Hysterectomy- best thing/worst thing?

[Flobbertybillop]

I’ve got adenomyosis, and have been told I need a hysterectomy.
I have my kids and I am 46, so all fine on that score.
I’ve been managing the pain fairly well, and I’m wondering if I can try and reduce it with diet etc..
My question is, if you had a hysterectomy, would you say it was good thing? I already had major surgery for fibroids last June, and a polypectomy in October.
Also, I have the option of keeping ovaries and cervix.
I’m worried mainly about surgical menopause, although I’ll go on hrt, losing my libido and putting on weight.
Any advice would be greatLy appreciated

I’ve had one for exact same. I have my ovaries so still ovulate but no periods.

Best thing I’ve ever done. Still get a bit PMT’y once a month but nowhere near as bad as I was.

I had one 3 years ago at 44 for the same (but unmanageable pain).
No worst thing at all. I’m just bitter about the 25 years of pain before I got rid.
Kept an ovary and pretty menopausal now (hot flushes).

Absolute bliss. Huge sense of liberation. No need to plan your life around periods. I have kept ovaries and cervix too so this minimises hormonal effects.

The main issue for me is that removing my womb, which was the size of a football, has made my prolapse worse. My consultant denies this but it's very clear to me.

Also when going into the menopause it's more difficult to work out what's happening when you haven't got periods.

But these things are relatively minor.

I had keyhole which was great.

I did not put on weight.

I had one 3 months ago but for cervical cancer.

Kept my ovaries so no menopause just yet but no downsides I've found so far. No more stabbing pains, bloating, sore boobs or mood swings every month. No more spending a day sleeping at the start if every period.

Bloody love it

Sounds like bliss. I’m having myomectomy for removal of fibroids. Wondering if it’s worth it given that I won’t be having kids.
@Flobbertybillop what was your experience of fibroid removal like and how soon did period problems return?

I had one five years ago at the age of 32 after already having been treated for fibroids which grew back in under a year. I kept my ovaries but had my cervix removed as I had already had three abnormal smear tests in my life so my consultant suggested removal and I had no reason to object.

I have no regrets whatsoever. I don't have to plan my life around my periods, I don't spend 10 days out of every 25 in horrendous pain, and I don't have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy.

The only downside I can see is that when I do go through the menopause I may not realise so easily due to not having periods, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

Oh yes... my local foodbank wins too because once a month I donate the equivalent of what I used to spend on sanpro, OTC painkillers and the prescription medication I used to be on in a bid to control the bleeding and pain.

I had an emergency TAH ten years ago due to birth trauma. They were able to retain one ovary, so no hormonal problems (yet?) and no more periods or smears. Honestly, for me it has been an upgrade.

@Milomonster my experience of fibroids was unusually bad, so don’t be put off.
Mine grew so big they completely cut off my bladder, in may last year, so I spent 4 weeks with a catheter because of lockdown, until they removed them in the middle of June.
At the end of July I started bleeding really heavily with clots the size of my hand, and so got referee back, had a hysteroscopy in October where they removed lots of polyps and inserted a mirena coil, then had a rescan where they discovered the adenomyosis.
I don’t know when that started, as pre the fibroids I wasn’t having any pain or issues.
Thank you for the advice so far.
Those who had the hysterectomy, did you go straight onto hrt?

I’m trying to avoid a hysterectomy and had an endometrial ablation instead. It’s been amazing. I haven’t bled since and though I still have issues with my endometriosis it’s been a huge improvement. If bleeding is your main issue I’d ask your surgeon.

I had one for adenomyosis and endometriosis at 26 and it completely gave me my life back. I certainly didn’t realise just how unwell I was until after the surgery, my quality of life is 100 times better than I was before surgery. I was only left one of my ovaries but 10 years later still no sign of the menopause.

Had mine last year for endo and adeno aged 38. Best decision ever. Had ovaries out too and put straight on hrt patches - no menopausal symptoms at all. Recovery was very quick, back to normal within a fortnight. I feel better than I have in years. No pain, no planning my life around periods, pain free sex, no issue with libido, orgasms better than before.

@welshweasel

Had mine last year for endo and adeno aged 38. Best decision ever. Had ovaries out too and put straight on hrt patches - no menopausal symptoms at all. Recovery was very quick, back to normal within a fortnight. I feel better than I have in years. No pain, no planning my life around periods, pain free sex, no issue with libido, orgasms better than before.

Amazing. This is what I want to hear

@Flibbertygibbertywoo my issue is the pain, the coil seems to have stopped the bleeding

I had total hysterectomy and oophorectomy, no hrt and after a while of terrible hot flushes, now have no symptoms apart from the odd warm sensation that lasts seconds. It gave me my life back.

My mum had to have one after I was born. She was 39. Always said it was the best thing and all women should be offered it as an alternative to years of menopause!

Best thing without a doubt - no more pain.
No more periods a pretty close second. This might sound stupid but even five years on I feel a sense of joy every time I walk past the period products in the supermarket!

Worst thing - premature menopause (I had my ovaries out) & associated hot flushes, tiredness - all the usual menopause moans .

Overall the minuses are hugely outweighed by the pluses.

@LApprentiSorcier did you go on hrt?

No, I wasn't able to - I just had to ride through the symptoms. The first 18 months was the worst. Now, I have an occasional hot flush but that's all. I would have had to go through menopause at some point, it was just about 10 years earlier than expected and more drastic because it was overnight - I was having regular albeit heavy and painful periods right up to my op. I take vitamin and calcium supplements.

I had a total hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy 2 years ago for endometriosis, fibroids and adenomyosis. My quality of life now is indescribable and I’m just sad that I had to put up with so many years of pain and illness before I had it done. I was 44 when I had it done and use an oestrogen gel for HRT. It has honestly been life changing and I feel great!

@milomonster I had a myomectomy about 6 years ago. Felt so much better literally as I came round from the op. Lost 5 inches off my waist too, which was a bonus. Periods were a lot less heavy but shortly afterwards I had a mirena installed which stopped them altogether, which I wish Id done years before!

@Flobbertybillop @Flibbertygibbertywoo sisters?

@torquewench thank you for sharing your experience. Gynae said he will put in a mirena for 3 weeks to stop walls collapsing. I said I didn’t want it any longer than that. My hormones are already all the place. Looking forward to feeling normal again after surgery!!

at Flibberty and Flobberty names on same thread!

If you keep your ovaries you don't go straight on hrt but you should be aware that meno is likely to start within five years. Then you just need oestrogen not progesterone.
It was a good operation for me no regrets. It is major though and you need to rest and recover for weeks afterwards.

I just typed in any old crap for my username too :)

Have you been checked for endometriosis?

I had a TAH with everything removed and I have not had a good experience.

My ureter was severed during surgery but didn't realise so ended up with emergency surgery 48 hours later and had sepsis.

I now have a nephrostomy which is tube out of my back to drain my kidney and then got sepsis again a few weeks ago after my tube came out but wasn't replaced for over 24 hours.

I know I was just very unlucky but I have been left with a life changing injury.

The last 4 months have taken its toll physically and mentally.