Endometriosis and Hysterectomy

[Mamf74]

Hi all,

I have a long history of endo, am stage 4 and despite (miraculously) having DD 3 years ago my symptoms are returning. A recent scan has shown that in addition to endometriomas and normal cysts at patch is showing on my womb that could be adenomyosis.

So, I will be 40 in January, am a good 5 7 stone overweight and the likelihood of me having another dc is remote, to say the least (am on Depo, so allowing a year before normal periods resume, plus losing weight etc will put me about 42/43 before ttc). Should I start seriously considering a hysterectomy?

I have a gynae appointment in a month and I know this will crop up, pretty much at the end of the road of medical treatments so surgery will be next. I was awaiting excision but was too heavy but am now wondering if I should just go for a hyst and get some life back?

Feel a bit emotional about it, had the scan not queried adeno then I wouldn't be thinking so seriously about it, but there seems to be overwhelming reasons for me to go for it. I know it's not always a cure for endo but could really use ALL experiences (good and bad) to help me weigh things up in my head.

Thanks for reading, and for any guidance! Feeling a bit lost.

Bump.... anyone?

I'm 38 and had hysterectomy (and overies gone too) end of jan this year for pretty much same things. Had tried everything but nothing worked for long/at all.

Best thing I ever did.

Still juggling hrt (these ones are making my feet swell up) and I am still knackered but to stop the constant bleeding/anaemia / pmt/ pain it was worth it.

Really feel like I have got my life back - feel like "me" again. to be honest I wish I had done it years ago.

The op itself was fine - pain control was good in hospital and came off the pain killers gradually.

I get hormonal migraines so this added to it but they aren't too bad now - only every few week and they are only lasting about 6 hours which is a million times better than before. They hope with the hrt it will clear them.

Have put on weight but from sitting on my bum eating junk rather than blaming hrt/op. I am now about 6 stone overweight - put on about 2 since the op. I am going to do something about this once the hrt is balanced but at the mo I can't deal with that as well.

Have got my kids and was totally sure we didn't want any more.

I Read a lot of the forums on hysterectomy association website which I found really useful.

Hope it goes well for you whatever you decide.

I had a Hysterectomy due to ovarian cysts and extensive Endo, I never had a grading, just that it was very bad and had caused a lot of damage and was also attached to my bowel.

I'm 45 and had the surgery last year, it was the best thing I could have done and I wish I'd had it done sooner.

I'm not on HRT as my Surgeon and I agreed it wasn't always the best thing to use and so far I'm pleased with how I'm coping, I use a supplement which works well for me.

A hysterectomy is a huge undertaking and you must be sure that's what you want. Will you have help immediately afterwards at home?

I'd also had my children and saw little point holding onto any of my reproductive organs, I was just glad to get rid of them to be honest!

Hi Mamf74 as you know I'm in a dilemma myself so will be watching with interest.

I'm having surgery for stage 4 endo later this year, one ovary is embedded in my bowel and the endo is extensive.

They wont do a hyst because I have had kids yet, but at 40 I doubt it will happen. To be honest given the option I might have opted for a hyst and a few years down the line I may go for it.

I am 42 and had a hysterectomy in February. Best thing I did. I have suffered with tiredness and numerous colds since then but I hope those will clear soon.

My opinion with a hysterectomy is that if you go into it with a strong positive attitude you will be fine. Of course there are days you a not fine but I was back to work after 6 weeks.

Thank you so much for your replies. They have been really positive and helpful, thank you.

It's really good to hear that surgery is usually positive and that there are such immediate benefits; I know it's a long recovery but it doesn't appear as scary or overwhelming as I'd pictured it.

Still not sure how things will progress, I suspect we'll discuss it but I think they will insist on weightloss before anything can be considered but possibly having "the Talk" about it will now become an option.

chocotrekkie I'll definitely search out other forums, thank you. Did you start the hrt straight away or did you get menopausal symptoms first?

youstayclassy support is one of the big considerations, dd is 3.8 at the mo so possibly we could wait a year or so until she starts school. Dh works fulltime but I am lucky that DM works part time so we could work something out. One of the good things about being so overweight is that it will take a while to lose it!

tigerseyemum so sorry you're in this dilemma. It is horrible, this was me at 30 but luckily I managed to have dd, however one of the reasons for considering a hyst is the fact that we were so lucky to beat the odds once I doubt we'll do it again.

orangeflutie keep your chin up, chuck