[TLC97]

I will try not to write a book here and just give you some of the basic facts.
Age-37, diagnosed with PCOS about 8 yrs. ago, also had cysts in my late teens and early 20's
B/C history-- pills (mini-stroke)
Depo- (gained-weight)
IUD (first one was great, second one removed as it slipped out of place)
Essure- Oct. of 2009 implanted, failed not one but 2 h.p's and my left side is out of place, causing pain during sex
Multiple miscarriages, one child, husband recently had vasect.

I am going in to have my tubes cut and both of my Essure coils removed in Jan. My gyn. has said that with some of my other issues (weird cycles, pain, excessive cramping, I could go on and on) that he is fine preforming a hysterectomy and leaving my ovaries, because of my age. Insurance is fine with the procedure. Part of me says "heck yeah, take it all." another part of me says "what if?" and is scared and reluctant.

What would you do? If you have had a hysterectomy how were things after you had it done? Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas would be great.

[WildChild]

No Way would I have part of my body removed unless my life were threatened by leaving it.

Go down to the library and dig up the Dec 2008 issue of More Magazine. Read the article about women and medical treatments. This article should be required reading for all women.

[ItsASecret]

Yep if I tried everything else and no other method was available I would. I would not get a hysterectomy if nothing else was attempted at first though, there is no logic in that. I am not terrified of doctors or their opinions, I am not a woman who thinks that nothing can harm me if I just keep a happy face on all the time. If nothing can help then I must do the drastic and if it means a hysterectomy then so be it. I am not a fan of being in pain or suffering especially if something can prevent that (ie taking a pain medication). A procedure like a hysterectomy is not the end of the world, it is practiced a lot (and will not be suddenly stopped just because others do not agree with it) and there are medications that help with balancing things after it is done. If something is slowly killing you, or at least it feels that way, then why not do something if nothing else has been working. That is just my take on it.

[JustHormonious]

If it were my choice, absolutely NOT... To me having a choice = unnecessary! At anytime before, during, or after you were diagnosed with PCOS were your hormone levels checked? Have you at anytime been referred to a nutritionist to see if dietary changes could improve your health. I find it ironic that so many women at your age are told by their gynecologist that they are too young to have a hormone imbalance, but at 37 you're not too young to have a hysterectomy. I believe in the US about 600,000 hysterectomies are performed every year. About 10% of these are due to cancer.

Educate yourself before you make this life changing decision. Get a second opinion and get all of your questions answered.