Hysterectomy scheduled April 29th...advice please!

**PBMama** · 04-03-2010 12:14 AM

I am scheduled to have my hysterectomy at the end of this month. I was fine with the decision to have a full hysterectomy until my mom started talking to me. So I am looking for other ladies that have had one themselves, know someone who has, or doctor who might be on here.

Here is a little bit of my history:
I have 2 daughters both C-sections. I had them both by the time I was 20 and had a tubal ligation at the age of 22 years old. I had a lot of endomitryosis (sp?) and they burned it off at the time of the ligation. Ive always had heavy flows but the last 2 years it was even worse with golf ball size clots or larger which caused severe anemia. February of 09 I had severe pain in my lower right side and ended up in the ER. They did several tests and were not able to find the blood flow to my right ovary. After more tests a tech said they "found" it but was not sure if it was the ovary because it was between the ovary and uterus. Drs finally decided I was "ok" and left me alone. My cycles became more and more irregular all year. Tried birth control which was bad idea because I couldnt seem to stay on time with the pills which caused more issues. Then we tried the depo shot. Ive been on the depo each time after my children were born with no issues. This time everything was weird. I bled for 3 weeks and then took a 2 week break to start up again. Did NOT take shot again. Since the shot wore off Ive had worse issues. I have been spotting since December. Almost every day. Also continuing with pain. It also seems like when I do pass the little blood that I do there is a tissue substance that accompanies it. So I went to a NEW DR and I love her she is the best. Did hormone tests and everything. All the blood work shows that everything is in "normal" levels. So Im a bit confused. The hot flashes and cold sweats dont help either!

I opted to have a hysterectomy as I have just about had it. My Dr asked me if my left ovary is fine if I would like to leave it in. I told her to take it but now not so sure. My reasoning was if my right ovary is bad then whats to say my left one doesnt go in a few years. I dont want multiple surgeries. So I am now faced with the decision of what I need to do AFTER the hysterectomy. Do I do hormone treatment? What are the risks if I do or if I choose not to? Ive already had low sex drive after my tubal ligation. How will this affect my sex drive?

I have a follow up on the 21st with my DR and we will be doing an ultra sound at that time. The surgery is scheduled for the 29th.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

**WildChild** · 04-03-2010 07:16 AM

Go to the library, get the December 2008 issue of MORE magazine and read the article about docs and medical procedures.

The US, which is where I assume you live, performs more hysterectomies than just about the rest of the world combined. This is not a little thing you are thinking about. The attitude toward this procedure has been far too cavalier. I know women who were told by their doctors that if they were're planning on more children it was better to just remove all those "un-needed" body parts.

Your ovaries do for you what a man's testicles do for him. Believe me they don't go aroung telling men, "well you're done having kids, it's better to just yank them out. You don't need them anymore." Even if a man has testicular cancer it is a carefully evaluated decision. But with women it's just been, having some trouble? Better yank it all out. I'm over 50 and have been shocked to have women ask me when I'm going to have "my" hysterectomy? As if it's something we all have to have.

What else has this new doctor suggested? If every thing is "normal" have there been any other options offered? At the very least if you can leave your ovaries, do. You need them more than you think. Do your research, ask questions, find out what else can be done.

**Sarah001** · 04-04-2010 10:31 AM

One of my friends had a similar situation to yours and she opted to keep the one ovary to avoid a sudden menopause and hormone treament. She had this done several years ago and thankfully the remaining ovary has been fine so it's possible keeping the one will be fine for you too but as with everything in life there are never any hard and fast guarantees.

**jeanny** · 04-20-2010 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by PBMama

I am scheduled to have my hysterectomy at the end of this month. I was fine with the decision to have a full hysterectomy until my mom started talking to me. So I am looking for other ladies that have had one themselves, know someone who has, or doctor who might be on here.

Here is a little bit of my history:
I have 2 daughters both C-sections. I had them both by the time I was 20 and had a tubal ligation at the age of 22 years old. I had a lot of endomitryosis (sp?) and they burned it off at the time of the ligation. Ive always had heavy flows but the last 2 years it was even worse with golf ball size clots or larger which caused severe anemia. February of 09 I had severe pain in my lower right side and ended up in the ER. They did several tests and were not able to find the blood flow to my right ovary. After more tests a tech said they "found" it but was not sure if it was the ovary because it was between the ovary and uterus. Drs finally decided I was "ok" and left me alone. My cycles became more and more irregular all year. Tried birth control which was bad idea because I couldnt seem to stay on time with the pills which caused more issues. Then we tried the depo shot. Ive been on the depo each time after my children were born with no issues. This time everything was weird. I bled for 3 weeks and then took a 2 week break to start up again. Did NOT take shot again. Since the shot wore off Ive had worse issues. I have been spotting since December. Almost every day. Also continuing with pain. It also seems like when I do pass the little blood that I do there is a tissue substance that accompanies it. So I went to a NEW DR and I love her she is the best. Did hormone tests and everything. All the blood work shows that everything is in "normal" levels. So Im a bit confused. The hot flashes and cold sweats dont help either!

I opted to have a hysterectomy as I have just about had it. My Dr asked me if my left ovary is fine if I would like to leave it in. I told her to take it but now not so sure. My reasoning was if my right ovary is bad then whats to say my left one doesnt go in a few years. I dont want multiple surgeries. So I am now faced with the decision of what I need to do AFTER the hysterectomy. Do I do hormone treatment? What are the risks if I do or if I choose not to? Ive already had low sex drive after my tubal ligation. How will this affect my sex drive?

I have a follow up on the 21st with my DR and we will be doing an ultra sound at that time. The surgery is scheduled for the 29th.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Hello PBMama... I am jeanny and im maintaining a blog about hysterectomy. I am providing some good information regarding your inquiries on hysterectomy. Just to give quick answers to your questions.. For the risk you will undertake, here's the link that explains it *Removed outbound link* and *Removed outbound link* . For how hysterectomy would affect sex drive, check this link *Removed outbound link* .

I almost tackle every issues regarding hysterectomy so i am hoping that the site would somewhat help you in your decision.

**Odiesma** · 04-24-2010 11:13 AM

I have had 4 c'sections and a hysterectomy due to very and I mean very heavy periods! Pads plus tampons all at the same time plus night time flooding and all sorts of things! I couldn't live a "normal" life since i started at 9 years old!
Hysterectomy...best thing I ever did!! I kept my ovaries and I'm so glad I did. No extreme hot flushes, or emotional problems and no extra pills. they just add to every thing and side effects can sometimes be a curse rather than a cure.

Try to keep an ovary or at least do some in depth research into hysterectomies and side effects. Do a google search for book on it. If I can find a link I'll try and post it.

**Odiesma** · 04-24-2010 11:13 AM

I have had 4 c'sections and a hysterectomy due to very and I mean very heavy periods! Pads plus tampons all at the same time plus night time flooding and all sorts of things! I couldn't live a "normal" life since i started at 9 years old!
Hysterectomy...best thing I ever did!! I kept my ovaries and I'm so glad I did. No extreme hot flushes, or emotional problems and no extra pills. they just add to every thing and side effects can sometimes be a curse rather than a cure.

Try to keep an ovary or at least do some in depth research into hysterectomies and side effects. Do a google search for book on it. If I can find a link I'll try and post it.