Surgery 12/31 and super nervous

Hi! I'm a 31 year old mother of 2 young boys. I had severe endometriosis and PCOS. I struggled with infertility to have my boys and had invited and fertility drugs with my first meanwhile my 2nd was a complete surprise and blessing. I've had 14 surgeries due to my endo and PCOS but the hysterectomy has me in complete panic Mode. They want to take everything because Of my issues and I don't have much if a choice. I'm worried about the after effects, not sure what to do about HRT bio identical sir synthetic? My mother in law is going to stay to help take care or me and my little ones. I'm also having the bladder sling surgery at the same time because my bladder has fallen due to the endo. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all!

I am sorry to hear you have gone through so much, so young. So happy you were able to blessed with two little ones! I too have endo, I only had 4 or 5 surgeries, lost count, lol. I too lost everything and started HRT the night of my surgery. I use the estradiol patch,I change it once a week. So far, it's been great, I was having menopausal symptoms before the surgery: moody, forgetful, irritable, night sweats. So far I haven't had those anymore, hoping it stays that way. Best of luck to you. I would offer more but I am only 2 weeks post op. It hasn't been bad at all, there's pain for sure, but nothing I can't manage and be comfortable with.

Hi Cwrenn!

I also had some nasty late stage endometriosis, and it was discovered during my hysterectomy/oophectomy for suspected ovarian cancer. My ovaries had grown to 20 and 13 cm, respectively. Neither could be saved, but I asked my doctor to save them if it wasn't cancer. However, the endo had destroyed them and covered them in scar tissue. My gyn/onc spent a long time excising endo from my bowels, bladder, and a few other spots. My uterus was peppered with endo on the outside, and I was bleeding a lot so he removed it. It turned out I had mild adenomyosis too.

You mentioned you had endured several surgeries for endo. Were any of those surgeries performed by a nationally recognized endometriosis specialist? These doctors are specially trained to go in and recognize and excise all the endometrial implants. Most ob/gyns just don't have the training and resources to do that properly. That's why a lot of women keep going in for repeated laps when the endo left behind plumps up and starts hurting. Perhaps you could visit an endo specialist who could do a thorough excision. If you can't do that, then perhaps you could get a referral to a gyn/onc or surgical professional who is trained to do these sorts of thorough removals. One other important thing you should keep in mind, hysterectomy with oophorectomy is NOT a cure for endometriosis. If all the endo is not excised, then it can continue to grow even when the ovaries are not present. It can even make its own estrogen, get estrogen from fat cells and the food you eat. It does not just magically go away when your ovaries are gone, even though you may have less estrogen than before. Read the posts by ladies who are several years post-op, and you will see that many are surprised that their endo has returned if they didn't see a specialist. Many who are early post-op (within the first year) will say hysterectomy was great, but often they change their tunes as time passes and endo has time to return. As for removing the ovaries for PCOS, as you know it is an endocrine disorder, and removing the ovaries will not cure it. As for HRT afterward, you will have some special concerns, and HRT can be difficult for many women. First, as I said if any endo is left behind, removing the ovaries to get rid of estrogen, and then adding estrogen back into the mix by hormone replacement makes no sense. It will just plump up the remaining estrogen, and you will be dealing with endo again. If however, you see a specialist who does remove all the implants, and she removes the ovaries (many endo specialists work hard to save the ovaries), HRT will be tricky for you at best. Most of us endo ladies do low estrogen and balance it with a progestin. I am now on a regular dose of estrogen and use progesterone to balance it out (and hopefully keep any endo - if there is any) at bay. For you, you would have to be very careful with progesterone with your PCOS, as progesterone is a precursor to testosterone. You may need to stick to a synthetic progestin for that reason, BUT they are more likely to cause breast cancer, but the likelihood is still slim, and benefits of estrogen are immense. Actually going without estrogen for long periods can be dangerous for pre-menopausal women. Here is what I suggest, get a second opinion, preferably with an endometriosis specialist. If you do end up with an oophorectomy, look long and hard for a menopause doctor that understands endo and PCOS. You probably should not consider adding testosterone or DHEA to your HRT. It may take some serious looking to find a specialist who can handle all of that. Of course, the amounts of progresterone you get with HRT compounded creams may be small enough that your body can handle it, but you really need a specialist who can monitor your hormone levels and can adjust as needed. Please take your time in making these decisions and don't rush into a surgery that cannot be undone. I had 3 opinions, and my GP would make 4. Remember to seek out specialists, not ob/gyns. I do not have any experience with a bladder sling, but keep looking around the site, or post a question specifically about your bladder sling concerns. I wish you the best! Keep asking questions. Here is a link to our endometriosis articles. Keep doing research. We are here to help, and provide support.

I got to keep one ovary for hormone regulation. They suspected endo, but it was adenomyosis and my right ovary had a massive hemorrhage cyst. I asked to have it removed because it hurt so bad for years. I am a little older, 37. But did not want menopause. I understand wanting to get the bad stuff out, but maybe they can save the best ovary! Keep us posted

Thank you everyone for your sweet responses and encouragement. I truly appreciate you all. I think this will be a great group to be a part of and get answers. My surgery is set for tomorrow morning so my nerves are officially on edge right now. I"m taking today to love on my sweet babies and cuddle with them as much as possible since I wont be able to lift them for a few weeks. I pray everything goes smoothly and that God be with my surgeons and guide them properly.