Opinions wanted

I am 43 years old and have a 6 cm fibroid that is causing very few obvious symptoms. I have a Mirena IUD that I got for birth control (totally unrelated to fibroid). My only obvious symptom is that my "period" shows up about every 2 weeks and lasts at least 10 days. Due to the IUD, I have very little actual bleeding, but enough to be annoying. My OB/GYN has told me that I can "wait and see" or choose to have a partial hysterectomy...it is entirely up to me. I am in excellent physical health, despite having multiple sclerosis (MS); am actually at my optimum weight and fitness level. Despite all that, I am still very tempted to go ahead with the surgery, just to get that thing out of me while I'm so healthy and can capitalize on that for my recovery. I'm worried that if I wait, the fibroid will continue to grow and start to cause issues (it has grown a centimeter in the past year). I've been researching and reading and have joined in order to get opinions from others. So let me know if you think I'm crazy for even considering surgery or if you think it's the best idea you've heard. Either way, I want to know what you think so I can weigh that in my decision.

Thanks!

My question would be why a hysterectomy? Have you discussed things like myomectomy or magnetic resonance options to destroy the fibroid or an ablation?

I would see if I were a candidate for less invasive procedures before I went to hysterectomy but that is me.

Excellent question...I have not discussed the other options with anyone, I've just read posts here that have me concerned. I guess my biggest fear is that one of those options will only get rid of the fibroid for a short time and I would end up having to have a hysterectomy in a few years. I'd rather get it over and done while I'm feeling healthy and can expect a fairly quick recovery than wait and possibly need the procedure at a point in the future when I'm not in such a good place.

I've thought about other reasons, but they could all be addressed by one of the other procedures so I guess it all boils down to timing.

I've been thinking about this for about a year since my doctor first brought up the possibility. I've already got 2 kids...one going to college next year, the other will be a sophomore in HS. So I am really done with that and have no real emotional attachment to my "plumbing". I don't want to possibly drag this out for a long time; I just want to be done with it.

Is there anyone else that feels this way?

Of course you will do a lot of research about options and alternatives but I'll offer a perspective related to surgery and aging. I am 58 and had a DaVinci total hysterectomy 10 days ago and recovery is going well but complicated by some chronic pain issues which have developed within the past year and have nothing to do with this surgery or gyn issues. At age 52 I had gyn problems and a hysteroscopy and my gyn forecast that the problems could occur again. Not only did they but post-menopausal fibroid growth developed as well. I suggested a hysterectomy instead of the lesser procedure six years ago and she didn't want to do one...yet. I regret not pushing for this years ago as I've had a number of health problems since then and recovery and other issues would have been easier for me with a surgery when I was younger. You are quite a bit younger and fit, despite the other health issues so you probably have a broader window of time here. I'm pleased with what has been a relatively easy recovery from the actual surgery but the other health issues have made the recovery a bit more stressful than it would have been six years ago. Good luck with your research and your decision.