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Original poster

I’ve been offered a hysterectomy

107 replies

rainsbows · 30/01/2026 19:01

I’d love to hear other women’s experiences. I’m only 37 but have three children. I have adenomyosis causing heavy painful periods and I also have short cycles. I’ve tried the mirena but bled constantly and I can’t take combined pills. I’m much better mentally without hormonal meds. I take mefenamic acid to help stem the flow.

Anyway…. Yesterday I saw a gynae consultant and she straight away offered me a keyhole hysterectomy, keeping ovaries and cervix.

I feel it’s so… final. Even though I’m done having kids.

Is the recovery horrendous? I’m on all ears please

OP posts:

ImDoneOnceAndForAll2 · 16/04/2026 03:23

Allisnotlost1 · 13/04/2026 14:09

Hi, sorry to hijack your thread @rainsbows but I’ve come have as had some developments and would appreciate any thoughts or advice. After six weeks of heavy bleeding my Hb had dropped to 98 (surprisingly not too bad) and I agreed with my surgeon that hysterectomy was the only way forward. I’ve since had a contrast MRI and all looks ok, no evidence of endo or adeno, just two submucosal fibroids, one which has grown 0.3cm (despite the medical management). The bleeding is now unstable, not controlled by Prostap so I’m now having 15mg norethisterone daily as well, plus on Evorel conti patches. It’s a lot of drugs!

I will be keeping my ovaries, but the options are:

laparoscopic total
open subtotal (ie 5cm ish incision to remove uterus).

I feel quite attached to my cervix but the shorter recovery of laparoscopic and no incision is probably more important.

Thoughts welcome!

If you make your own thread. You will get more replies.

Original poster

rainsbows · 16/04/2026 05:55

Hi all op here. Lots of helpful replies and lots to think about. I called the secretary and seems I’m likely to be given a date late summer. The speed of it totally surprises me and has panicked me somewhat. I’ve therefore asked for another consultation with the consultant which I’ve been given early July. It gives me time to write a million questions down.

OP posts:

graywingeddoor · 16/04/2026 06:23

I had mine at 41. I am 56 now. Best thing I ever did. I left my ovaries in but do often wish I’d just taken those out too. I had my section scar opened for mine so I was a 6 week recovery. It was ok. I was ready for my surgery though and I do think that helps recovery if you’re positive about it.

doctorsleep · 16/04/2026 07:13

Go for it. Keep your ovaries but discuss removing the Fallopian tubes. We now know that more than 95% of ovarian cancers start in the tubes. Removing them will not push you into menopause.

wateraddict · 16/04/2026 08:11

Not had a hysterectomy but I have had breast cancer meaning no HRT is possible any more and have been medically menopaused. I miss my oestrogen days! Keeping your ovaries makes so much sense to me, if you can keep producing your own oestrogen, you will save years on medication if you are not yet in peri. HRT is not an exact science and when I was on it, it helped, but took months to get right and is another thing to add to the mental load. Recovery and then getting back to life as you know it sounds perfect to me!

Allisnotlost1 · 16/04/2026 09:19

Thanks all, I had a call from the list office the day after my post and now have a date for three weeks time. I’m going for pre med today. @rainsbows good luck and if you want any to PM feel free.

otherstories · 19/04/2026 11:15