Uterine fibroids: hysterectomy or not?

[yakamoza]

A question to those who had uterine fibroids or other conditions that may have required a hysterectomy.

I had an appointment during which the doc confirmed uterine fibroids and said they needed to be removed. The only option he presented to me was a hysterectomy which I would prefer not to have. My mother had it for the same reasons and it massively affected her hormones, which her doctors told her it wouldn't. Her ovaries were kept intact and this is why her doctor was also reassuring her that her hormones would not be affected. However, having done some research, I found plenty of material that says that even if the ovaries are kept intact, they can eventually stop functioning altogether or cease functioning properly and this is why the hormonal balance is disrupted as a result of a hysterectomy.

I am wondering if anyone else has any experience with uterine fibroids and hysterectomy? How did it feel to have it removed? Many thanks in advance.

I have had two separate fibroid removal procedure, both times pre-menopause. I had no pain with mine, just heavy heavy bleeding. I also had very heavy bleeding after menopause due to regrown fibroids but I declined a hysterectomy when offered. If the mass bleeding had continued or if I had a lot of pain then I would have gone ahead and had a hysterectomy.

I had a hysterectomy because of one large fibroid which was the size of a 5-6 month pregnancy. I retained my ovaries and yes they packed up probably quicker than they would have done otherwise. But your ovaries are going to pack up when you hit menopause - they do not keep going forever.

My fibroid was so huge that my hysterectomy had to be a full open procedure as it was too big for vaginal or keyhole. However, I am SO glad I had it done. No more sleeping on towels, flooding through multiple tampons and towels, no more being wiped out because of anaemia, no more planning my life around toilet visits and not swimming or anything else which might cause a flood.

The NHS does not recommend hysterectomy for fun. If you are being told that is the best course of action, take it seriously.

I had an embolisation. It worked really well for me.

I had hysterectomy a year ago.

Best thing I ever did

I'm like a new woman (suppose technically no longer a woman lol)

Hysterectomy just over a year ago at age 45. Best thing ever. I kept ovaries and everything else removed.
I actually look better now and my hair is growing again as I'm not anemic anymore.
I had tried many things pre op but none of them worked brilliantly.

I had a post menopause hysterectomy, which is a different ball game from having one in your fertile years. I am quite relieved it's all gone.

Two years?!? Holy Moly!

This was my reason for rejecting one. Didn’t matter in the end as I never ended up having kids but at that time did not want to completely give up hope.

Still not having a hysterectomy though. Making the surgeons job easier is not my problem.

I have just done research on surgeons that handle complex fibroid cases and will get a referral to one of those.

I had a hysterectomy for the largest fibroid the surgeon had seen in a while and also a 10cm ovarian cyst, so basically lost the lot including cervix. Plunged into menopause at 53 and had six months of hot flushes and then it settled. But not having anemia every month and being permanently on iron tablets made a huge difference and I would highly recommend a hysterectomy. Wish I had been offered it 20 years earlier.

Because it has made me feel awful. I don't feel 'whole'.

Thank you so much to all of you, ladies, for sharing your experiences with me. It sounds like most of you had a positive one and are happy you went ahead. It's very reassuring to hear and although I am still unsure, if I am told that there are truly no other choices, at least I'll know that it's not the end of the world 😊

I am due to have a Vnotes hysterectomy at the end of March. I have a 10cm fibroid that is squashing my bladder along with other symptoms. I’m not looking forward to the op particularly but hope the recovery goes well and I can get back to normal quickly. Any advice for post op recovery?

I had a subtotal hysterectomy at 45 due to massive fibroid. Happiest day of my life.
They left my ovaries. I was told by the surgeon that they would pack up after 5 years. I went on hrt after 4 years.
For me, it was a no brainer.

After decades of being fobbed off (usually by female GPs), I finally got a (male) GP who actually listened and referred me for a scan. I was told my womb was a 'car crash' with fibroids, polyps, cysts, and endometriosis which probably explained my significant issues!

I had a total hysterectomy in my mid forties and it was the best thing I ever did. I do not regret it for one single second.

I've got a gynaecologist appointment tonight (been waiting 4 months) after being diagnosed with a 9cm fibroid back in October (after a scary few days waiting for cancer bloods to come back). Very anxious to hear what they will say....GP and OH nurse both mentioned hysterectomy as I am 45 and don't want more kids, large fibroid etc...would rather just have it all out and not have to suffer the symptoms anymore.

I found my post surgery recovery was greatly helped in the first few days by taking one of those pre op carbohydrate loading drinks, like Nutricia. I usually respond very badly to GA but it was OK this time.
I was also advised to take Movicol for a bit after surgery.