Questions

I started my periods at 9 years old and am now 22. I have lower backaches and terribly painful periods with heavy bleeding since I was 10. I tried birth control about two years ago and stayed on for a year and half. The side effects I experienced made me as debilitated as having a period. I also had problems with my liver, so that is no longer an option. I had a lap and found out that I have endometriosis, adenomyosis, and a tipped uterus. I'm still in a lot of pain and past the recovery time of the lap. My backaches have not gone away and the cramps leading up to my period are really bad. I feel that a hysterectomy is my only alternative.
If the pain doesn't go away after a hysterectomy I don't want to feel stupid for having done it. I'm looking for advice from someone who had a hysterectomy under 30 and is passed the recovery process. I'd like to know, besides the obvious (inability to reproduce) are there any complications, serious long-term risks, discomforts, downsides, to having a hysterectomy (while keeping the ovaries)?
I'm also afraid I may lose one of ovaries too, if you have advice about removing one or both ovaries I'd apreciate that too.

Thank you. This is a wonderful site, I'm so grateful I surfed onto it.

Asking questions prior to a hyst is the best way to go!

I had my hyst 6 years ago when I was 25 for endometriosis. I am going to tell you my honest experience.

Due to complications with my hyst that led to internal bleeding, my system basically crashed. Therefore, I have never really regained my complete health. I am not as energetic as I once was. I feel older than my 31 years. I do not believe this has to do with the fact that I had a hyst, but with the fact that I had the complications that led to a very long recovery. I was down for 6 months. By getting to so low, other health issues cropped up.

Additionally, a hyst does not cure endo. Therefore I can still experience pain. I had almost a year of pain at 5 years post op that has finally settled down. I have lower back aches with my cycles as well -- I kept my ovaries for the benefit of my overall health so I still have PMS and that is typically when I have the lower backaches.

I do feel the hyst was the right option for me. However, it was not a cure and I have never been the same. I have made many changes in my life trying to regain my health that I once took for granted.

I highly recommend reading as much as you can about your medical issues. You can start here: Hyster Sisters' Endo/Adeno Resources.

Know that there are pros and cons to having major surgery. There can be complications. Seek at least a second if not third and fourth opinion. If at all possible, visit with an endometriosis specialist.

Many best wishes to you for whatever you and your medical team feel is best for you!