about to have full hysterectomy

[Florence1975]

I carry a gene that makes me susceptible to various cancers including the womb and ovary so will be having a full hysterectomy in 2 weeks to reduce my risk. Im only 40 so very worried about work, recovery (vaginal op hopefully) but mostly am I going to turn into an old lady overnight? Will sex be anything like the same without a cervix? Will I suffer a prolapse? I have a weak pelvic floor already. I will start on a low dose of HRT but so scared it won't be enough, will have vaginal oestrogen cream too. If anyone has had a similar experience I could do with some honest advice/support right now! V.scared!

There is a website called Hystersisters which has a forum- you will get more help there. Can you talk these things through with your surgeon before the op? They ought to have talked to you about it all ! These are very common worries and you'd be very normal to ask but a good dr would talk to you!

If you keep your ovaries (???) then you shouldn't have meno symptoms. If you aren't, then you will need that HRT and at 40 it may need to be a high-ish dose especially after losing all your own oestrogen source.

Prolapse- this is what you need to discuss with the dr- there are various things they can do during the op to prevent vaginal vault prolapse and other types- ask the dr?

I'm sorry youre going through this with so many unanswered questions - why didn't they ask you if you had any questions?

Thank you PollyPerky, I will definitely look up the hystersisters, that sounds great. I think I've been in denial for a few months just very busy at work and now it's imminent I've suddenly realised the implications and started asking more/thinking more. It's the sex afterwards that I hope won't be drastically different. Anyway I really appreciate you posting, thank you!

They can leave your cervix in some cases, but depends on your own circs and reasons for the op. Ask ?

Hi,

I had a hysterectomy three years ago due to ovarian cancer and had the option to keep my cervix. I opted to have mine removed as everything else was going and if there are problems in later life with your cervix it can be harder to remove. I have felt no difference during sex than before (thank god). I started in a low dose HRT which I have been on ever since.

I hope everything goes well for you.

I had a vaginal hysterectomy 4 years ago, for different reasons to you though - I had

Oops!
.... Quite a bad prolapse and was happy to get rid as I had troublesome periods too.
I can't advise you on the sex aspect, as I'm single.
But, it was relatively straightforward and my recovery was mostly ok. ( I did contract an infection but know that isn't the norm.)
My cervix was removed and I remember being freaked out when a giant tangle of suture material eventually came out! (It looked like a spider!)
Morphine is lovely, but do make sure you don't get constipated.
I employed a local lady to come in and clean and do jobs for me for about four weeks after my surgery - you need to be very careful not to over-do it in your recovery, even if you have the op vaginally.

Thank you all so much! It's such a relief to hear that things haven't changed too much for you Genghis. I do have to have my cervix removed because it's close to where they think I'd be at risk of cancer so it needs to come out. I really hope it still feels ok for my husband too but he's very supportive so hopefully all will be ok. Thank you all for posting, I don't feel so alone now x

Had a full hysterectomy four years ago. Age 43. Never felt better. Pain free and enjoying life. Wish I'd done it years ago. Took Hrt for few months but nothing now! Have put quite a bit of weight on though! Good luck x

That's great to hear Beryl, and thank you! I can cope with a few extra pounds, might have to join the gym though, eek! X

You're welcome. My cervix was removed too! It's a strange concept because you no longer have any women bits inside!!! That feeling soon passes. However, I have to say, it has made no difference to sex life and hubby can't tell the difference Take it easy afterwards and don't try to do things too early xx

I had a radical hysterectomy at 31 for cervical cancer. Kept my ovaries but lost very thing else including the top of my vagina apparently.

No change in sensation during sex after for me or dh. I did suffer further prolapse but had surgery and it's been fine since. I suspected I had a prolapse anyway post forceps delivery for ds1 so to have prolapse issues post surgery wasn't a huge surprise.

I hope your surgery goes ok

It's so good to hear that things won't change too much, hopefully! I think I'm more worried about the effect on my husband than myself. But I feel a lot better after reading your comments . It's on Tuesday morning so no doubt I'll be reading your posts again to make myself feel positive. Can I ask, how soon did anyone take HRT after their op? That day? A rew days later? Might I get menopausal symptoms immediately? I'm going to be in fairly low dose patches.

Hi,

Good luck for Tuesday. Please remember that on hysterectomy forums there is always someone who has a horror story. I had mine removed on the Monday and was home on the Friday with very little pain which did shock me . I started HRT after 6 weeks but had to wait as I had to wait for the results of the biopsy. I was back at work after 6 weeks feeling great.

Take care and remember to rest and not over do things or you will be in pain.

I had a hysterectomy late last year for womb cancer (womb, cervix, tubes, ovaries - the lot!) and I'm only in my early 30s with no kids. It all happened quite quickly from diagnosis to the operation and I was really worried about it, how I'd recover etc.

Be careful with your recovery and expect to be more tired than you'd think, listen to your body it does tell you if you've done too much etc.
But honestly I felt far better than I thought I would after the operation - I was pleasantly surprised. I was probably at my most sore 2-3 weeks after the op and this was apparently down to the healing process.

I was paranoid about prolapse etc and every ache, pain, odd sensation I put down to developing one...nearly a year in I have no prolapse or anything similar, so think all the funny feelings were just me healing.

It's great you have your hormone options covered/planned already as I had to wait a fair few months to get my HRT sorted- and if I'm totally honest the intense menopausal symptoms I got were the worst bit of the whole thing. My consultant is still working out the best balance of hormones for me, but things have vastly improved.

Sorry for the long message but I hope it's helpful and reassures you. Feel free to PM me any time, before or after the op if you think of any questions however small or silly they may feel.

Good luck with your operation and take all the meds they offer, especially as ones to take home! for your recovery and like I say drop me a message anytime.

Just a quick message to let you know I am thinking of you and that I hope everything went well.

Hey, OP, I hope all want well.
I totally forgot to say (and it might be too late when you read this), but you will need to wear pressure stockings while you're less mobile, so beg an extra pair if you can so you can have a set in the wash. Also, I had to inject myself with an anti-clotting drug for a week (not all hospitals do this). I was absolutely horrified at the thought, but actually it was ok. I did a practice injection in hospital, and then carried on at home. I found it easiest to do it laying on the sofa with my head and shoulders propped up so I could see what I was doing. The needle is very fine, you just slide it in and then press the plunger.
Hope that's helpful.

Hi Florence, hope that you are okay, take it easy !
Just wanted to wish you a very speedy recovery. 💐💐💐

How you doing OP? Hope you are recovering ok