Should I get a hysterectomy?

[Neversleepingever]

I've chosen this board to post on as the advice and support is second to none and this feels like the biggest decision of my life. I'm 30 years old.

I gave birth to my only child nearly 3 years ago and had a really traumatic birth. I ended up with grade 3/4 uterine prolapse and have grade 2 anal and bladder prolapse.

I'm waiting for surgery and I've chosen not to have mesh but my surgeon has offered a hysterectomy. Because of the horrendous birth which subsequented PND and PTSD, I don't want any more children and I have awful periods.

Sex is a important factor to me. Yes I wouldn't have any more periods and wouldn't need to worry about birth control but I'd go into early menopause and I'm worried that I'd experience a sense of loss of not having my womb.. does that make sense?

I'm a bit torn.

I've had a double bowel prolapse surgery and a urine tape about ten years ago now. I still have a womb prolapse but surgery for that could shorten the vagina and make sex difficult. Your problems sound much more complex and you are younger than I was.
A full hysterectomy is usually a last resort and I should think they will leave your ovaries so you don't have hormonal related issues like osteopetrosis.
It really is a personal decision but you may need to seek an alternative medical opinion.

It's possible to have a hysterectomy while retaining your ovaries, which would lengthen the process of becoming menopausal (though you'd still reach the stage earlier than without the hysterectomy). As far as a sense of loss, I think that may be entirely psychological if it did happen -- I've had a total hysterectomy and still sometimes feel like I've got a minor cramp in an ovary, having to remind myself that I've had the whole bit removed. Assuming you mean the sensation of the loss of your uterus - as far as intercourse goes, I can't make much of a comparison.

It's entirely your choice, of course, I just wanted to offer the bits I know of what you feared.

Are you in the UK and is the hysterectomy being offered on the NHS? It is incredibly difficult getting a hysterectomy on the NHS so if it’s being offered they must think it would make a major difference to you. If you’re in the US I understand the situation is different. In the past women were offered hysterectomies more readily however the NHS has now gone too far the other way.

Post hysterectomy sex can be better as pain & discomfort from your problems have gone away (once you’ve fully healed of course).

A life without having to worry about periods is awesome.

If your ovaries are left you’re likely to have a few years before you go into menopause and when you do you can go onto estrogen only hrt

However it is major surgery and can take a few months to physically recover. And it comes with all the risks of any major surgery.

You may get more input on the health board.

Good luck with whatever you decide Mine was life changing

I understand what you mean, that you might not feel ‘womanly’ any more.
I would say that if you are still torn over it, keep your womb. You can never get it back and it might set you on a path to psychological problems.
It really is a big decision.

I kept my ovaries and nearly everything has stayed as it was before the surgery, other than the liberation from being limited by pain and flooding 5 days out of each month. So I had no sense of loss, just utter relief.

There is usually a constant thread about hysterectomies on the health board, it was hugely helpful to me when I was at your stage of ‘is this right for me?’. There’s a lot of experience and knowledge there that can help you.

I had a hyst in my early 40s because of endometriosis and a prolapse (post birth). I kept my ovaries.
For me it was the best thing ever.
I regained my energy and could play with my sons
Sex was no longer painful
No periods (flooding, pain, ghastly)
I didn't feel like a new woman - I felt like at least 3 new women after years and years of anaemia.
I never regretted losing my womb,( which had done its job splendidly with my children.
We all feel differently about these things, but I would say that the physical advantages have been entirely positive for me.

I meant to say, never I'm so sorry for how much you have suffered, and I do hope you find the treatment that works best for you

Thank you so much for all your comments and support. I am under the NHS. I have a lot to think about and I'll take a look over in the health board. Currently, I think I will take dinosaurdiana's advice but my mind changes more than the wind at the moment.

Really appreciate all your advice. Thankyou