Hysterectomy - anyone regret it

[Atissue123]

I’m being ‘encouraged’ to have one by my consultant as I have an unusual fibroid that’s very likely benign but is causing me pain and can’t be removed any other way very easily and they are concerned that it’s a bit atypical. He is quite adament that it’s the best option for me although accepts of course it’s up to me. Myomectomy is not very easy in the location it’s at apparently and also a major surgery anyway.

The thing is I’m 42 and not keen to go into menopause or the side effects that come with it. Also would prefer to retain my womb if I can.

Has anyone had a hysterectomy and regretted it? Or conversely anyone been unsure but found it a good experience?

I had a hysterectomy in February 1999 at age 44 and it was the best thing I ever did - should have had it done yeqrs before! The reason I had the op was as a drastic last-ditch cure for the horrendous PMS I'd suffered from since puberty; my PMS was so bad and the arguments caused by it were so intense that I told the gynae consultant in September 1998 that if I didn't get the op or be on a waiting list for it then my marriage would not survive till Christmas 1998 and our silver wedding anniversary.
I was given a date of 23rd December 1998 for the op., but had to request a postponement as that was the day my mother-in-law was due to be discharged after a hip replacement. I was eventually 'done' in February 1999 which I thought wasn't an unreasonable wait.
Onviously this brought on an immediate menopause with the reulting hot flushes etc., but I was sent home from hospital with a prescription for HRT tablets which solved the problem of the hot flushes. Can't remember how long I was on HRT for, but it wasn't forever and I've been off them for some years now with no ill effects.
Recovery after the operation took a while as lifting even a kettle was too much for me at first, so sme sort of help at hme after this operation is absolutely essential. I had everything out - ovaries, tubes, uterus - so of course everything else, ie my intestines, had to rearrange themselves and this affected my going to the toilet for a while. Having a poo was difficult for a while until my insides had rearranged themselves, but all has been OK now fr many years.
One thing the hospital didn't make me aware of at the time but which I found out the hard way was that having had the hysterectomy I was eft with a slight incontinence problem - not unreasonable when you think that the uterus and bladder are very near to one another and your insides are obviously rather bruised and sore. This was'nt a problem as wearing a sanirary towel inside my knickers 24/7 solved the problem of embarrassing leaks and smelly knickers.

@Atissue123 am wondering if this may give more insight?

Totally understand your hesitation, it's a hugely invasive solution.

Make sure to do your research, but ultimately only you know what would be acceptable to you wrt pain/discomfort.

Wishing you the best.