This is a decision that a number of my visitors are facing so I’m looking for hysterectomy experiences. The topic will be broad for now. Once comments are posted, I’ll create new questions when necessary (e.g. post-op recovery for specific surgeries). I’ll include a couple of links with more information and then open the floor.
According to womenshealth.gov (The National Women’s Health Information Center):
A hysterectomy is the second most common surgery among women in the United States. (The most common is cesarean section delivery.) Each year, more than 600,000 are done. One in three women in the United States has had a hysterectomy by age 60.
More hysterectomies are done because of fibroids than any other problem of the uterus.
Sites with more information:
Medline Plus – Hysterectomy (provides links to additional resources)
MayoClinic.com – Uterine Fibroid Decision Guide (includes extent of hysterectomy surgery, what to expect, common concerns, and pros and cons)
The Journal of the American Medical Association Patient Page on Hysterectomy
Uterine Fibroids and Hysterectomy (Thanks for the link fibroid free!)
Surgical Video:
da Vinci® Minimally Invasive Robotic Hysterectomy
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy
Please leave a comment if you have a hysterectomy experience to share (does not have to be fibroid-related) or thoughts, questions, or concerns.
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Related Posts:
How are you feeling after your Abdominal Hysterectomy?
How are you feeling after your Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?
OR-Live brings fibroid surgery video to your computer via medical webcasts
How are you preparing for your fibroid treatment?
What should I carry with me to the hospital before my fibroid surgery?
Muffin top after abdominal surgery? What’s a muffin top and how do I just make it go away?
Are you healing your spirit and mind as well as your body after your fibroid procedure?
June 30, 2009 at 2:35 am
Hiya!
I really wish I would have come across this site before my hysty. I had to have a complete LAVH due to re-occuring dermoid cysts. In 2003 I had to have emergency surgery to remove the first one in my right ovary (10cm) because it had twisted and was cutting off circulation, causing massive pain and i was hardly able to move. I had an abdominal incision so that they may save the ovary, which they did cuz i was only 23 then. So a year later i started to have pain again with periods, went to the doc and they had spotted another cyst but just monitored it, and it did shrink and eventually disappear.
I met my now husband in 2005 and at the time was told it would be extremely difficult for me to be pregnant, and tho my hubby wanted a child he was fine with it being just the two of us(i mean, he still married me after all). Not to get too TMI, but we did have a very active sex life and did nothing in the form of birth control. I actually got pregnant in 2007, and my baby girl was born in april 2008. I had to have a c-section tho due to the previous operation. About 2 months later, i tell him i’m hurtin a bit in my right side again. He says it’s from scar tissue from the op and that he noticed i had a lot of adhesions, so he writes me a scrip and tells me to take it easy.
2 months after that in august, i went back to him because the constant pain was making me miserable. They do an ultrasound see nothing on the right side, but a 12cm dermoid cyst on the left. It overstretched my ovary so it had to be removed laparscopicly. After my birthday (also in april) i was having pain AGAIN!! not to mention i was becoming not such a nice person, tho i tried to keep myself under control i was still a nightmare. Back to the doc, another ultrasound and …WALLA!… another friggin’ cyst in the right side and it was already almost 8cm.
And here we are. I had the hysterectomy because i was so sick of constantly being in pain and my uterus, tubes, intestines and so on had lots of adhesions. I had to be referred to an gyn-oncologist and my reg doc would assist, because of all the technical issues he wanted to make sure it was preformed by somone with a lot of knowledge on the subject just in case of anything else crazy. I went in 8am monday morning (oh, btw the prep for my surgery was ridiculous and i hate that more than actual surgery) and i was knocked out by 9 and back up around 11:30. in total i was there 36 hours, so was my hubby. I was getting up by the end of the night and wasn’t too bad off, i didnt have to use the drip very much. by the next day felt better and by friday i was feeling super! i was laughing and happy, making jokes and blowing kisses….I almost saw myself again. Saturday night however, i was in such excruciating pain that i went to the e.r. they shot me with dilaudid and was sure i was gonna have to be re-opened cuz of how much pain i was in. they took x-rays and bloodwork and know what they found???>>>> NOTHING!! they said i could get admitted but i just wanted to sleep, so new scrip and home i went. I feel like my stomach is soo heavy, peeing kinda hurts like its releasing pressure, and worst of all i am back to miserable and want to just cry, but that hurts. So i called my original doc and they told me call the surgeon, i called them and they made me an appointment for wednesday. well now i’m nauseus and can not eat anything and worried. i can’t be too close to my baby cuz she might accidently hit my tummy……overall just sux and i miss friday. so i aqm going to the surgeons office tomorrow because i dont think i should wait.
sorry this is so long, i just wanted to share and hopefully something i said may help someone else. I will update as soon as i know anything. hopefully it gets fixed in office and no hospital, and then no mo dr for a while!
thanks
manda
June 30, 2009 at 10:40 am
Hi Manda,
I hope they figure out why you are having problems during your recovery ASAP and that you feel great soon!
June 30, 2009 at 11:27 am
Question: Is there anyone out there who had IBS, and had it before their hysterectomy?
Have you noticed a difference in your IBS since your surgery?
I’m 52 and have had IBS my whole life. I also have multi & large honkin fibroids, (Diagnosed in my 20’s). Latest MRI a few weeks ago shows my uterus is the size of a 5 month pregnancy.
One big one is sitting near the colon. They say those fibroids can cause constipation. This was NOT a problem with *my* IBS. Actually the opposite- frequent and sometime urgent bathroom needs.
I’m hoping this might change after the fibroids are dealt with.
Within say the past 6 years I noticed the IBS was getting worse. Doctors (Gynos as well as gastro-enterologist) have no definitive answer on the connection between IBS and hormonal changes as a woman approaches menopause.
I never really had any problems from the fibroids until this past November when my period went on for 6 weeks. I had a D&C/ endometrial biposy which removed a benign uterine polyp. Ever since then I am aware of my belly every day (bloating, pain, pressure) and one menstrual period in 5 months- a two hour flood (ick)
For years I was told hang in there, the fibroids will shrink up when you hit menopause. So, here I am (age 52) on the verge of, and I am now being urged to have abdominal hysto, because of the fibroids.
I am getting 2nd & 3rd opinions for alternative treatments to a hysto.
In an effort to gather as much info as possible before deciding, I was hoping to hear from women whose IBS was changed/worsened/improved after their fibroids/girlie parts were taken out.
Thanks in advance.
July 5, 2009 at 7:40 pm
ok, i have responded twice and both still wont show up. so, trying again.
real quick, the fever was caused by some medication used by this particular hospital to put me under. my thyroid apparently doesn’t like it. they never found out why i was in pain.
anyway, i am doin so much better now. no fever, hardley any pain, the incesions are just about healed and bending over to pick things up is no problem at all. i can’t wait to see how i feel as time goes on!
July 7, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hello Everyone,
Whoever said mid life was going to be easy, had to be joking. From the age of 40, (I’m now 50) I have been having endless problems with my periods…prolonged and heavy, not to mention periods of tiredness that left me bereft on the sofa, backaches etc etc…..anyways – a total hysterectomy was the verdict! Out with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and uterus and of course my buddy the countless Fibroids!
Vaginally Assisted Laparscopic Surgery was on the 29th June..a 3.5 hour long celebration of the dismissal of my vital life giving organs! And then the joys of pains. I must say I have been fortunate to only suffer gas pains….agonising gas pains and the reason why I decided to write this blog.
Stupidly I came home and decided it was time to eat…my normal meals in order to put back what they took out…oohh la la..mistake number one! Eat, but eat wisely please…let your stomach take its own time in delivering to the bowels that which it is capable of disgesting without loading up your system with whatever. Eat small portions of food, which is easy to digest and stop eating early in the evening…drink lots of liquid and eat a healthy balanced diet…gas will be a thing of the past.
It’s been day number 9 for me and though tiring easy I am resting up with no pain or complications. After so many years of agony and living just half a life, I am really looking forward to better times.
Good luck to all of you who are going to have a total hysterectomy or who have had one already and in the same boat as I am.
Cheers to womanhood and the strength we have to endure!
Dianne
July 9, 2009 at 12:51 am
Hi everyone. I am so glad I found this site. Wish I had found it before I had my TAH. I was really nervous about what happens after the op, in hospital, so I have written a fair bit about that in case others are interested.
I am 40 yo married mother of 2. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 weeks ago on 25 June. I have enjoyed reading everyones entries and thought I would share my hysterectomy experience too.
I have always had heavy, painful periods, however in the past year they became much worse. I had to plan car trips so that I would be able to stop at a toilet after 45 mins. I carried spare pants with me. I had to get out of bed up to 5 times a night to change pads and tampons. Even then, I still soaked pjs and bed linen. The bathroom looked like the aftermath of a massacre.
I had mentioned all this to my Dr 6 months ago during a regular pap test. She suggested I try ponstan, a period pain med. She didn’t even palpate my abdomen. The period meds were useless, so I just lived with the discomfort, relying on ibuprofen for pain and scheduled 45 min toilet visits.
A couple of months ago I was admitted to hospital overnight for an inner ear viral infection which had me totally incapacitated with vomiting, vertigo and nystagmus (eyes moving involuntarily which had the room really spinning). A routine blood test showed a low iron count. They asked me about my diet and whether I had heavy periods. Since my diet is normal, they suggested I see a gyno about the period problem. An ultrasound showed an enlarged uterus with a fibroid about the size of a tennis ball plus a 4cm cyst on an ovary.
The fibroid explained the extra symptoms I had been experiencing since my totally unrelated hospital visit. I was feeling ‘strange’ while running. I felt like my abdomen was ‘full’. I was starting to have trouble getting enough air or breathing deeply, while bent over cycling. I needed to go to the loo to wee more often. I could see my bladder bulging above my stomach when lying in bed. My period lasted longer and the pain lasted longer. I called the gyno and explained the problem and the ultrasound findings to the receptionist. She slotted me in just a few days later.
At they gyno, she had me lie on the bed, where she palpated my stomach. She said it was enlarged and about the size of a 12 wk pregnancy. She read the ultrasound report, and asked me my family situation. She asked whether I had finished having kids. My husband had a vasectomy about 8 years ago. As I expected, she recommended I have a hysterectomy; TAH since it was too big to extract via the vagina or keyhole. She would leave the ovaries if possible, remove the uterus, cyst and cervix. I wasn’t upset about the loss of the uterus. I am still not sure whether the cervix should have been removed. However I was looking forward to no more bloody periods.
4 weeks later I turned up at the hospital for the operation. The fibroid had grown at a lot. Cycling to/from work was really difficult, in the weeks before the op. I had to have regular stops to get my breath back, and made sure to have pain meds an hour before the ride home since I was in constant pain for the past 3 wks.
I was nervous about the operation, but had the support of my husband and oldest daughter. The operation experience was fine.
Post op in hospital
The first thing I remember was waking up lying on my side in recovery with the oxygen mask over my mouth and nose. They removed the mask fairly quickly and replaced with an oxygen tube which sat over my nostrils. I was wheeled in my bed back to my private hospital room, where my husband and daughter L were waiting for me. Boy was I pleased to see them. I had a sleep and an hour or so later, I felt quite good chatting to my parents, hubby and L. I was on a morphine drip, and was told to push the button whenever I needed more of a boost. To tell the truth the extra boosts of morphine didn’t give the instant relief I was hoping for! My husband told me the morphine was on a 10 min cycle and would count down for me, so that I could push as soon as 10 mins were up.
The nurse put compression stockings on my legs up to the knees. She also put sequential stockings over these, which were connected to an air pump, which regularly pumped air through tubes up my legs. These massaged the legs and kept blood from pooling. I think they did a good job, because the next day when I got out of bed I didn’t feel the least bit wobbly.
The first evening I was hungry so I begged for food. I had already eaten a couple of small chocolate bars and wanted something savoury. I was allowed sandwiches and soup. As soon as they arrived, I struggled into a more upright position and promptly felt faint and nauseas. I gave up on the idea of food until breakfast. I was able to drink just fine though, form my cycling water bottle.
I didn’t even notice I had a catheter until late evening. It was great not having to worry about going to the toilet. My mum had a hysterectomy about 25 yrs ago and she had to beg them to put in a catheter after the op, because the bladder fullness was causing such pain and she couldn’t manage to ‘go’.
Post op in hospital next day
The catheter was removed first thing in the morning and I was encouraged to get up and try to go to the loo as soon as I wanted to. 2 hours later I needed to go, so a nurse, unhooked me from the sequential stockings and helped me get to the loo. I was still in a hospital gown, was bottomless, in a fair amount of pain and hooked up to the IV/morphine drip. I was relieved to find that I produced wee with ease, tho it felt really strange. I didn’t bother waiting for the nurse, and got myself back to bed OK.
Breakfast in bed was easy for me, because my husband popped in before work to help me. I found rolling over in bed relatively easy, and preferred lying on my side with a pillow stuffed behind my back for support. Eating food off the tray was impossible in this position, so my hubby was a great help. I was starving and really enjoyed the meal.
By lunch time I found I could sit up in bed easier and found this meal a lot easier by myself. I always included fruit or fruit juice at every meal. Otherwise, I ate whatever I felt like. I have had a few gas pains but it was never much of a problem.
In the afternoon, the IV was removed, the sequential stockings were removed and I was freed from bed. I started walking around and spent most of the afternoon sitting up in the comfy chair, chatting to visitors.
My surgeon told me that they op had gone well and that the fibroid had grown at about the rate of a normal pregnancy. The uterus was enlarged to a 16 wk pregnancy size. Before the op, my tummy had a nice, rounded appearance that I would have been very proud of, had I been pregnant! After the op, my surgeon happily informed me that I had a lovely flat stomach now.
As indicated by my surgeon while lying down, my stomach is indeed nice and flat, however it’s a different story as soon as I stand up. I didn’t discover this until 5 days post op and I removed the dressing and stood in front of a mirror. Read more in the ‘muffin top’ thread on this site if you want to know more. My experience is much the same as many others who have entered a comment.
2nd day post op
I was pretty much ready to go home by now. I was weeing, and had a first BM that morning which was a relief! I had a lovely shower and washed my hair. I was walking around the hospital in my pjs. I found the chair more comfortable than bed. I watched all the news on the demise of Michael Jackson. After my afternoon visitors left, I had an hour lie down to rest before the family arrived after dinner.
There seemed to be much confusion over whether I should expect to see my surgeon again before discharge, which was written up as being the following day. She didn’t turn up and she didn’t show on the following day either, so they let me go since I was healing well and meeting all their criteria.
3rd day post op – going home!
I was actually quite enjoying my hospital stay now that I was able to get around and didn’t have to wait for nurses to do stuff for me. It was like a motel room with lovely 3 course meals all day. The nurses didn’t blink an eye at my husband and kids bringing in take away dinners for themselves or at their unconventional visiting hours. However, I was keen to get home to my family and to family stuff, and to my two lovely golden retrievers who were missing me very much.
On the drive home I held a soft pillow over my stomach for protection and tummy comfort. I held this over my tummy when we got in the house too, since our dogs were very excited at seeing me and I didn’t want one of them causing me injury.
I sat myself in the lounge in my pjs with a blanket and pillow. The dogs arranged themselves at my feet. My husband and kids sprawled on the couches. I was home
4th day post op
My husband had arranged to stay home from work on my first day home. We slept in and had a lazy day at home. I stayed in my pjs all day, and was waited on for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
From the following day, my daughter (it was school hols) and I made a daily walk to the milkbar (corner store) to buy a paper. On the first day I walked upright but very slowly! Since then, I am now in less pain and am now able to walk past the corner store and on to the park. I am even able to walk the gentler of our two dogs. I feel great and am not as tired as I expected. I don’t need a sleep during the day, but I do get a bit sore and need a sit down for a while. I am enjoying cooking new dishes. I cooked chocolate soufflé yesterday; which turned out beautifully. I will have to watch the calories tho!
2 weeks post op and I am on the anti-inflammatory meds partly due to pain (which is much improved now) but mainly due to the swelling in my muffin top (which my surgeon doesn’t understand to my bafflement). Thank goodness you guys understand me.
I am thinking about going back to work at least part time next week. I know I shouldn’t rush things but my job is sedentary (I am a desk bound engineer), and I have run out of sick pay. I will let you know how I go.
Best of luck with your experience.
July 14, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Claudia,
My situation is similar to yours and we are about the same age as well. I lived with the firoid situation for way too many years. Not wanting to get a hysterectomy!!(big mistake). As the fibrods grew they were puting pressure on my bladder and comprimising my bowel. Dr said it soon would have been blocked whcj could of killed me. Hence I also thought I had IBS due to the fibods. My uterus wa almost the size of a 6 mo pregnancy. Anyawy, I had a lap hyst and my bowels are already more regu;ar . I’m 3 weks post op. Get the hysterectomy and don’t waste any more years in discomfort. They don’t shrink despite what you here not when they ar so large. And if you don’t get rid of them it will compronise your other organs! My best wishes and prayers for you!!
July 20, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I had a hysterectomy about 6 years ago, in August 2003 after I had my son, I was only 25. I was told I would have later on had to have this because of my family sisters mother and grandmother on both sides of my family. My tubal was first and then the doctors talked me into it. I have since then gained 80 lbs and can’t seem to loose it at all.I am now weighing in at 235 I go down a lb or 2 and gain it back. I am in such a mess I am more stressed over my weight, diets dont seem to help and my life is more depressing. I love my kids more than life itself and I am tired all the time. I cant seem to catch up with them activitites are hard to keep up with. I JUST WANT TO LOOSE THIS weight and make myself more healthy. HELP someone talk to me polease!
March 10, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Hi Paula,
I understand your dilemma. Weight problem is what would get you depressed and tired… if you really love those 2 children you need to focus on yourself and your eating habits… eating healthy is not difficult but it can be expensive… if you pray and ask God’s guidance and eat less, I mean smaller portions and healthy snacks …. while thinking positive… u can include some pool exercises if you can’t swim and you will lose the weight …. but include God and He will Help you… you can email me if you are depressed or need to chat
September 19, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Hi all,
I’m posting this because this blog isn’t working very well anymore. My apologies if you’ve already received this, but I’m trying to find support for getting this blog to fully function again!
(For those of you new to this site, welcome, it has provided a great forum for those of us suffering from fibroids to find out more about fibroids and support each other. Unfortunately, it hasn’t be been functioning very well (a lot of the links are down to the other threads on this blog, among other things) and it has been getting very little traffic over the last few months. But, I’m working to see what we can do, even though we didn’t start this blog, because we haven’t heard from the founder since early 2007. If you too, find this blog helpful and want more info about our efforts or want to help, read on.)
I just wrote a long letter to wordpress.com support asking what we can do to get this blog working again… I also said I and others would be willing to pay to keep it going. I would even be willing to maintain the site if they would allow it.
If anyone else knows anything, has any ideas, or would be willing to contribute to keep it going, please let us know here.
If I get the go-ahead I’ll post back and let you know.
It really pains me to see that most of the links are broken and to see that most all the the personal histories on this site have disappeared, and that this site may not be around to provide the forum for so many of us to support each other.
When I posted on the wordpress forum, other users said it would be out of our control because the site essentially belongs to Eclectic Geek to do with as she pleases… unfortunately, if say, she died…. it seems that we should be able to do something…..
Maybe, if enough people log on to: http://support.wordpress.com/contact/
to express their concern, maybe, they would be more likely to do something.
Thanks all!
September 19, 2009 at 7:04 pm
YAY – WordPress tell’s me it has been fixed!!! (so don’t deluge WordPress with requests to fix it!!)
September 20, 2009 at 12:52 am
Paula,
Check out the book Women, Weight and Hormones by Dr. Elizabeth Vliet. She addresses the problem of weight gain in a way us ladies can understand – stubborn pounds you just can’t seem to chisel off. It isn’t always just about will power and exercise. Dr. Vliet advocates getting all the hormones checked. My guess is something is out of whack. Could be thyroid or cortisol or estrogen or something else. Even if you still have your ovaries, they could be going south on you. You’ll need to get a good doctor who can monitor what could be causing the problem. If you can get your blood levels in range, those pounds might finally start to fall off.
Best of luck to you.
October 1, 2009 at 2:54 am
Hello Readers/Contributors,
My mother will be having a hysterectomy in a few days. I was looking around for pre/post op information when I ran into this forum. Just wanted to thank geekwithfibroids.com and all contributors for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Take care all.
November 3, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Hello all,
Been reading up on the hysterectomy thing. I have always wanted kids, but decided I loved my husband enough to marry him, vasectomy and all, even though I don’t have children. I have his 2 step-children. Despite this being the case, the prospect of losing the baby-makers is a bit overwhelming! I have had 2 miscarriages, probably because of endometriosis. I had a surgery in 2001 to trim it all out, but it’s obviously back. Pain, heavy periods, and a small fibroid now taboot. They are thinking there may be some up around my pancreas, because I keep having a mild pancreatitis. Everyone is saying I will feel so much better, and that I have no choice. My hubby is wonderful, but I don’t think he understands my ambivalence. He’s convinced that all my health problems will be solved by the operation. Well, maybe some of them that are hormone-related… I’m pretty sure I’m making the right decision. Afterall, even if we could have kids, and I had one today, by the time the kid was 20 I’d be 61! Any thoughts anyone?
November 7, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Hi Lissy, have you had any second opinions…? Did the endo surgery take all your symptoms away? Could the problems you have not be the result of the fibroid alone? Can you have them remove the fibroid and trim the endo one more time? Good luck figuring this out.
November 10, 2009 at 12:17 am
I have asked my family doc, the doc who treated me in the hospital for pancreatitis, and the ob-gyn. They all seem to concur that while it’s less likely to be endo up as high as my pancreas, it’s quite possible with my history. I need to do more research on fibroids. I don’t know as much about them as I should. Obgyn said it was a small one, whatever qualifies as “small”. The first endo surg. took all the pain away for about 7 years, but I still had the migraines. The doc says the hormone swings may be contributing to those, too. I just spoke to my sis tonight who had a hysterectomy a couple months ago for ovarian cysts that were fruit sized. She said after her recovery was complete, she felt 10 years younger. Said that while not having kids was kinda sad, feeling better was so worth it. She has a stepson. I also feel a bit better on that score too, having talked to my stepson and stepdaughter tonight. Knowing I have their support and love means the world to me. I think I just need to focus on the “what is” rather than the “what if’s”. Overall, I am a very blessed woman. I love, and am loved, and that’s what’s important in life. Thanks for responding! Just being able to talk about these things with someone who understands helps SO much!
November 12, 2009 at 3:16 am
Hi all, I was just reading up on a local doctor someone recommended and read an interesting article written by him which I though would be good to post here.
(it came from the following site:
https://mylifestages.org/MyLifeStages/Home.page?
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Keep Your Ovaries at the Time of Hysterectomy!
Posted on 06/10/2009 by Andrew Brill M.D.
Women Should Keep Their Ovaries at The Time of Hysterectomy!
Affecting more than 300,000 women annually, physicians commonly recommend removal of the ovaries along with hysterectomy for benign disease in order to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. In a recently published study questioning the validity of this recommendation, William Parker MD and colleagues clearly demonstrated that women younger than 65 years of age clearly benefit from ovarian conservation, and at no age is there a clear benefit from removing the ovaries.
For women younger than 65 at the time of surgery, removing the ovaries increases the risk of dying from coronary heart disease. After age 65, increased mortality is primarily from hip fracture. Importantly, at no age is there higher mortality for those choosing to conserve their ovaries, because the risk of dying from ovarian cancer is overshadowed by the risks from cardiovascular disease and hip fracture. Removal of the ovaries increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death for women. In fact, it has been determined that removing the ovaries between ages 40 and 44 years doubles the risk of heart attack compared with women with intact ovaries. Moreover, removing the ovaries before menopause causes an immediate and significant loss of ovarian hormones. Still misunderstood, postmenopausal ovaries continue to make small amounts of estrogen for years as well as significant levels of androgens (male hormones) which are converted in the body to estrogen. Since estrogens and androgens inhibit bone resorption and androgens increase bone formation, women who are postmenopausal at the time of removing their ovaries have 54% more bone fractures from osteoporosis than women with intact ovaries. And, removal before menopause leads to the sudden onset of hot flushes and mood disturbances including a decline in a sense of wellbeing, higher brain function, sleep quality, mood, and sexual desire.
Bottom line – when facing the decision to undergo hysterectomy for a benign reason before age 65, engage your physician in active discussion to insure that your are able to keep your ovaries unless their removal is otherwise indicated by a particular condition.
For women undergoing hysterectomy for benign reasons, removal of the ovaries should not be performed under the age of 65.
November 12, 2009 at 3:18 am
Here’s one more:
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!” Should the cervix be removed during hysterectomy?
Posted on 08/19/2009 by Andrew Brill M.D.
Since the cervix does not cause most gynecologic conditions leading to conventional or laparoscopic hysterectomy, a growing number of physicians now recommend that it can be spared. Possible advantages of cervical preservation include better sexuality, less uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence, and reduced surgical complications.
When both the cervix and fundus are removed, the operation is called a total hysterectomy. When the cervix is spared, it is called sub-total or supracervical hysterectomy. Removing the uterus through the vagina, called vaginal hysterectomy, does not provide the option for sparing the cervix.
So why do most gynecologists still routinely remove the entire uterus during hysterectomy? For these physicians, the decision to perform a total hysterectomy is commonly based on personal custom and their residency training. The recommendation that removing the cervix removes the risk of cervical cancer is outdated, as modern screening and treatment methods for HPV and abnormal Pap smears have evolved.
Several recent studies conducted here and abroad have shed some light on the role of the cervix after hysterectomy:
Comparing women after total or sub-total hysterectomy:
There is no difference in sexual arousal including orgasm
There is no difference in urinary complaints or incontinence
Some women continue to have spotting after sub-total hysterectomy
There is too little information to comment on complications
Follow-up is insufficient to comment on uterine prolapse
In my practice, hysterectomy is routinely performed as an outpatient using advanced laparoscopic techniques – without the use of a robot. Many of my patients undergo laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy with preservation of both ovaries and tubes. This combination treats all benign uterine conditions while permitting the choice to retain what is normal and potentially vital for personal and physical well-being. Moreover, since the vagina is not opened during supracervical hysterectomy, return to normal sexual activity is very fast. And, I strongly believe that the potential complications associated with hysterectomy are significantly less when the cervix is not removed.
If you have been recommended to undergo a hysterectomy, make sure to discuss with your doctor the pros and cons about whether you can preserve your cervix!
November 12, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Doc says keeping the ovaries would make the endometriosis certain to come back, because of the estrogen production. As for keeping the cervix, probably not because of getting rid of everything else. Whatever he suggests I’ll probably go with. I’m feeling better about the decision, just ready to get this thing over and done with. Got til the 25th…
November 29, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Lissy, how did it go? Well, I hope!
November 30, 2009 at 12:07 am
Lissy,
I think taking your ovaries out is a good idea. Often ovaries become sporatic producers of hormones within a few months of a partial hysterectomy because some of their blood supply must be tied off when the uterus is removed. This can cause bad pms in some women due to unpredictably fluctuating hormone levels. It is the beginning of menopause and can happen even several years earlier than it would have if the surgery had not been necessary. I took mine out and haven’t looked back since. Best thing I ever did.
The above article arguing for leaving the ovaries is accurate except that there is no mention of replacing the estrogen and testosterone if the ovaries do come out. I disagree that ovaries mostly should be left intact for the reason the author stated because their function can simply be taken over by another source. It is vital to provide the hormones the ovaries were producing to remain “even” in mood and prevent heart and bone problems. I am surprised the article didn’t even give hormone replacement a nod. Shame on the author. There is a lot of scaremongering out there so all of us have to read intelligently and do what is best for our own bodies.
Drugs like Premarin have gotten a bad reputation and rightly so because they contain horse estrogen which is not native to the human body. Drugs like Vivelle Dot and Estrogel have been painted with the same negative brush and don’t deserve it. They are bio-idential and are created to exactly mimic the human form of estrogen. Not in the same league at all as the horse derived kind. I am on Vivelle Dot and love it. Some women have trouble with Vivelle’s delivery method and are on various other forms of bio-identical estrogen. Luckily there are several to choose from so you can experiment and find what works best for your body.
The endometiosis makes adding estrogen tricky. You may do ok without it, but if you find life becomes unbearable, you will need to explore your options. I have talked to many many women who just NEED estrogen for their brains and nervous systems to work right. Mood crashes are not healthy so if you start to have them, get some hormone replacement.
My doctor has written several books on women and hormones and I recommend checking them out if you find you need some help. She treats women with endometiosis and PCOS and she puts them on estrogen after hysterectomy. Her books are reasonably priced and available from amazon. Look up Dr. Elizabeth Vliet.
December 23, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I had a Lsh i have been having my blood pressure drop and been feeling tired alot is that normal?
January 1, 2010 at 2:33 pm
You seem to know lots about this but did you know if there’s any side-effects or anything perilous i’d have to look out for doing a colon cleanse?
January 6, 2010 at 3:52 am
Theresa, did you ever find out what was causing your blood pressure drop? I hope you’re okay.
January 11, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Currently the routine screening of all pregnant women is not recommended.
January 18, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Found your blog on Ask and was so glad i did. That was a quick read. I have a small question.Is it OK if i send you an email???…
January 26, 2010 at 9:57 am
A chum urged me to check out this site, nice post, fascinating read… keep up the nice work!
January 30, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Hi!
I stumbled upon this blog after a visit from my OB/GYN in December 2009. She had been my GYN for apprx 10 years! I put my trust into her ability to handle my medical needs. for years she monitored my HPV stats (human Papilloma Virus). I too am a medical provider (pediatrics).. I have to say TRUST YOUR GUT (literally).. After my pre op consultation with her, i left with so many unanswered questions and many of my concerns not met. She was about to sccedule me for a Myomectomy with “possible HYSTORECTOMY”. Normal consent you say …huh? Well it doesnt have to be. I left her office in shock. Im 34 years old and she could not tell me 100% if I would come out of surgery an intact women.. Despite our years of previous conversation for my ‘back up plan”(sperm donor). Her response was ‘ I wont know for sure until I open you up”
We discussed the shape of the fibriod (on a pendullum or stalk), she would clamp the stalk to cut off the blood supply. We discussed donating my blood prior to surgey because the uterus is very vascualr and bleeding is likely. she couldnt confirm the # of fibriods. “I wont know till I open you up”. Uhh…dont you have and MRI? I questined why she didnt ask for my films. She also could not confirm that she would use sugical glue instead of staples.. She told me a women of my size typically won’t do well with sugical glue. Althought this was my most superficial question, i think she forgot that I too was a practitioner I have adult patients that are post op, GYN , twice my size ( Im 200lbs) and return to thier bed with surgical glue. Her answers didnt sit right with me. She cant take my uterus! So I found this blog while searching for answers. I read the term “RE”. Not until the blog i heard about REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGISTS. These are GYN”S or OB/GYN’s that specialize in procedures to maintain your fertility. REMINDER Iam a NURSE PRACTITIONER with a masters degree. i have never came across this specialty. Through Divine intervintion (long story) I found Dr. Stanley West . He removed my Fibroid 1 big ole honey dew melon size fibroid. made several cuts to my uterus (fibroid too big for the typical incision) removed the fibroid and reconstucted my uterus. According the Dr West if i was ready i can have children in 4 months! Did I tell you he is a “microsurgeon” . I cry because of this divine intervention. The fibriod shape was nothing like my GYN described. I dont know what MRI report she read. Dr West read my MRI report whle drawing pictures. I donated no blood . he said that will cause me to be anemic and cause othe problems for surgery. At St vincents hospital they use a cell saver. My blood loss during sugery is collected and i guess cleaned, and put right back in my IV. I saw it upon awakening from anesthesia. it wasnt alot either. Oh yeah Im home healing sore not really pain. dont get me wrong Im exhausted! But… I got my GLUE to a bikini line cut you cant even see! My sugical opening is closed in 5 layers! Nothing is gonna break free! In this case the glue is cosmetic. His final stitch is right under the skin. This is not the typical closure of GYN thats why they prefer staples its Quick! They go back to thier office or go delivery another baby.. Iwas the only obligation on his work schedule. He had all the time he needed to reconstruct and stitch it back. Please go to a RE!!!!!!!! My sugical consent read “MYOMECTOMY NO HYSTERECTOMY” brought me to tears!
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February 2, 2010 at 2:08 pm
16F could do it with some additional support.
February 2, 2010 at 9:04 pm
“great
but i think there is a little emphatization in the middle frequency….”
February 15, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Somebody dropped a link to your website on Twitter and that is where I first found your site. Love the content I have seen so far and will definitely revisit to read more soon. By the way, are you on Twitter?
February 16, 2010 at 5:06 pm
You’ve got a great site here guys, good content, good design. Keep up the good work. I’ll stay updated through your feed…Aloha
February 19, 2010 at 12:47 pm
You should go here for support. Great site, lots of support, tons fo forums and pre-op and post-op chats.
http://www.hystersisters.com