Potential Hysterectomy Because of Fibroids

I had a hysterectomy due to fibroids and it was the best thing I ever did. I had no bad symtoms from the hysterectomy and mine were the size of grapefruits. I had a vaginal hysterectomy and I was only in the hospital 1 night- looking at new cars with my husband the next day. You will get a little constipated (I kept feeling like I had to go). Best choice- I too kept only my ovaries and still have not gone into menopause(I am 47). The first Dr recommended against the hysterectomy but my second Dr told me all the reasons I should do it and I am so happy I did- make sure you trust your Dr. I had mine done in 05- good luck! Intercourse was not painful at all for the first time in a long time. No more pain at all!!

Hi S.,
I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago. It was the night drenchings
I had a hard time with. Not to mention...Hot Flashes!!
The Night Sweats(as they are more commonly known as)did eventually ease up. But, even now I have HOT flashes.
In fact, I'm hot most of the time.
Sex, after healing, is not a problem, or at least I didn't think so.
My problem was with cysts on my ovaries. I don't know what UTI's are.
Unless they are infections?? I am under the impression, that answer is no.
As to your other organs "Falling", it's not sudden, it takes time.
If you do exercises as well as kegels it should not become a problem.
Since I had my ovaries removed, there was no function for my
uterus, so leaving your ovaries might be less of a problem.
I do wish you all the best,
C. S.

Hi S.,
I went through a myomectomy for three fibroids (one was 7"!!) when I was 38. I hadn't had any children yet, so I wanted to spare my uterus. If you do decide to go for a hysterectomy, consider talking to Dr. Turner in Santa Barbara. He is up on the latest advances and did a hysterectomy on a friend- completely laprascopically (through the vagina). She said the recovery was amazing- and no scars! Also- if you decide to do the myomectomy, look into calcium d-glucarate (a component of cruciferous veggies) in supplement form. My acupuncturist swore that my fibroids and acne were due to my liver's inability to get rid of excess estrogen- and voila- one week after I started to take it, my skin cleared up for the first time in 20 years. Now I am pregnant with number 2, so I will start taking it again after I am done breastfeeding. I really think it will help keep the fibroids from regrowing. If you want any more information, please feel free to contact me.
All the best, S.

i haven't read any of the other responses. there are a lot of ways to deal with the fibroids without a hysterectomy. my pregnancy and delivery seems to have solved my nitemare with them! but i have been doing some research if they come back with a vengeance like before. it may be early to tell, i've only had 3 periods as my little one is nursing and only 7 months old.

my aunt had a procedure that put something "like" a grain of sand in her vein that was feeding the fibroids. she had GREAT results and i can get you in touch with her (it was ground breaking surgery 8ish years ago) she is 65ish. And i have heard of many other options too. I've read to keep as much of your body as possible, if you can. The uterus holds up other organs, etc.

Having said that, my mom had great results from a hysterectomy 30ish years ago! I just opt for keeping your body parts as long as you can!!

I had my hysterectomy at the age of 40 due to fibroid tumors. They also removered my ovaries due to the fact that cancer runs in my family. The only thing they forgot to mention was you need your ovaries to poduce calcium naturaly in your body, so in turn I need to take at lest 1000 mil. a day. Having a hysterectomy brings you into early menopause, but as long as you don't have cancer in your family they will give you something to get you thru it. It was worth the painfully and heavy monthly cycles. I'd so it again. Good luck.

Hi S. ~
I had the same problem about 3 years ago which became aggravated when I was diagnosed with acute anemia as a result of very heavy and prolonged bleeding during my mentrual cycles. While I could deal with the painful cramps, the bleeding had to be alleviated asap. My general doctor recommended a hysterectomy but referred me to an OBGYN for a second opinion. This woman is a specialist in the field and was adamantly opposed to performing a hysterectomy because "you are too young and would lose the supporting tissues which those organs provide." In any event, we opted for a different type of procedure known as "uterine ablation". This procedure involves burning of the endometrial wall by laser and thereby destroying the existing fibroids. It was a better choice for me because aside from the heavy bleeding every month, I have been able to maintained my ovaries, hormones and uterus intact. This, of course, is only an option if you are not planning on having another child as the endometrium is unable to perform this function following the procedure. So there's my experience. I hope it is helpful to you in some way. Good luck to you.

Hi, S.. I had a total hysterectomy in my 30's because of fibroids and bleeding 23 days out of the month. They removed everything on me, so I had to have hormone therapy for a few years. The ONLY side effect I had was the freedom of not having to wear a pad every month. I could finally buy nice underwear and not worry about staining. That was 30 years ago and I'd do it again in a minute.

My mom is 62 and just had to have surgery for a prolapsed bladder. She was told that it was a side effect of a hysterectomy 20 years ago!! She did a marathon 3 years ago and nothing has been the same since. I don't know the alternatives, but there are docs who specialize in this area. The surgery was successful for her. But was told that there is only a 40% success rate. Also that she would most likely have a prolapsed bladder again in her lifetime.
Following her surgery 20 years ago she was told to take HRT. Of course complications escalated when she stopped due to all of the concerns regarding HRT.

I had a hysterectomy because of fibroids. It worked. Because they are leaving your ovaries, you will still get the estrogen you need for a normal sex life and health.

i too have dealt with this although not to the extent that you have. i had a myoectomy which revealed not only a fibroid - but also cysts on my ovary and endometriosis. i had a c/s a few years later (had a cerclage at 16 weeks and went on bedrest) so we haven't had another baby yet - but plan to (my son just turned 4). i was so thankful that i could have a myoectomy as i learned that many women had hysterectomies in the past b/c that's what they thought was best. i do know people who have treated fibroids without surgery and i personally am trying alternative medicine to help deter another from growing. not sure if you are into alternative methods like homeopathy, accupuncture, etc - but i would look into it before going for surgery. i know how terrible your periods can be - so painful - but i personally would try every avenue before getting a hysterectomy.

here's some resources to check out

http://www.womentowomen.com/hysterectomyandalternatives/f...

http://drbenkim.com/articles-uterine-fibroids.html

take care!!
J.

S. O.,
I had a hysterectomy when I was forty, and it was fine. I had one ovary taken (ooverectomy),and a hysterectomy together. I had suffered from long periods, heavy 8 days a month. I had major crampy, and fybroid problems. I held off for many years, trying everything to keep from having one. First off, if you keep an ovary, you do not have a hormone imbalance. It only happens if you have the ovaries removed. Then they usually put you on hormones until you hit menopause. Yes, you will still go through premenopause, and menopause. When they went to do the surgery, they found that I had endometriocis and adnomyosis. That is fibroids inside and outside the uterus. I had tried all types of exercise, running and such. I managed to cut my period by one day a month. But, it put me in shape for the surgery. I recovered very quickly and completely.
If you are sure that you do not want any more children, then go ahead. But if you are not sure, wait. My mother, and two of my sisters also had to have hysterectomies. The sisters had their ovaries removed and had to deal with adjusting meds, etc. I had no hot flashes. They had to deal with them immediately. If you can hold off for a while, and want to try again to have the fibroids removed do so. I know I had to have one, but sometimes you wonder why it had to happen to me. The reason I am saying to wait if possible, is there are so many ways of dealing with fibroids now. Medications, minor surgery, and possibly other alternatives. I gained about 5 lbs over a period of time after the surgery. My doctor told me a weight gain of 5 or 10 lbs is normal. I was still able to do 40 sit ups in a row after the surgery. You can still exercise, and you will have a scar in the pubic hairline where the incision was made. It is well hidden though. Stress and hereditary factors played a role in my surgery. I also was anemic most of the time, that got old and I was tired of that. No pun intended. So for me, it was time, and necessary for me to have the hysterectomy.
Do get a second opinion. I did, and it made me feel better about the surgery.

I know this could have been better organized, but I hope the information calms you and you feel more informed. If you have any more questions or need more information, just send me a message.

E.:)

Hi...

Bummer! I had the same problem but waited until the fibroids were large enough that a "vaginal" hysterectomy was impossible and I had to be opened up. If your ovaries are healthy, you can have your uterus and cervis removed, but ovaries remain (as was my case). When your ovaries remain, you don't go through any hormonal changes. If I were in your situation, I would go with a hysterectomy and be done with this once and for all instead of trying another myomectomy. I shared your concerns about other organs "falling" and intercourse being "different", but rest assured, for me everything has stayed where it belongs and intercourse has been as wonderful as ever! I was 35 when I had my hysterectomy and just celebrated my 46th birthday with nary a complication. Check out the site www.hystersisters.com Best wishes to you!