Hysterectomy.....at 37?

[katymac]

I had a smear yesterday and the nurse had no problem finding my cervix...it was practically hanging out

I have a rectocele, a partial prolapse and have had a tvt operation for bladder incontenience. I aslo have IBS, and I had an ectopic pregnancy, so one tube is gone.

The nurse said "why don't I have a hysterectomy" and it has really started me thinking...there must be good reasons why I should/shouldn't have one

What are the implications etc

I don't even know where to start - apart from everything down there is a bit of a mess

Any thoughts?

Katymac, obvious question is do you want to have any more children???

I had one at 34 - didn't want any more kids so it was perfect. They left the ovaries just took away the womb - no more periods!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT.

My sister had one recently at about the same age.

Liklik - that was decided after the ectopic & DH had a vascectomy.

We aren't having anymore as DH can't "risk my life again" in his words - we are considering adoption/fostering when dd (7) is a bit older

BTW that was 5 years ago

can they do vaginal hysterectomies these days - not quite such a major op??

Don't know much about it really - are there hormonal implications?

There are hormonal implications, quite important ones. If the ovaries are removed then obviously you go through an early - and very sharp - menopause, and then you have some four decades ahead of you to deal with all the side-effects of menopause. OTOH, if the ovaries are left in, there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer. I don't remember the details, but my mum and I discussed this a few years ago after two of her (younger) friends had hysterectomies, one medically necessary but one 'elective'.

Like I said, I really don't know the statistics, but, depending on how much bother your 'downstairs' give you, and what the prognosis is both for yourself now and after a hysterectomy, then it's not something to dismiss out of hand.

when my Mum had a hysterectomy to cure her chronic endometriosis in her late 30s she went through an early menopause. Because it was a surgically induced menopause (ie not 'natural') it was much more intense than it would have been (according to her gynae specialist). She was told that she would, in all liklihood, experience what would normally be a 3 year gradual menopause in just under a year. So it was pretty fast and furious. I remember her being very strung out and emotional, normally she is a very placid, incredibly patient woman. She chose not to have HRT.

Of course this is just one story, but I know my Mum found it really hard-going.

Well "downthere" is quite a mess and it does affect my day to day life - lifting, sex, bowel movements, clothes etc - but it is bearable

I'm not sure how much improvemnt I'd get with a hysterectomy

So no major fors or againsts...hmmm - I thought MN would have very strong opinions on this - just goes to show it isn't as controversial as I thought

I'll do a bit more research and have a think

I don't know if there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer post hysterectomy.

However I do know that if you have a hysterectomy and your ovaries are left in place you are still at a higher risk of an early menopause, and the risks that go with that. No one knows why the ovaries 'give out' sooner post hysterectomy, but they seem to do so.

What are the risks of early menopause?

I had a hysterectomy at the age of 21. Im 37 now. I have poor bone density....hence the current broken legIve been on and off HRT....took it for 12 years then consultant thought I better have a break due to the scare re breast cancer and HRT. Ive been back on the HRT for the past four months because the risk of developing breast cancer is no higher.

When I had my hysterctomy I thought FAB....no more periods. I was put through the false menopause....it was hell.
At the age of 27 I had a prolapse....the hysterectomy had killed of nerves and I had muscle problems. 29 more surgery because the back wall collapsed. 33 even more surgery because the atrificial support network that the surgeon had put inplace came apart!!!
Im having problems again because things just are not right in that area.

Whilst my hysterectomy was vital and I was pleased not to have to face the misery of periods, I wished I still had me bits because I wouldnt have had so many problems.
The rik of adhesions following abdo surgery is high and they can be very painful and often require further surgery but then a cycle begins of needing surgery to correct damage caused by surgery.I was never told that having a hysto raises the chance of you developing never ending bloody thrush, due to hormonal changes in the vagina.

If I were you I would hold on to your bits for as long as you can....ask to be seen by a Gynae and talk to them about a repair.

Early menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis (thinking of the bones) which can lead to broken hip etc.

Early menopause can aslo be liked to an increase in heart disease....but ths is still under debate

Thinning of the skin and hair, dry vagina, etc

I had a feeling that it wasn't all sweetness & Roses

Lots of stuff

I had hysaterectomy in jun this year i was 29, and feel fab!!!!!!