Have you had a hysterectomy? Or awaiting one? Come hither!

[GissASquizz]

Three years ago I had very heavy periods and a lot of pelvic pain. I was referred and had an ultrasound and hysteroscopy. Surgeon removed 3inch polyp from top of the uterus. Periods continued to be painful and heavy. Surgeon then did laparoscopy, removed small amounts of endo. Periods still vile. So third time's a charm, I had a uterine ablation. This stopped the heavy periods, but not my periods full stop, but made little difference to the pain. I was then prescribed a 6 month course of prostap.

I felt amazing on the prostap. No brain fog, vile PMT, pain or crushing anxiety. Once the course finished, my cycle restarted and was well behaved for a year-18 months.

About 6 months ago my periods started getting a little heavier, lasted a bit longer. Then the cramping started. Then the hellish PMT and IBS symptoms.

I've been rereferred and offered a total hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy. Consultant believes this is the logical course of action to stop all my symptoms. Apparently I have a bulky uterus with a fibroid so lap surgery is out, it will be abdominal.

Now the surgery part doesn't worry me, but surgical menopause does. I'm also afraid our sex life will cease to exist and it will affect my marriage. I'm 40 and not ready to feel pushed to a later stage of my life iyswim?

Any experiences/words of wisdom?

Sorry that's really long

For transparency, I've posted this before but it vanished.

Have they explained to you why they need to do the oophorectomy as well? Is it because of the PMS symptoms on top of the heavy bleeding?

It's to stop any endo recurring. My consultant seems to be of the opinion that it's easier to whack it all out.

Was wondering the same re the oopherectomy. I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago for painful periods caused by adenomyosis, endometriosis and fibroids. I was the same age as you at the time and they left my ovaries (why put your body into early menopause if not necessary?). It was one of the best things I ever did. No more periods and no more pain, such a relief.

The recovery was more uncomfortable than I expected, bu after a few weeks I felt loads better.

Cross post. I still sometimes have mild endo pains, but incomparable to the previous pain level! Hope it helps you

You could be describing me. I had a hysterectomy and oopherectomy at 35, after years of misery . I've taken HRT ever since and have had no problems. I'm in my 60's now, I'm still convinced that this treatment was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Also wondering why they are saying to do the oophorectomy too.

I had hellish periods, PMT, extreme pain, etc... etc... same as yourself. Had the scans etc... and was found to have an odd shaped uterus and multiple large fibroids. I had a sub-total hysterectomy - so kept my ovaries and my cervix. It was performed abdominally due to the bulkiness of the uterus/fibroids.

The initial physical recovery was painful, but uneventful - my scar is almost invisible now and within 3 months I was back at work. The hormonal/emotional side of it took longer. Although I kept my ovaries, they (according to the doctors) kind of went into "shock" so I had some menopause symptoms for a while - moods, hot flushes all that fun stuff, and I was dealing with the fact I'd never have children (I was in my 30's when I had my hysterectomy) - but after about a year, all that cleared up, I came to terms with the fertility/children issue - and since then I haven't looked back. I'm SO glad I had it done and wish I'd done it sooner and saved myself years of period hell. But that's just me. Every woman is different and, despite what people say, no two hysterectomy experiences are identical. It's about more than surgery. You have to decide what is right for you. I had some people tell me that a hysterectomy was "nothing" and I'd be back at work in 2 weeks.... then on the opposite scale had people telling me it was the worst thing ever. Neither was correct. It wasn't easy, I'd say allow yourself a good 12-18 months to FULLY recover (physically, hormonally, emotionally), (not saying it would take you that long - but just be aware that it's not just a physical recovery) - but long term, for me, it has absolutely been worth it. I'm SO glad I did it. Oh and my libido, if anything, is stronger, not diminished.

Obviously if you do HAVE to have your ovaries removed then that is another consideration - so people who have been through that experience will be better placed to advise. But I'd perhaps get another opinion on that because you may not have to go through that. Be sure that it's for YOUR benefit. They're not his ovaries!

I had everything removed at 40 due to cancer and it’s been wonderful not having heavy draining periods. The menopause has been hard going as I can’t take HRT but I’ve found various supplements have helped. I’m always hot and have a lot of joint pains but I still feel it’s better then the awful periods.

I had hysterectomy but not oophorectomy at 45 due to heavy periods and fibroids. Initial recovery (first three weeks) was slow but by six weeks I was back at work. Sex life unchanged if anything better because not having to endure the week or more of heavy bleeding. Have had a normal menopause in the years since. Woudn't change a thing looking back.

It's the oopherectomy giving me pause.

I had hysterectomy & oophrectomy at 41 and it was the best decision I could have made.

My Gynae put an oestrogen implant in my wound, so I didn't experience menopause at all. I've been on oestrogen ever since (gel) and it's brilliant: no side-effects and no issues whatsoever.

I agree with the PP saying that it takes a while to fully recover. I think I was still a little swollen even a few months afterwards. The important thing is to do the walking regime exactly as you're told: it's easy to overdo it at first (I think especially if you're used to coping with pain and see it as something to power through). You need to build up to things, but keeping moving and doing a little more every day meant that I had no issues at all with my recovery.

If you’re not happy about having your ovaries out, can you ask to find out more about why the consultant has advised it? These things are usually a balance of risks, so if the risks around keeping them in are more palatable to you than having them out then you should be able to choose that instead.

I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and could see no benefit in having my ovaries out, so they were left in. I’d much rather keep going with my own hormones for as long as my ovaries are working than have to go on HRT.

I am 36, and booked in for a total hysterectomy but keeping ovaries next month due to adenomyosis and failed endometrial ablation. Hoping it will be LAVH but due to my uterus being bulky I have been told it may have to be abdominal.

I think I'll say I want to keep my ovaries. Better the devil you know

Following because I have horrendously heavy periods but I'm too scared to do anything invasive because of previous birth trauma. Gynaecologist offered mirena, ablation or hysterectomy 4 years ago but so far I've not been able to pluck up the courage. Currently taking tranexamic acid which helps a bit.

I had a hysterectomy in June 2017. I was 48.

I had a bulky uterus and lots of fibroids. I had over 12 months of constant bleeding and was just drained by it all.

I retained my ovaries but within a few months I was getting menopause symptoms so the doctor put me on HRT, which has been amazing.

I had my operation by keyhole and have 3 very small scars. The first 2 weeks were difficult with recovery, uncomfortable, sleeping all of the time but each week I fel better and better. I was driving after 4weeks, back at work after 6 weeks and exercising after 8 weeks.

Sex is no different and it has been the best thing I ever did.

ellie I too had a Mirena and an ablation in the years before my hysterectomy- both failed. I wasted 2 years or so when in hindsight I should have just gone for the hysterectomy anyway.

Am booked in for mine in Feb and was wondering about recovery. The plan is to do keyhole and retain one ovary - I know everyone is different but am I being ambitious in hoping for a two week recovery back to work??

I'm booked for a LAVH on the 15th Jan, for heavy periods, bulky uterus and multiple ( although small) fibroids. I currently take transexamic acid, had a mirena for 3 yrs ( didnt really work) and have had norestherone in the past too.
I'm having cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes out and keeping mybivsries in hopes of a natural menopause in the future. As I'm 46 but not yet any symptoms of menopause, I'm hoping for a year or 2 before it starts.

I'm already having night sweats, so not sure if I'm peri. It's all such a ballache. My moods and anxiety are all over the place.

I had hysterectomy and oophrectomy at age 44, due to heavy painful periods caused by endometriosis and multiple small fibroids.

Initially I did not want HRT as always got migraines from the pill and was worried it would feed the endo. My consultant advised a type of HRT called Livial/tibolone which works differently to standard HRT. He said the sudden onset of surgical menopause would be brutal and the HRT would protect me from osteoporosis. I took it for nearly 5 years.

I took 3 months off work, tbh I could have done with a few more weeks off.

I have no regrets at all. I can’t comment on sex life as I have been celibate for many years but can confirm the HRT certainly made me feel very frisky initially.

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 4 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did.

I think recovery is quite an individual thing. Personally, i'd say it took a couple of months for me to feel confident doing quite physical things, like lifting and carrying, and 6 months before I felt totally normal in that respect. For me it was the emotional recovery that took longer. Still can't really put my finger on it, but for the first year afterwards, I just didn't feel like myself.

I went on Tibilone for a year first as normal HRT can kickstart endo growing back, but once i'd been on that for a year I was allowed to swap to 'normal' HRT and now I take Elleste Solo and have been absolutely fine on that.

I was single when I had my surgery and was worried i'd never have a sex life again, or that if I did it would be rubbish. Have since had a relationship and the sex was fine, no different at all.

Good Luck

I had a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed ,8 years ago now , due to severe endometriosis nothing was able to be saved .

I chose not to take HRT and everything has been absolutely fine.

I recovered very well; I didn’t have terrible night sweats, insomnia, become depressed or put on a lot of weight.

Best health decision I’ve made.

I had a total hysterectomy almost 2 years ago aged 36 due to extremely heavy periods. Retained my ovaries though as the surgeon said it was better long term to prevent osteoporosis and obviously menopause.

Ask if you can keep your ovaries. I used to be horrific PMT, I don't get it now even though I still have ovaries.