Has anyone had a Hysterectomy ?

Torry_Quine

Just wondering why women have had their ovaries removed when having a hysterectomy for fibroids. I was always told that if at all possible ovaries are kept so as not to put the woman into early menopause requiring HRT.

nearlyrich

I had a hysterectomy at 34 but kept an ovary, I had one massive hot flush a couple of days later and no other hormonal issues. I took 3 months off work and slept for most of it, it is quite tiring for some reason. 2 other people I know went back to work after 6 weeks so everyone is different.

Afitos

Hi Everyone,

Thank You for all your comments,

Dinnie, That sounds like a fab recovery.

Sophie, I hope I can lose a stone ! When I look at my wedding pictures from last April I can not believe my stomach, god knows why I didn't think something was wrong with all the weight I was losing but my stomach was staying so big !

just-jilly, My GP didn't thinkthis would be an option because I have so many, the Radiographer couldn't distinguish how many are there.


I will discuss all my options when I get my appointment through , I am really wondering about recovery time but I guess that's like asking how long a piece of string is ! lol

My work is physical as a Home carer I have to move people with equipment , some of them in the nicest possible way are really quite difficult and heavy. 6 months off work is not an option at the moment though.

Afitos

Hi ,

Just got my appointment today, not too long to wait until june 12th .

Would still be grateful for anymore advice/experiences.

edrushuk

Hi ya Afitos

I had a hysterectomy, 6 years ago when I was 39 (also have no kids). I had fibroids, which made me bleed non-stop as well as having the stomach. They said my womb was the size of a 5month pregnancy and had one fibroid the size of an orange, plus loads others.

I had a text book operation, ( thank you York Hospital) where I had an horizontal incision, womb and cervix removed, but kept my ovaries. Sailed through the recovery, was off work for 2 months but could have easily gone back after 4 weeks.( I do work in an office tho!)

While it still grieves me that I had to loose my womb, I can honestly say it was the best thing I ever did, as I gave be back my life. Before I could not leave the house without a change of clothes and a boxes of sanitary towels/tampons. I even started to use the towel for urine loss as I thought they could cope with more liquid. Not being able to walk a hundred meters without being out of breath. Taking iron tablet all the time. It is amazing how you adapt to these things without realising it.

If it had been left up to me, I think I would have carrying on suffering as I wanted them to remove the fibroids only and keep the womb, but my doctor said, if they removed the fibroids only my womb would have so many cuts that I would look like a dog had chewed it, and there would be no guarantee that it would get the fibroid that causes the bleeding. Also the fibroids could grow back again and I would be in the same place.

It is something only you can make the decision about. Do lots of reading and be very POSITIVE. Also there is a great site called Hystersister.com. It is an American site, but gives you loads of tips , how to prepare for your op, what to do afterwards. It is very friendly and makes you realise you are not alone.

Oh my sex life is so much better as I don’t have to worry about getting blood everywhere, and definitely got my sex drive back. ( TMI …I know)

OK, sorry it is soo long, but I did not want to leave anything out.

Please email me if you have any other questions.

Take care

Susanna

Afitos

Hi Susanna,

Thank You for taking the time to reply , I am getting so worked up about what they will offer me.

At first I was all for a Hysterectomy, I was thinking ,just get rid of it !' now I am thinking about a Myomectomy but I have read that they can grow back.

I do feel sad that I won't be able to have children (but we are not having them even if I have a womb !, what's that all about eh?)

I am worried now that if I have a Hysterectomy there might be complications like prolapse . I have heard that women are unable to have/enjoy sex and whilst I know that there will always be horror stories I am still worried. I have bitten all my nails off that I grew for my wedding last April for the first time in my life

I do not have the problems with bleeding that you were having but it is so much worse than it ever was, although having said that last month it was ok for the first time in about 2 years. Thankfully my Blood count is ok, think that must be all the red meat i eat on high protein diet ! lol

Were you tired and if so was it due to your blood count being low or a side effect of the fibroids ? I am so tired and stressed.

What a mess ! Pardon the pun !

patchwork_cat

You can have uterine artery embolisation for fibroids, you can also have a hysterectomy through keyhole surgery which reduces recovery time.

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/IPG367 and http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11045/38410/38410.pdf. Do your homework and be happy with your descion I have investigated both these options, but think that I may opt for abdominal hysterectomy leaving my cervix but removing ovaries, with a spinal block.

McKneff

Do you not have contractual sick pay in your contract.
Who do you actually work for.

Afitos

patchwork_cat wrote: »

You can have uterine artery embolisation for fibroids, you can also have a hysterectomy through keyhole surgery which reduces recovery time.

http://guidance.nice.org.uk/IPG367 and http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11045/38410/38410.pdf. Do your homework and be happy with your descion I have investigated both these options, but think that I may opt for abdominal hysterectomy leaving my cervix but removing ovaries, with a spinal block.

Hi ,

Thank You, I have read about these options also. I doubt they will be able to do it via keyhole due to the size and amount (from what I have read) and the embolisation didn't sound possible.

I want to keep my ovaries as do not want to go through the menopause until I have to. I wouldn't have a spinal block as I saw one go slightly wrong once (ex nurse ! the worst patient)

I too feel that the best option would be an abdominal Hysterectomy just worried about the rest of my 'love life' !

Afitos

McKneff wrote: »

Do you not have contractual sick pay in your contract.
Who do you actually work for.

No unfortunately !

I work for a small private home care company.