To be seriously considering a hysterectomy??

[LunaLoveg00d]

I'm in my mid 40s. I have a large fibroid (non-cancerous, just a big fleshy lump) in my uterus which is grapefruit sized and growing by around 3cm a year.. I have been offered various options for treatment, most of which have varying degrees of success and may cause further complications.

I'm seriously considering refusing all of the "might work, might not" options and going straight for the guaranteed results of the hysterectomy.

Am I being unreasonable to consider putting my body through this?

[StillMedusa]

I had my hysterectomy at 35 (48 now) after everything fell south post kids.
Not regretted it for one second. I kept my ovaries tho . Mine was abdominal due to various issues but it was still fine.. I was in pain for about 10 days and then felt better than I had in years.
I hadn't realised just how much my gynae problems had dragged my whole body down until there were gone.
Plus..no more smears as I don't have a cervix :)

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I had a Hysterectomy about about 5 years ago, I was 42 and had finished having children.

They took the lot and it was the best health decision ever.

[Fauxgina]

I'm due one soon so have been reading up on it slowly. The things that concern me are bodies are designed to have uterus and without it I don't think your pelvic floor is as well supported (is that rubbish?)

I'm also concerned that orgasms will feel different without uterus cramping etc.

[LetsJunglyJumpToIt]

My DM had one for the same reasons, she's never regretted it. Her periods were horrendous and now she no longer has to go out with spare clothes.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Yes if I have the hysterectomy they are planning on leaving my ovaries. Not sure about the cervix. They can have that as well, I have no need for it!

[Stopyourhavering]

Had one 8 yrs ago for fibroids and endometriosis - best thing ever... Abdominal hysterectomy so 12 weeks off work and have felt better ever since no more godawful pain and flooding
Been on HRT ever since and feel fine

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Yeah, let 'em have the cervix too, saves the smear tests, bonus!

[FrogFairy]

I had uterus and ovaries removed several years ago due to fibroids and endometriosis. No regrets at all, so liberating to be fee of pain and heavy bleeding.

[Ratonastick]

I had one at 36 after horrifically complicated gynae issues. Mine was subtotal (i.e. Left ovaries and cervix) and keyhole. I was off work for 6.5 weeks which included Christmas, I was really well enough to go back after 5 weeks. I was home 24 hours after the op and only in pain for about 4-5 days. Best bloody thing I have ever done and I wish I had it years earlier.

And sex has definitely improved, which is probably something to do with not having the huge clotty lump of pain in the way!!

[Ratonastick]

Oh and pelvic floor is a bit dicy. My trampolining days are behind me, but that is just as likely to be 10lb DS as the hysterectomy!

[LunaLoveg00d]

Unfortunately I can't have it done vaginally or keyhole as the fibroid is so large, it has to be abdominal. Not worried about the surgery, more so about the recovery period and how sore it will be.

[GreatFuckability]

I had a hysterectomy when I was 28. Never regretted it. I was young so recovered a lot faster. I'd ask for one where they leave your ovaries so you don't have to worry about hrt and all that.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

Mine was abdominal and initially it was really painful, not going to lie about that.

Within days it eased and when I had my staples out on day 5 I felt really well all things considering, I even went to Sainsburys for a walk around afterwards. It's just worth remembering that it's a slow recovery and it can't be rushed.

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

I had the same dilemma 3 years ago. My consultant pushed me to have the fibroid removed with the promise that if it didn't work I could have a hysterectomy. I wanted to go straight to a hysterectomy. Eventually I agreed (reluctantly) to the fibroid removal. Fibroid was about 15 cms across at that point.

Since then I've been fine whereas beforeevery period lasted 10 - 15 days and was a bloodbath. I don't regret the fibroid removal at all but if I had even a hint that another fibroid was developing I would probably ask for a hysterectomy. I couldn't cope with periods like that again.

[fizzyapple1]

Ditch the uterus & embrace your new life! No periods & no pain. I had 17 fibroids & i looked 6 months pregnant. Abdominal. Total recovery to peak fitness was 6 months. Pain was the biggest bitch from hell post-operatively but now every day is white jeans/best knickers day! My wound was glued for minimal scarring & my surgeon even photographed what she removed for me to see! I never ever regret it.

[S1lentAllTheseYears]

No regrets here. I had abdominal with a vertical incision (also for big fibroids) about 2.5 years ago. Physically, I was much more wiped out than I expected after the op, not so much pain as utter exhaustion. I was very stiff and needed to lie down a lot as it was difficult to get into a comfy position when sitting and standing was too tiring for long. This lasted a couple of weeks and then I had to take it steady but once over the 4-6 week recovery period, I felt better than I had in years and just wished I'd done it sooner.

My pelvic floor isn't any worse than it was before

And, yes, I took great delight in informing the smear reminder people that they could take me off the list!!

[LunaLoveg00d]

Will definitely be asking for a photograph if I decide to have my parasite removed :-)

Thanks ladies, I know it may hurt but the appeal of no more smears, being able to wear white trousers and never having to buy tampons again is quite high.

[justilou]

I was 33 when my uterus was put in the bin. (Have kept ovaries) Have never once felt like less of a woman, have never thought once "oh I miss my period" and my husband can't accuse me of having PMS if I'm mad at him. (Even if I do - he can't prove it without a blood test).

[Costacoffeeplease]

I had an abdominal hysterectomy due to fibroids about 4 years ago, everything went except one ovary - best, best thing ever

No more pain, flooding, smear tests - just brilliant, yes the recovery takes a while but once your past 8-12 weeks you'll be fine. No pelvic floor or sex issues at all

[DayToDayGlobalShit]

Had abdominal hysterectomy with ovaries and cervix removed a year ago. Best. thing. ever. I should have done it years ago.

Highly recommended.

[alfagirl73]

Hiya, I went through the same - although I had multiple fibroids and other "growths", I was a mess internally, they couldn't be sure it was all non-cancerous - so I had to have my uterus out. I kept my ovaries. I had the abdominal incision. It's definitely worth having it done - the pain I was in was ridiculous and the bigger your fibroid grows it'll start pressing on other organs and get more painful. I've never regretted my hysterectomy.

In terms of recovery I'd say the first couple of weeks are the worst - but if you do what they say it DOES help it heal quickly. If you have good nurses they will show you how to move and support yourself using your arms and legs rather than your core muscles. If you can, before you go into hospital, rig up something next to or attached to your bed that you can use to pull yourself up when you get home. It's all well and good using the rail on the hospital bed but it's a different ball game when you get home and need to get up to the loo in the night! I was like an upturned turtle because I couldn't pull myself up to get out of bed. LOL! Ended up sliding over and kind of falling out of bed. Oh the glamour! LOL! You'll learn how to move and support yourself though.

Make sure you have someone to look after you when you get out of hospital and when they say about not lifting things - they say it for a reason! You don't realise how much you use your core muscles until you have a hysterectomy.

You will be fine though; the first couple of weeks it feels like it's never getting better but then suddenly it does and every day you feel more comfortable. Ooh - a long bolster cushion is a good idea too for when you start wanting to sleep on your side. I found it a good support. You will find ways to make yourself more comfortable and you will be fine. Lots of cushions are a good idea though.

The only other two things I'd say... when you arrange to have it done, they might not go for it but ASK if you can have dissolvable stitches and surgical glue rather than staples. I had the former, and it made the healing of my incision so much better. You can barely see it now and it reduced the risk of infection in the wound. It healed really quickly and well... I just had a dressing over it for the first week and then that was it. No having to get staples out or anything. I don't know who makes that call but ask anyway - you don't ask you don't get!

Secondly - your physical healing is one thing but the emotional side of it can catch you unawares. Make sure you have plenty support both physically and emotionally. You may well be fine but I thought I was and then the emotional side hit me like a train. I got great help from the doctor and a bit of counselling which made the world of difference but initially it was hard because I wasn't prepared for it. I don't say this to worry you - just so you're aware of it. It's completely normal after a hysterectomy - but don't be afraid to see the doctor if you find it getting to you.

On the upside - look forward to no pain, no more tampons/pads etc, no more monthly issues, less expense, and I can honestly say I'm glad I had my hysterectomy! I've never had pelvic floor issues either and my partner and I have a very healthy sex life. If I'd known I was never going to be able to have children sooner, I'd have had the operation sooner and saved myself years of pain! I don't feel less of a woman or anything like that.

Good luck! :-) x