Is it better to leave cervix or remove it?

I was planning on leaving my cervix and discussed it with my dr. and thought we were leaving it in, and then I saw my order later and it says total hyst. So, soes anyone have any advice about keeping it in or taking it out. I need to make a decision, but am having a hard time deciding. I am hoping others who have been through it can offer me their oppinions about it. Thank-you.

Hi crystaldawn!

To date, there is no proven scientific evidence that retaining the cervix (which is a part of the uterus, by the way, not a separate organ) is of any benefit to hysterectomy patients. In fact, a fairly recent scientific study shows that hysterectomy patients who have their cervix removed are no more likely to experience sexual difficulties or urinary or bowel problems after surgery than women who retain their cervix. You can read more about it here:

Total Versus Sub-Total Hysterectomy

I had a total abdominal hysterectomy which means my cervix was removed. Prior to having my hysterectomy, while going about my daily routine of life, I never was “aware” of my cervix, just as I am unaware of other internal organs. So losing my cervix hasn’t made any difference to me. (Except that I never need to have annual PAP smears, which is a relief since that's not an activity I ever enjoyed.)

Some hysterectomy patients who retained their cervix claim that keeping it has been a benefit to them. However, since they have never experienced life without a cervix, they have nothing with which to compare it. Perhaps they would also be pleased with their surgical results if their cervix had been removed.

After reading dozens if not hundreds of posts here through the years from Hystersisters.com members who kept their cervix and later had to have a second surgery to have it removed, I am very happy I ditched mine.

If you are a patient who has a choice whether or not to keep your cervix, I hope that, in partnership with your doctor, you choose the option that ends up being the best one for you.

Many s and Best Wishes,

Hi Crystaldawn,

There can be two schools of thinking on whether to keep the cervix or not. I had a LSH and kept my cervix and I am still pleased with the decision.

In pre-op, my Dr. told me that he thought the cervix helps with future pelvic support and with sex. I also had normal pap smears for years and a sturdy cervix..and in discussions with my Dr....he said I was a good candidate to keep my cervix. Also, my Dr. told me that cervical cancer occurs in 3% or less of women. That was good odds for me. In my case, I was not prepared to remove my healthy cervix to prevent something that might never happen.

That all being said...do what is *right* for you. That is what is most important.

Best wishes~

Mary

If your orders state that your cervix is being removed, you need to contact your doctor right away if that is not what you had planned.

There are a variety of reasons for keeping or removing the cervix. Some have a choice, some do not. I did not have a choice because my cervix was already being affected by the endometriosis.

I can share with you that my cervix has been gone for almost nine years and I don't miss it a bit! No prolapse issues, no problems with sex, no abnormal paps!

I hope you and your doctor can work out what is best for you prior to your surgery on Monday morning!

I kept my cervix. Most doctors want to take it out ...they say you won't have to worry about cervical cancer later. My thoughts were if there is nothing wrong with it right now then I will keep it. I have no family history of cervical cancer and my surgery was for fibroids. If there is no reason to get rid of your cervix then it is just a matter of personal choice. If you intend on keeping it you should talk to your doctor and get your orders changed.

I was planning to have my cervix removed because I had cervical dysplasia many years ago and although they removed the bad cells, I had a botched leep procedure that caused my cervix to heal over. I had to have it surgically dilated and to date, it is still hard to gain access to. Plus, my cervix is tilted back, making sex painful sometimes.

my primary concern is floor stability if I remove it. I have had recurrent low back problems since a car accident and my physical therapist recommends strengthening my pelvic floor. Only problem is, the lower part of my uterus is full of fibroids so strengthening has been an ongoing struggle.
I don't know if removal of the cervix will help or hinder that.

For those that had their cervix removed, did you have any problems with your pelvic floor afterwards?