It's not worth having a hysterectomy for heavy periods in my late 40's is it?

[elliejjtiny]

I have heavy periods which have got heavier and less painful with each pregnancy. I've had all the tests and there is nothing wrong, except my womb is now like a deflated balloon. I was offered a hysterectomy aged 32 but I'd just had a traumatic birth and had children with disabilities so I wanted to wait until the dc were older and don't need lifting.

I made the mistake of asking my mil what it's like as she has had one and ever since she has been nagging me to have one. I'm now 43, not having to lift the dc much anymore but feeling like it's not worth the pain of having a hysterectomy when my periods will stop a few years later anyway. Realistically I will be close to 50 when I get to the top of the waiting list.

A hysterectomy is a hell of an op. I'd not be having one just because my periods were heavy.

i had a day case operation a womb microwaved to get rid of the lining, cant think how you spell it begins with A, fast recovery, after that my periods were a 3 day dribble, sorry cant thing what its called but amazing results

I had a full hysterectomy in my early 40s.

Best Thing Ever

If you can, do it

43 is not your late 40s.

And I was still having periods at 55. And they only stopped then because I got diagnosed with adenomyosis and had a Mirena coil fitted.

Surely at least have womb ablation then if that doesn’t work consider the hysterectomy.

My mirena stopped my heavy periods dead in their tracks, barely any spotting even. I wouldn't choose a hysterectomy unless I'd tried everything else

I went on a continuous contraceptive pill and they
Completely stopped, is that an option?

A hysterectomy is a hell of an op. I'd not be having one just because my periods were heavy.

I became anaemic because my periods were so heavy. One night I sat on the loo for an hour because there was no point getting up, I just flooded through. There's heavy and there's heavy.

I’m actually now on hrt at 42 and they’ve stopped again after a few bleeds at the start

I’m following this thread and at 43 my periods are suddenly really affecting my life. Flooding meaning I’m changing a tampon every hour and that’s still filling a towel too for 4 days every month. Iron tablets make me sick. I keep being offered the mirena coil but dh got the snip so I could avoid contraception. I’ve hated every side effect so I’m scared about what the coil will do. Part of me wants a hysterectomy but maybe am ablation would work.

Guessing yours aren’t heavy judging by your comment because yes it’s a big op but heavy periods can really impact your life.

Ask about uterine ablation - totally life changing for me

Heavy periods at 43 become awful a few years later ime - clots, flooding all increased. I am so SO thankful to have had the ablation before perimenopause

Literally life changing.

Thank you, maybe an ablation is the way to go. I know I'm not late 40's now but with the waiting lists to see the gynaecologist and then waiting for the operation I would be close to 50 when I have it done.

My MIL keeps telling me I should have a hysterectomy and then yesterday she tried to bribe me to have one like I'm 6 years old which I think is really inappropriate.

It's worth speaking to the GP again, I'd have thought.

They probably can't fix the MIL problem, though...

My nana and aunt both had hysterectomies in their 40s. I have no idea about the operation but know it’s big. I guess if it ends the periods I’d probably do it. What does your gynae say OP?

I had an ablation in my early forties. Best thing I ever did!. Light periods that lasted a day right up until I went into menopause.

I don’t think it is rational to be contemplating a hysterectomy without having tried mirena first. For most people the only side effects are some breast tenderness for a few weeks and a few months of spotting (in my case around when my period would have been). Try it. If it doesn’t work for you, take it out again. Then think about more drastic measures.

Ignore your MIL. There used to be a medical fashion for whipping out utereruses willy nilly. Your MIL is a bit young to have been in that wave but was perhaps influenced. There was an id relying mysogeny to it I think - a tone of tidying up these messy people , that somehow it was almost more hygienic “now you don’t need it”.

Which is not to say that it is inappropriate in all cases, but your MIL’s enthusiasm is clearly ignorable.

have you discussed mirena and if that doesn’t work ablation with your gp?

I was like you. Then got a Mirena at the same age and it saved me. I was pouring with blood and clots and now no periods, even temper, works with my HRT oestrogen.

Best thing ever. Seriously. If you can afford to, get it inserted privately. You get a twenty minute rest on the bed afterwards and a lot more TLC.

Several of my female relatives had hysterectomy and are very happy they did, youngest is 52 now, had her procedure maybe 4 yrs ago.

It is big surgery so of course try many other things first.

If your periods are not painful and you are happy enough dealing with them every month then I would leave things as they are. But just remember it might be 10 years or more before it all ends.

I am 53 and currently on day 32 of my latest period. Last one was a few months ago. I'm scheduled for a hysterectomy in a couple of weeks due to fibroids and adenymyosis.

You'll know if/when things change with your body and you can discuss with the dr as necessary.

I was considering a hysterectomy due to heavy painful periods but went the mirena option first and it worked. Best thing ever for me.

Yep, agreeing with a pp. I had a full hysterectomy 10 years ago at 42. Extremely heavy periods but also terrible PMS. Best thing I ever did.

I had had ablation, mirena coil (very sensitive to hormones and did not suit me) and the tablets.

The mirena has given me my life back! Cannot recommend it enough.

I had an ablation. It did the trick.