Hysterectomy keep or not keep cervix

[Shazzy786]

Hi ladies
I’m 46 and just really worried about up coming laparoscopic hysterectomy due to heavy prolonged periods/ anemia in next few months.
did you keep cervix or not . Does it affect sex/orgasm? Any other sexual changes.Do you still have premenstrual symptoms ( sore boobs mood swings gas etc) after hysterectomy .
how long is hospital stay. Any complications . Would you recommend it over abalation. Thank you so very much in advance for your replies! From a very confused and worried lady.

How can you keep your cervix if you have a hysterectomy? Sorry if I sound ignorant but I have never heard of that (and will look it up).

I have known a few people who've had hysterectomies for reasons similar to yours and they've all said they felt, and were, much better afterwards. It did not affect their sex lives. Good luck.

I can’t answer regarding hysterectomy but ablation 100% stopped my periods and is a much smaller procedure with a quick recovery.

The ladies I’ve known to have this surgery did not keep their cervix due to the possibility of developing cancer of the cervix.
those who chose abilation said it was much easier, no organs prolapsing BUT needed it repeated. But being an easy procedure was not a big deal.
no mention of sex, the ladies were 50+ and that’s not an aspect we’d have chatted about at work.
what has your consultant said?

PS: I found this from the Mayo Clinic:

Types of hysterectomy surgery
A partial hysterectomy (top left) removes just the uterus, and the cervix is left intact. A total hysterectomy (top right) removes the uterus and cervix. At the time of a total hysterectomy, your surgeon may also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes (bottom).

Now we both know! I did know about total and partial but not the cervix bit. Your surgeon should have told you if you were having a partial or a total hysterectomy, please do ask questions because it is your body.

If your tubes and ovaries are left you will still have pre menstrual symptoms and go through the menopause. If they are removed you'll be put on, or offered, hormone therapy which does entail some risks so do your research.

www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/abdominal-hysterectomy/about/pac-20384559#:~:text=of%20hysterectomy%20surgery-,Types%20of%20hysterectomy%20surgery,and%20fallopian%20tubes%20(bottom).

No help really but just to say I'm also having a hysterectomy, due to thickening of the uterus my uterus, ovaries and cervix will be removed.

No sign of cancer cells as of yet but was told that doesn't mean things can't change in time.
Choices were continue with mirena coil that I had put in 5 weeks ago to see if thickening decreases or hysterectomy.
Chose to have the hysterectomy as I've been bleeding everyday bar 3 since mirena was put in and as I've not had a period for 30 odd years it's a bit of a shock.
I really don't want the worry at the back of my mind if things do turn cancerous....whole different ball game then.

Hi fallfallfall
Thank you for you reply! I’ve been told by consultant I’m having womb Fallopian tubes and cervix removed. I was a bit sceptical about keeping my cervix due to reading some really strange stories about no libido and not as strong orgasms pre hysterectomy. I am starting to feel more relaxed now. Hopefully will get a date soon.pre assessment is on 29th so hopefully not much more waiting been on list for just over 3 years !

I had everything out 3 years ago, cervix, womb, tubes, ovaries. No more periods so no premenstrual symptoms at all. Sex / orgasms just as fine as ever. No worries re any of those common cancers. No more flooding, pains, etc. Mine was keyhole, no scars except a few tiny dots.
Best thing ever for me.

I was only in a day / night, then out. No complications. Wish I’d done it years earlier. I’d recommend going for the whole thing as other procedures seem to need re-doing or doesn’t completely solve the problems.

I had a radical hysterectomy many years ago, cervix and top of vagina went leaving a ‘vault’, only kept my ovaries because of age (31 years). Mine was abdominal and due to cancer. Left me with a long scar and apron which I despise but am ever grateful for being cancer free.

I didn’t notice any change in orgasm but have with menopause, definitely more difficult to achieve now. Libido was shit due to small children, don’t think anything changed with the surgery🤣

Good luck with the surgery and recovery.

My consultant said ablation not a hysterectomy for heavy periods. I’m glad I just had an ablation, much easier recovery.

If you keep your cervix (sub-total hysterectomy) you will still need smear tests. If you then need to have your cervix removed ( trachelectomy) it will mean another operation. Due to having had a hysterectomy, it would be more difficult to to the previous surgery.

you need to discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon.

Same here Scottishflower, best thing I ever did. A full hysterectomy 7 years ago at 42.

This was after trying everything else including ablation. Worked for a bit but not for long.

I kept my cervix, was only in hospital 16 hours in total, I I had my cervix removed it would have been an extra night so I decided to keep it.

no mention of sex, the ladies were 50+ and that’s not an aspect we’d have chatted about at work. this sounds like you think over 50s don’t have sex or a sex life!

Thank you FanniesFlaps, I am starting to lean more towards having cervix removed.
you ladies have all been great at giving some really good advise. Let’s pray everything goes well with me too. All the best to anyone else in same situation.

@Shazzy786 as your overlies begin to fail (menopause),your organisms may change. This part of aging without hormonal replacement is normal.
@Itisbetter when you work with the same women for 20+ years, there is a certain amount of privacy which is important in professional life. Nurses do chat sex, but tend to discuss as a topic vs personal experience. So although 3-4 may talk about their surgeries and recoveries, organisms following would be a step too far.

Op I am glad you are veering towards having cervix removed. There seems little point in keeping it if the rest of the womb and the tubes are gone. Do hang on to your ovaries, then you won't need to take hormones.

I had a sun total hysterectomy 14 years ago aged 43. Kept ovaries and cervix (heavy bleeding which came back after ablation).

I still need cervical screening as I have my cervix.

I have had a couple of irregular smears over the years which have meant attending for colposcopy, but fortunately all has been ok.

I discussed with my gynaecologist the possibility of having a further op to remove ovaries (no screening available) and my cervix (worried about further irregular smears) and he advised removal of ovaries but not the cervix as with the latter there was a 50% chance of prolapse and I'm still active plus the cervical screening programme is very good (UK) and I was in that system.

I followed his advice and had my ovaries removed (prophylactic surgery). Retained cervix.

Maybe ask your consultant about prolapse risk too as you're still young?

I hope all goes well for you - both my operations were straightforward and recovery was good afterwards.

*sub total! 🙄

Sorry, should have added, I had ovaries removed within last couple of years - after the operation the gynaecologist said they'd served me no useful purpose for years and had shrivelled away to almost nothing .... 🙄🤣

@fallfallfall
Possibly that’s the group you are with rather than a general rule? I’m surprised you’re a nurse though. That’s definitely not my experience at all.

I had the uterus thickening and heavy periods and was offered a hysterectomy but acupuncture solved it within a few moths as confirmed on an ultrasound. At your age you likely will go through menopause soon where your womb shrivels up on its own - are you in perimenopause? That triggered my heavy periods.

I had a total hysterectomy due to prolonged very heavy bleeding and was constantly in and out of hospital for around a week a time. Home for max two weeks and back in for transfusion’s, infusions and pain.

Discissed the various options with consultant and went for total due to cancer treatment several years before that.

unfortunatly I was one of the unlucky ones and had complications which damaged my ureter (tube from kidney to bladder), bladder and bowel.

Didn’t have menopause side effects partially due to some meds over a couple of months (cannot remember the name).

Sex drive has remained. Had to wait 8 weeks because of complications.

Despite the complications and ongoing work I would still have had it done if I could go back in time. It really did save my life.

My surgeon gave me the option re cervix, but i told her to take it out as she was removing everything else.

I love that I'll never need a smear test, will never have to worry about cervical cancer.

My sex drive has never been effected.

3 year wait @Shazzy786 ! What area are you in? I'll be at a year wait next April and was told that it would be happening soon when I spoke gynae.

Also, I have been told mine will be a total hysterectomy and not keeping my ovaries. After the appointment I read up on it and most things I read said keeping your ovaries was recommended unless there is a history of ovarian cancer in the family which there isn't. Anyone know many more on this?