder. I personally had a uterine polyp removed via hysteroscopy during the years that I struggled with adeno. I highly recommend this article – full of great info!
One of our local EndoSisters has recently been diagnosed with endometrial polyps, something I know absolutely nothing about. So what happens when I know nothing? I research! What is a polyp? A polyp is an abnormal overgrowth of tissue, usually a lump, bump, or stalky growth (hence the mushrooms above). They’re most commonly found in the colon, […]
Emotional Aspects of Adenomyosis and Endometriosis
Today I would like to address some common misconceptions about adenomyosis/endometriosis and how these misconceptions dramatically impact the emotional/mental well-being of its victims. I have heard and read so many comments – ignorant comments – by those who don’t have the disorder that dramatically add to the depression and anxiety that these women have to endure. Here are some examples:
- You need to go to a psychologist. You just need an antidepressant.
- They’re just bad cramps. All women go through it. Why can’t you?
- You’re just being a baby about it. You’re weak.
- It’s all in your head.
- Just get more exercise. Go to the gym and it will all get better.
- Your diet is to blame. If you ate better, you would feel better.
- It’s all stress related. You just need to relax.
OK, so let’s address these comments one by one.
- Adenomyosis is not a psychological problem. Anyone who tells you that it is doesn’t know what they are talking about. Years ago, this belief was prevalent, but today we know that adenomyosis and endometriosis are NOT normal, and these disorders can be pathologically proven. Endometrial implants have actually been visualized in multiple places outside of the uterus in the case of endometriosis, and adenomyosis can be visualized as invading the uterine muscle. These disorders can be seen and are real!
- Adenomyosis and endometriosis are not just “bad cramps”. These disorders also cause very heavy menstrual bleeding with large clots, bowel and bladder issues, prolonged menstrual bleeding (many times up to 14 days), anemia, and infertility.
- There is absolutely nothing “weak” about dealing with adenomyosis and endometriosis. This comment many times is made by men, and they have absolutely no idea what it is like to live with an “angry” uterus. Until the day that a man is born with a uterus, the following comment by Rachel from the TV show Friends stands – “no uterus, no comment!”
- Adenomyosis is not in your head. Refer to #1.
- Adenomyosis involves endometrial tissue growing into the uterine muscle. Endometriosis involves endometrial tissue migrating outside of the uterus. No amount of exercise will change this process. This misplaced endometrial tissue will not magically return to its proper location just because you exercised for an hour. Don’t get me wrong – exercise is always a good thing. But exercise will not cure these conditions. In addition, during the height of an adenomyosis or endometriosis attack, women do not feel well enough to exercise. It is very easy to say “just exercise” when the person saying it doesn’t deal with either of these disorders.
- Now, this one has a bit of truth to it. Diet has been shown to reduce symptoms in some cases. However, diet is not a cure. Again, nothing dietary has been shown to definitely change the course of either disorder. Even so, there are some changes that can be made that seem to help some of the symptoms. Refer to my page, http://www.adenofighters.com, for more information.
- Again, relaxing may help reduce some of the symptoms, but it is not a cure. These endometrial implants will not just disappear just because a woman “relaxes”.
It is so important to understand that both adenomyosis and endometriosis are pathological processes, and the cause is currently unknown as is any cure. People who are around women who suffer from these disorders need to be acutely aware of this. Please don’t make these kinds of comments as they seriously impact their emotional and mental health. It is hard enough to deal with these disorders on a daily basis – the last thing they need is someone who doesn’t deal with adenomyosis/endometriosis to tell them how to “cure” themselves. There is no known cure at the current time except for hysterectomy in the case of adenomyosis. A hysterectomy will not cure endometriosis.
Relaxation Techniques/TENS
Learning to do some of the following relaxation techniques may help you to deal more effectively with the stress that comes along with having to deal with adenomyosis. I have added my own comments about which techniques worked for me during the time I was suffering from this disorder. Some of the techniques work better than others for different people, so just try them out and see which ones work best for you.
1. Meditation
2. Visualization – when I was overly stressed, I would shut my eyes, focus on relaxing and picture myself on a beautiful white sandy beach, and the ocean was clear blue. I would listen to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, feel the breeze on my face, and feel the sun beat down on me. I was the only one there, so no other sounds were heard except for the waves and an occasional sea gull calling. This was very effective in calming me down. You can picture any setting – just think about whatever place you would want to be at that particular moment.
3. Deep breathing – I used this technique when I was in the middle of an attack. I would concentrate completely on taking deep breaths, and I think this actually kept me from passing out! But it also helps tremendously in calming yourself down.
4. Chamomile tea – in addition to the presence of phytoestrogens, chamomile has been shown to be a great relaxant herb.
5. Observe your surroundings – on nice sunny days, I make it a point to go outside and just look. Look at the trees, flowers, birds in the air. The world is a beautiful place if you take the time to just look.
6. Social interaction and physical contact – spending time with others is a wonderful way to raise your spirits. Physical contact doesn’t even have to be with another person – just petting your dog or cat has been shown to reduce stress levels.
7. Classical music – research has shown that listening to 30 minutes of classical music has the relaxation effect of 10 mg. Valium.
8. Think positive – a great idea that came from my counselor is a gratitude journal. Think of 5 things that you are thankful for everyday and write them down in a journal every morning. A great way to start your day!
9. Progressive muscle relaxation – I do this in bed at night as I’m falling asleep. Focus on one muscle group at a time. Tighten that muscle and then relax. Move on to the next muscle group. The thing that shocked me about this technique is that it made me very aware of how tense I was without realizing it. My shoulders and face muscles were already tight – I just had to focus on relaxing them!
10. Yoga/tai chi – yoga is a well known technique used to reduce stress and anxiety. It improves overall fitness and health, lowers blood pressure and improves heart function. Tai Chi is also know as “meditation in motion”. In addition to its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, it has been shown to help with many different medical problems such as heart issues and arthritis.
11. Acupuncture – this technique has been shown to reduce pain and nausea. It may be a useful tool for those who do not want to rely on pain medications for pain relief.
12. Soak in a warm tub
13. Use a heating pad on your abdomen
TENS
Tens, or trascutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a technique used to treat chronic pain by using electrical impulses to stimulate nerves. Although studies on its effectiveness are conflicting, it is generally accepted as a somewhat effective way to treat chronic pain.
TENS is often confused with EMS. EMS, or electrical muscle stimulation, stimulates nerves whereas TENS actually blocks nerve pain signals.
TENS has been shown to help all kinds of chronic pain, but most importantly for purposes of this website, it has been shown to help with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
When using a TENS unit, make sure to read all directions and warnings. Skin irritation can possibly result from use. Also, its use is contraindicated if you are pregnant or if you have a pacemaker.
Adenomyosis Fighters 