Hysterectomy and Pros/Cons

I had half a hysterectomy over 21 years ago. My son was born after this (voila he is twentyone!) so...if you want more children, that's the way to go. I was 33 when I had him. I had uterine cancer and had the rest of everything removed two years ago. It was hard, but actually I found myself soooo sad, because I really couldn't have anymore children.

Do some research into possible long-term effects of hormone therapy. I think hormone therapy is great, and it's helped a lot of women, but there are some studies and findings out there you should be aware of regarding cancer, brain tumors, etc. My mother had a hysterectomy at age 41 (what I am now) and always said it was the best thing she ever did! I WISH I could get one -although I count myself fortunate to not have any problems that would warrant one (I just DESPISE having a period). Anyway -they did leave one ovary in my mother, but she still went on hormone therapy -I suppose because her levels were low. She did develop and die of a brain tumor two years ago at age 64. Rarely do they know what causes a brain tumor, but not long after I heard about a few studies and it made me wonder. It's always good to be informed!

Having said all of that -yes -I would still get one if I could. You're 10 years younger than me, so I think if I were you, I would opt for leaving that one ovary in there. However, that's another area you should research fully. Ovarian cancer is a silent killer of women. Usually by the time symptoms present, you're in stage 4 and often it has spread. So -that makes me think -get rid of both! Just do research and decide what you're comfortable with. I know the recovery time is still a recommended 6 weeks, but you do feel better and better over that time -you just can't lift or run or anything. It was rough for most people I know who have had them for the first couple of weeks. Good luck with your decision! Just be informed about all of it.

OMG so much to consider. Personally I would opt to only have the one ovary removed but not the uterus. I would go for a second opinion too. My personal bias is against male doctors for women's issues. They just don't seem to get it and are too quick to cut you open.

I'm not saying there isn't cause here. I would just want more information. I wouldn't want my pain and discomfort alone to be the judge of what to do. While it is possible that this will solve your currenct issues. Having to deal with hormones for over 10-15 years or more until you become menapausal will have it's own headaches and fall out to deal with. It is possible that you may have no further issues once this is done. Again I would want some more input.

As for recovery time, plan on the most time possible. My girlfriend had a hysterectomy she was 50 at the time. It took her over two months to get back to work and over a year to feel like normal again but each person's experience is unique.

I was 44 when I had a full hysterectomy done this year...I am SOOO glad I did it!!! I have not needed ANY HRT - NONE. I wouldn't do it unless it was absolutely necessary (HRT).

My hysterectomy was done via the Di Vinci method - I had three small incisions on my abdomen and everything out vaginally. I was in the hospital 24 hours. I was home and having my sister care for me and my family.

At 48 hours, I was very uncomfortable, my dog, Grady, noticed and got up on my stomach - and pushed the gas out - ooh thank you Grady!!! I was up and shopping for a new stove on Thursday. My sister left after 8 days. I couldn't drive for 2 weeks - but that was okay.

Since they cannot do yours laproscopically - I would guess that it will be the same recovery as a C-Section - of which I've never had.

Expect pain. I only took Advil for my pain and even though I had a Perocet or Vicodin sorry - can't remember which - prescribed and filled - I never opened it.

good luck!

My completed abdominal hysterestomy was the best thing I ever did.

I opted to take EVERYTHING and go on HRT. I have never felt better in my life. I did it 10 yrs ago at 39.

My recovery was easy, no weight gain, no swelly belly, I was up and out as soon as the Dr said go. Sex drive is sky high.... (no oopsie pregnancy chance!!) I think recovery has a lot to do with your personal attitude.

Again, it was the best thing I ever did.

Do not let them take out both of your ovaries because you will have to take hormones for the rest of your life. If you have one ovary left your ovary will continue to make hormones for you....no hormones for you...no instance menopause.... very good thing. You do not want to go through menopause at your age on top of everything that you have been through now.

I speak from experience. I had the same symptoms. I went through it at 51 and it was not pleasant then. They took both ovaries "because I didn't need them any more." Ha! I needed the hormones. Now I take the hormones to stave off more severe arthritis, and other aging deceases. I risk heart decease because I have to take the hormones. At some time the doc will sit me down and tell me that hormones are no longer good for me.

I was down a couple of days, but hard to move around for a couple of weeks. This is a major surgery. But it had an more of an emotional effect than I thought It would. It would get more than 2 opinions and I would get a woman OB/GYN opinion. It is good that you are talking to us women.

And keep that ovary.

Have you ever considered acupuncture. I had a VERY large fibroid. Of course every doctor decided I should donate my uterus to him. I resisted and went through a natural menopause. I had a wonderful acupuncturist who kept me going by shrinking the fibroid from time to time. It is the same with endometriosis and acupuncturists.
Why do you even consider at hysterectomy without looking into alternative health?` Did anyone inform you that it will age you...wrinkles, bone loss, etc as if you were over 50 years of age.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE A FULL HYSTERECTOMY. Keep one ovary. Consult a third and a fourth OB even one not attached to the military.

D... I begged for a full Hst. That's what I wanted and it took alot of convincing to change my mind. I just wanted it ALL out I was SO done with all the issue with my period!!

My DR was awesome! She said that being so young was best NTO to take out what didn't need to.. in your case the one good ovary. For hormone purposes.

I am not sure about now but at the time it was recommended to not have women on HRT for more than 5+ years and she said I was NO WHERE near menopause! So I left them both in.

Thankfully I was in the hospital less than 24 hours. (they told me 2-3 days)Walked out and went to the store (walking a tad bit slow I might add) but did it. Never took anything for pain but, was uncomfortable.

Good Luck you won't believe the best feeling in the world when you feel painless!!!

Personally, have you exhausted all the options? I am sorry but I think the doctors are too quick to just say hysterectomy. there are long term effects from this decision that I would consider before doing this. I think having your parts removed from your body should be the last resort. Can't these cysts be removed?

I had a hysterectomy when I was in my early 50's because of endometriosis and ovarian cysts. I'm now 68. We left one ovary in even tho I'd had a cyst on that one. They cyst had been a couple of years earlier and resolved on it's own. My Ob/gyn said that it's best to leave an ovary if at all possible because of the hormones our body needs from it. I was on HRT for a few years until medical science decided that it was best to not be on it unless it was absolutely necessary. I had no difficulty going off HRT.

That one ovary did have a cyst a time or two after the surgery but they always resolved quickly on their own.

I was off work for 8 weeks. I've had several abdominal surgeries and the standard seemed to be to stay home for 6 weeks. Perhaps that was because I had a high stress, physically demanding job. (police officer) Or Maybe it's different now. I did have the option of desk duty but don't think I could've managed even that after the hysterectomy. I was exhausted and had very little stamina. I started out before the surgery very tired because of the chronic pain of the endometriosis and cysts.

I would guess that recovery time would be very similar to the recovery time after a c-section. Abdominal surgery is abdominal surgery.

I took prescription pain medication for a week or two and then took ibuprofen. My abdomen was tender for months afterwards. My endometriosis had migrated outside my intestines which meant they removed them to clean the endometrium out.

I still had low level chronic pain monthly until I went thru menopause because they were unable to remove all of the endometrium. With one ovary left the body continues to have menstrual cycles. We just don't menstruate. The pain was never as severe as it had been before the surgery.

We need the hormones that ovaries produce to protect us from a wide assortment of conditions. HRT doesn't do as good a job as our ovaries do. If I were to do this over again, I'd still leave one ovary in.

I would get a 3rd, then a 4th, then a 5th opinion before doing something as radical as a hysterectomy at your age. Fyi, when my periods returned after my third child was born, they were extremely heavy for a year (same as you...a full 7-8 days and changing super-plus tampons every 2 hours). Prior to that, they had been short and light my whole life. Fortunately, they have almost gone back to that now. I think my body just needed time to readjust after my 3rd. Maybe yours does too? Even aside from that issue though, you can't go back from a hysterectomy and I would hate to see you regret it down the road.

I think you should at least keep one ovary. If you can't have 2 one is better than nothing.