Hysterectomy - should I remove my cervix?

[Cmumlond]

I am having a hysterectomy on Friday (due to adenomyosis) and cannot decide whether to have my cervix removed or not. I am keeping my ovaries as I do not have a history of cancer in my family.
I have read such conflicting advice re the subtotal vs total hysterectomy decision. Some reports say that by removing the cervix there is a danger that you will have weaker orgasms or limited sexual pleasure after the surgery. Some reports say that there is no proper evidence that this is true - despite several studies being done. I would love to hear from anyone who has recently had a hysterectomy and has an opinion on this.
Thank you!
My instinct is telling me to take out as little as possible.
Such a big decision and so stressful!

Disclaimer… I haven’t had a hysterectomy. However from what I understand from friends and family and working in health research.

there’s always a gap between average findings and personal experience. If your personal experience is an outlying one, what good does it do you if your sex life isn’t what it was just because in general most peoples are?

Id also mention that it depends on the studies, hysterectomy isn’t as common in younger women as it is older, measuring strength of orgasm and sexual enjoyment is subjective. Would someone much older than you with less sexual activity have a relevant experience to your own?

if The cervix is healthy, then personally I would leave it intact, for continence and sexual enjoyment and just because if you don’t need it gone why take it away.

it is slightly more complicated to leave it but that isn’t a you problem.

totally different if it’s not healthy.

Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated and very helpful. Although most docs want to take it out just to guarantee no cervical cancer in the future, I agree, why take it out if it's healthy and you don't have to.

I had the same as you in 2011, I left my cervix be!!
Ive been absolutely fine since. Obviously you will need to continue to go for all your normal cervical screening.

I have no cervix and since it’s removal things have definitely changed for the worse. I had no choice as it was cancer, so it would depend on the reason why you need the hysterectomy.

I left mine and my ovaries, I healed much quicker and no worrying about prolapse or sex feeling different etc. As long as I go for my smear.

I had everything removed nearly 4 years when I had my hysterectomy aged 39 - I had endometriosis and adenomyosis and I figured whilst they were in there I'd rather everything was removed!

No issues since, bladder and pelvic floor all fine and I've had no issues with orgasms at all. Recovery as a bit rough but I did end up with sepsis (due to a UTI) so that didn't help.

The only issue I've had since is sorting out my HRT regime, I've struggled to get it right but I think that's more down to my clueless GP than anything else.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

I had my cervix removed and from a sex standpoint and orgasmal pleasure i have noticed not one whit of a difference!
I also am happy I will no longer have to have smears or worry about a potential for womb prolapse (i have given birth to more than is the norm).
They left one ovary, the other was badly scared and had adhered to my womb so it came out when it wasn't actually going to be removed originally. So other than i may go into a slightly early menopause than I may have ordinairly done, having a hysterectomy was the best thing i have ever done.
Being free from 10 days of heavy bleeding every month is a blessing in itself.

Thanks so much for the really helpful feedback everyone. For those of you who did not remove your cervix, do you still bleed once a month? I’ve been warned this can happen when a small amount of uterine tissue is left…

I was warned of that, and a reason to take it out! It is literally a few pink dots on tissue for half a day, not even blood. Compared to periods it is 0.1% of it

Ah, ok. Good to know. Thanks for clarifying. I am so looking forward to never seeing a tampon or sanitary pad again!!!!

No, I have no bleeding whatsoever.

Hi I had a total hysterectomy including removal of ovaries and cervix. The first time I had sex about four months after surgery I had some pain and bleeding but subsequently no problems at all and I have not noticed any difference in sexual response etc x

I wouldn't.

I had my uterus and cervix removed, due to a pregnancy/birth complication, but retained both my ovaries. They found changes on my cervix afterwards so I was glad they took it out. No problems with orgasms or sensations at all.

It is so freeing ♥️