I can’t take my periods anymore - I’m going to ask for a hysterectomy. What is it like having one?

[LondonLady1980]

I’m only 42 years old so I don’t know if that will cause a problem but after a decade of the worst fucking debilitating periods, I have decided I can’t cope anymore.

I want them gone.

I appreciate it’s probably major surgery so I’m interested to hear what other women’s experiences were of both the surgery and the post-op recovery.

I’ve had two c-sections so I'm naively thinking the recovery might not be too different from that?

Thank you.

When I asked for a hysterectomy during my peri menopause as the bleeding was so debilitating I was told that they only do them if you have a cancer. It may be different in different areas, but I don’t think they do them now for bleeding. I had a mirena coil fitted and after about a year bleeding finally stopped. Maybe you could try that. I hope you find a solution x

Is it just bleeding with standard period pain, if so push for womb ablation.

It was OK. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, recovery time was about 7 weeks. It is painful and limits mobility but I am guessing it's the same for a c-section (never had one). I would have put up with far, far worse to be rid of my painful and debilitating periods. I don't think you'll regret it. ETA I was same age as you, 42, when I had it.

Tranexamic acid might help. Failing that ablation

I'm not saying don't have a hysterectomy as I haven't had one so can't comment. However, I did have awful periods from severe endometriosis. I have had the mirena coil since having my second child and it has been like a miracle. I've not had a period since, and now on my 3rd coil, I believe (I can't guarantee it) it's relieving menopause symptoms. I'm 51 and I don't have any symptoms at all. I think I had to have approval from my gp practice to have this one due to age, but it is a proven treatment for menopause symptoms.

Have you tried a mirena coil?

Can you describe what specifically is awful? That might give different suggestions.

Ive noticed HRT has made a huge difference to mine. I was having issues with painful ovulation and period pains (to the point I couldn’t function properly) and HRT stopped that quite quickly.

I had one because of severe endometriosis/adenomyosis/fibroids/PMDD. They took my ovaries too (to stop the PMDD) so the menopause was instant and brutal, but they leave ovaries for most women so menopause is more manageable.

I did have complications. I had internal bleeding afterwards which resulted in a huge pelvic haematoma which developed into sepsis. They were going to do more surgery to remove it but I was so poorly they couldn’t operate and I had to wait for it to disperse naturally which took months, and was very painful. I was in hospital for three weeks and on antibiotics for three months. The haematoma was also pressing against my ureter which caused pylophrenitis.

Despite all that, I still think it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m still recovering a year later but feel so much better than when I was bleeding constantly, passing clots the size of my foot every day. It’s given me my life back.

Mirena coil also changed my life. I have endo so used to have horrific pain and bleeding every month but none at all now I have the coil!

If I were to get a hysterectomy I wouldn’t bother going with the NHS though, just straight to private.

Have you considered using the pill continuously without a break between packs? My doctor recommended this when my peri menopausal bleeds became too heavy to cope with. I haven't had a period now for 4 years.

Good luck getting one on the NHS a friend of mine had horrific periods, very low Hb having transfusions, they pushed for her to have a mirena that caused more bleeding. Was taking mefenamic acid as well. She had a horrific few years. Ended up going private. I hope you get sorted op

Forgot to mention, my bad experience was private. I had to wait five days with massive internal bleeding until they had a visiting CT scanner, then they panicked when they realised how ill I was, and literally kicked me out. They wouldn’t arrange a transfer to the NHS hospital because they’d have to pay for it. They said DH would have to take me but he couldn’t get me out of bed. I ended up calling an ambulance myself from my bed.

The treatment I received at the NHS hospital was amazing, infinitely better than at Spire. I would never go back there. They’re fine for routine procedures but if anything goes wrong they’re useless.

Mirena changed my life too but I know it's not great for everyone. Not had a period in 20 years since having it fitted to manage my endo when I was 35.

I had a hysterectomy at 33, following years of horrendous dysmenorrhea - I had several years of bleeding 20 days out of 30, completely wretched.
It was quite simply the best thing ever. Yes you’re pretty sore for a couple of weeks or so but the relief was overwhelming. This was 40 years ago when the medication that might of helped, was very limited.

I hadn’t realised how helpful the Mirena coil could be so thank you to all the women who’ve contributed to this thread. My periods seem to get heavier and more miserable as time goes on and I’m just sick of them.

PS not to say that a hysterectomy shouldn’t be an option for those who are sure they need it.

I also was on the brink of one. In fact, my consultant took me seriously when I said ‘I was done’ and asked to be put on the hysterectomy pathway. Horrid periods - heavy, flooding, pain the lot.
i was saved by Slynd (a new mini pill) which I take back to back. Loads of break through bleeding to start and now nothing. I had previously nearly died through an infection caused by coil so refused that.
i found be absolutely clear that this was what I wanted really focussed the médicals mind. I am London

I had a total hysterectomy (and removal of a mahoosive 1.3kg fibroid) when I was 50ish. Wish I had it done far, far earlier - before perimenopause, for the liberation. The fibroid was the catalyst as they agreed to a 2-for-1, don't know if it would have been offered otherwise.

Yes the surgery can be significant and you have to roll around like a beached whale for a bit, but after a lifetime of menorrhagia and endometriosis it was nothing. Bed rest, painkillers and someone supportive to lift things was all I required.

The most important thing I came on to say was that over the years there had been so much crap in the media about the emotional/hormonal/femininity impact that this had deterred me. Absolute bollocks (for me at least). I felt absolutely fine, and very much still me (albeit chirpier!) HRT was great.

For me I simply have less organs to worry about. Obviously a total hyst is rather different recovery, medication and cancer risks wise etc but I certainly don't have a profound sense of loss for my ovaries.

if men had endometriosis and fibroids, I really do feel hysterectomies would be offered more routinely and earlier.

Good luck!

I point blank refused this because it can grow back, meaning you are in the same boat.

I had to push for a hysterectomy after 5 years under gynae jumping through all their hoops.

Mirena made me bleed every single day for the 11 odd months I had it in, I had to repeatedly beg to get it removed.

POP made me bleed so horrendously every day I could barely stand I was so anaemic.

I was on the waiting list 13 months for my hysterectomy once they finally agreed it.

LIFE CHANGING
it was laparoscopic, vaginal assisted total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. If I’d known then what I know now, I would have kept my ovaries but, having everything else gone, has left me pain free for the first time in decades and not confined to the house for days each month with horrendous flooding.

I honestly wish I’d be able to have it earlier than age 45.

Yes, but any woman considering it for managing periods should consider the mirena first - removal of the uterus is a radical solution that should be a last resort.

I had a total hysterectomy at 48, due to a big fibroid and an ovarian cyst that they weren't sure was benign (it was, thank goodness). I had a vertical incision and womb, tubes and ovaries removed. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Nowhere near as painful as an operation on my foot. I had the op on Monday morning and went home Thursday teatime. I woke up with a morphine drip for 24 hours so I only have hazy memories of the first day post op. After that I was walking to the bathroom on my own with no trouble. For pain relief I had voltarol suppositories which were really good. When I got home I had a rest on the bed every afternoon. My clips were taken out after 10 days and my wound healed nicely. I went back to work after 3 months. I felt well enough to go back earlier but I made the most of it! I didn't regret it one bit, it was lovely to know I'd never have to buy tampons/towels and put up with all that mess again.

I had a hysterectomy at 43 after several years of periods that were taking over my life. Even worse when I was a teacher and couldn't go to the toilet whenever I needed.
I tried tablets that eased the issue but as soon as I stopped them the problems returned.
I had an appointment with a consultant and he immediately suggested a hysterectomy.
Best thing I ever didd. Got my life back.

PumpkinTwistyWindToots
why should uterus removal be a last resort? Post child-bearing what does a uterus contribute, versus possible future risks? Interested. ( I accept there may be other options but often not as successful ones)

They are just extremely heavy and I flood continuously and pass really large clots.

For the first three days of my period i cant work as my job involves me going into other people’s homes and this just isn’t an option (I’m self employed thankfully so I can make the decision not to work for these 3 days but there obviously there are financial implications to this).

The flooding is that bad that I can’t leave the house for three days and I have to get friends to take my youngest child to school for me abd collect him.

When I’m in the house I have to sit on a pile of towels etc so that my flooding doesn’t ruin the sofa when it happens.

On average I have to change my trousers at least 3-4 times a day.

I wear period pants as cups/tampons/sanitary pads just cannot cope with the blood flow and the enormity of the clots, but I still flood through the pants. I wear the pants that are designed for heavy periods but I still have to change them at least 2 hourly.

The pain is awful, but pain I can cope with.
Its the way my periods affect my life that I just can’t cope with anymore.

I have been anaemic for about 9 years, I’m on iron supplements and have been for that whole time but my iron levels are still only just within normal limits, and obviously that takes it toll on me too.

Due to a chronic condition I have, I can’t take any hormonal contraception and I can’t have tranaexemic acid either (sorry, I don’t know how to spell that).

Ive been referred to gynaecology in the past for an USS but no cause could be found and the only solution they could offer me was a Mirena coil. However, I’ve had one twice in the past and had negative experiences both times so I have said no.

Therefore I was discharged and basically told to just put up with it. That was about two years ago and I have really tried to just deal with it, but I can’t cope anymore ☹️

Well in this case, I would ask for a second opinion or a different trust and absolutely be relentless about it.
Very best of luck