Uterus1: How do you talk to patients about infertility?
Dr. Rodney Halvorsen: Infertility is a very sensitive subject. Patients usually have seen multiple doctors and have had have multiple tests. They have significant illnesses or surgeries that prevented them from having that family they have always dreamed of with their partner. So physicians need to be cognitive that this is a very emotional disease. If we look at the whole picture, we can often assist the family and visit different types of additional treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or even adoption if that is what works for that family. With hysterectomies, I think unfortunately, sometimes in the past they had a bad reputation for being the only thing physicians were offering. Now with a hysterectomy you have to explain to the patient why you feel there is no other alternative, particularly if there is cancer involved. Hysterectomy, when used properly, does have a role, but there are a lot of other alternatives. We didn’t have these before.
Dr. Rodney Halvorsen: Infertility is a very sensitive subject. Patients usually have seen multiple doctors and have had have multiple tests. They have significant illnesses or surgeries that prevented them from having that family they have always dreamed of with their partner. So physicians need to be cognitive that this is a very emotional disease. If we look at the whole picture, we can often assist the family and visit different types of additional treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or even adoption if that is what works for that family. With hysterectomies, I think unfortunately, sometimes in the past they had a bad reputation for being the only thing physicians were offering. Now with a hysterectomy you have to explain to the patient why you feel there is no other alternative, particularly if there is cancer involved. Hysterectomy, when used properly, does have a role, but there are a lot of other alternatives. We didn’t have these before.
Dr. Rodney Halvorsen
Dr. Rodney J. Halvorsen completed his undergraduate education at the University of California – San Diego, and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. He also completed his internship and residency in OB/GYN at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Halvorsen researched the use of hysteroscopy to diagnose causes of uterine bleeding versus the gold standard D&C. He is currently in private practice at Holy Family Memorial’s Lakeshore Women’s Health in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Dr. Rodney Halvorsen
Dr. Rodney J. Halvorsen completed his undergraduate education at the University of California – San Diego, and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. He also completed his internship and residency in OB/GYN at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is a board certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Halvorsen researched the use of hysteroscopy to diagnose causes of uterine bleeding versus the gold standard D&C. He is currently in private practice at Holy Family Memorial’s Lakeshore Women’s Health in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Disclaimer:
The information provided within this website is for educational purposes
only and is not a substitute for consultation with your physician or healthcare
provider. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the
Owners and Sponsors of this site. By using this site you agree to indemnify,
and hold the Owners and Sponsors harmless, from any disputes arising from
content posted here-in.
