partial or full hysterectomy???

That is the question. There are pros and cons to each for me and the doctor has left the choice up to me. I have 3 children all born through c-sections,my tubes are clamped and I have no plans for more children. However, I'm still undecided about which hyst. to choose. With a partial I will have to have bi-annual pap smears and follow up sonograms to make sure my problem has not reoccured. With a full I may experience reduced sexual sensitivity. Any ideas or tips ladies? BTW, I'm 31 years old. Thanks.

Tarahh, I'm 31 as well and had a TAH 8 months ago. From my experience, the lack of cervix has meant 2 things: No more bleeding at all and only yearly pap smears. It has not: reduced my sexual response, shortened my vagina, caused my bladder or other organs to fall, or anything else. I had my cervix removed because I never wanted to see another spot of blood ever. Not even a small chance for a "mini period" when there is no cervix. If I'd had even one abnormal pap, I think that would have been enough to convince me...even without the "mini period" thing. (All my paps were normal, though.)

What it boils down to, however, is your personal preference. I know that sex the first few times "wasn't the same" and I wondered if I had done some irrepairable damage to my body, but as time went on, things got better. Now, I see no difference in the quality, but much more quantity because I'm not bleeding all the time.

Hope this helps,


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Tarahh,

I take it that you are trying to decide whether or not to have the cervix removed also.

No one can make that decision for you, but I am sure if you read through alot of the posts here, sexual sensitivity is a big concern when having the cervix removed. I think for the most part, most of us have no problem with sexual sensitivity even without the cervix. I won't tell you that it WON'T happen, because it can. But I believe the odds are in your favor that having the cervix removed won't cause any less sexual pleasures.

As far as the 'benefit' of not having papsmears, well I don't know about your doctor, but mine still wants me to have the annual paps. I had my cervix removed, but I still have to have annual exams WITH papsmears. He says that the pap can detect other things other than just problems with the cervix.




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LisaM@hystersisters.com
Hysterectomy & The Diseases That Lead To Hysterectomy

My experience is the same as Lisa and Susan...still need the annual pap without the cervix, no loss of sensitivity. I did not want a mini-period either, and with keeping my ovaries that would have occured with the cerix. I know this is not an answer, as only you can make the decision that is right for you. Good luck!


robinc
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TAH/BS/MMK 11/19/99