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.

Can I ask those people on the thread who recommend the mirena coil if it helped straight away? All I hear about is months of bleeding before having it removed which puts me off. I have been recommended one due to endometriosis but am worried about months of constant bleeding!

I had a hysterectomy aged 30 due to endometriosis and adenomyosis. The plan was to leave my ovaries but once they opened me up one was too damaged and had to be removed. The other was treated with diathermy but a year later it had to be removed and I started HRT. Apart from the fact I couldn't have more children it was a life changing operation and once recovered I could be a much better mum to my son rather than being so incapacitated by my gynaecological problems.

The night before the operation a nurse introduced herself and told me she'd be looking after me the following night. I blythely told her I'd be fine, I'd had a section when I'd had my son. She told me a hysterectomy was nothing like a section, in her words "I was having a major organ removed which was very different". She was right! Recovery was pretty brutal but nevertheless my life was immeasurably better afterwards once I was settled on HRT.

I had mine fitted during my laparoscopy and it took a while to settle into a new “cycle” but during that time the bleeding was not heavy at all and just small twingey cramps.

I just have some spotting every few months now, it’s amazing. And no side effects like I had with the pill!

I had a total hysterectomy at 45 for PMDD but heavy periods was my official reason (I was anaemic from long heavy periods and short cycles). I went private and even when going private I kept quiet about my PMDD.

Recovery was slightly complicated by two infections, and I had pelvic floor physio after as I was seeping urine. I was back at work after about two months I think. Back to full exercise took longer. I had a c section and the hysterectomy recovery was longer but then I was 10 years older.

I use oestrogen HRT but don't need progesterone and this has been totally life-changing in terms of mood. My friends are struggling through peri and I've leap-frogged all that and have zero symptoms. I got my life back and probably saved my marriage.

In my 50’s and had a fully robotic hysterectomy in a couple of months ago as I had suspected stage 1 ovarian cancer. I have fibroids so it was always possible it could be that. I had 5 incisions and a large cut similar to a c section (I had two of those as well 20 years ago and it’s quite similar ). Two nights in hospital which was pretty hellish but the recovery has been about 8 weeks and I am back at work. Injections for 28 days instead of surgical stocking . That was a bit shit ! Still getting my fitness back and careful when sneezing. I am also very tired. But I too had bad periods that were dominating my life so can honestly say I am relieved. No having to think about when is best to holiday etc, prisoner in the house. if you can get one then do it. It does kick off the menopause (it has for me) but it’s choice you make .

@WhatHaveIDone21 I spotted for 6 months daily on the Mirena the still had light periods on it. I also discovered I just don’t tolerate progesterone very well.

The biggest issue for me is that I was constantly itchy like I had thrush turned out it as the threads irritating me.

@RandomMess thank you. I have heard so many horror stories that I’m unsure what to do. The bleeding is so heavy that my iron levels are constantly low even with iron tablets. But at least it’s only 3/4 days a month. I can’t imagine how I will feel bleeding every day!

I was in your position OP. Ablation transformed my life.