Having TVH with questions (endo and adeno)

I'm scheduled for my TVH on March 16th...taking ovaries and cervix also. I have a few questions for those that have gone through the same thing.

How long was your surgery? I have endometriosis and Adenomyosis so I know they will have to do some cleaning up but just want to get a general idea of how long I will be under. Also, how long did you stay in the hospital?

How has your recovery been? Do you take hormones and how are those working for you?

I'm worried about my libido afterwards but at this point with all the pain I'm in I will deal with it...just want to see how others are doing afterwards.

I've known I've had endometriosis since before I got pregnant with my oldest (she's 19). But just found out last week about the Adenomyosis and had never heard of it. I've been nauseous for months now, have no appetite, lost about 30 pounds in the last 7 months (I'm sure this is from being nauseous and having no appetite) and feel bloated like my stomach is going to explode (it's worse at night). I also don't sleep well at all. I've been on two different sleep meds and neither have helped. I'm hoping this surgery will help with some of these symptoms but not sure that it will. I know I can't be any worse off than I am now!

Thanks,
Trish

Hi Jamminwithtrish to HysterSisters!

I am so glad you found this site, but I am sorry you are dealing with so much. I can only answer some of your questions, but we do have lots of women on this site that can answer others.

Recovery is different for everyone, and it can depend on the type of surgery you have and if there are complications. But, you do need to think in terms of weeks and not days. You will need help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, shopping, driving, etc. You will need to take time off work. How long depends on how fast you recover and your job duties. Again, think weeks and not days. Here is an article that discusses hysterectomy recovery time.

Sex and libido after surgery is different for everyone. Some say it is better, some say worse, and everywhere in between. Here are 10 Concerns about Intimacy after Hysterectomy.

I had a TAH BSO, and for me surgical menopause was MISERABLE. My GP put me on HRT, and it gave me my life back. It is not the same as my own hormones, but it is much better than nothing. It is also better for my health.

Also know that a hysterectomy will not cure endo, but it does cure adeno. Removing ovaries also does not cure endo. To cure endo, you need an expert to remove the disease. Here are articles that discuss these issues.
Can Endometriosis Return after a Hysterectomy?
Should I Keep My Ovaries or Not if I Have Endometriosis?
Endometriosis vs. Adenomyosis

Just know that you are not alone in this. We are here for you.

Hello I have my surgery scheduled for February 26 so I can come back and post as I'm having everything removed and will be in surgical menopause.

I'm not a candidate for HRT due to family history with cancer.

I'm worried about how I'll be in menopause at age 39 but the pain I was in was absolutely horrible and I also think that it will help even if the trade off is menopause.

Let's hope our bodies will be pain fre and we can manage our surgical menopause easily!! 😊

I'll be praying for you for your surgery and recovery! I'm not sure if I will be on Hormones afterwards or not but if not I'll try some herbal remedies for it. I know we are both looking forward to being pain free!!!

I know the surgery won't be a cure to the endo but both ovaries have it all over them and they are causing me a lot of pain. My dr doesn't want to leave one and then have to go back in later to take it out. Cervix is going because of the Adenomyosis and family history of cervical cancer.

Hi Trish,

I just wanted to chime in since I also had both endometriosis and adenomyosis. The difference is that I did not know I had either prior to my hysterectomy/BSO. My docs were thinking cancer, but none was found. First of all, I encourage you to read the links (((marestail))) gave you. Second, you need to know that our best bet at combating endo is careful excision of each an every endometrial implant. With a TVH, that would likely be impossible. With a laparoscopic procedure, a doctor who is skilled and trained in the difficult removal of endo, you are likely to get better results. Any endo left behind on the bowels, body cavity, bladder, won't be visible and you could continue to have the same problems with endo even after they hysterectomy. Remember endo is a disease outside of the uterus, so removing the uterus only helps any pain associated with endo being on the uterus itself, not in other places. My doctor excised implants from my bowel, body cavity, and bladder. As for the ovaries, there are some serious health risks associated with removing them, and it does not guarantee the endo will not come back, or what is left behind won't continue to be a problem. My ovaries could not be saved. They had endometriomas that grew into and around them and they were covered in scar tissue. Though I now use HRT, if you look, I often post that I have ovary envy. It took me nearly 3 years to get my hormone replacement right, that's a lot longer than the norm, but it can happen. Going without was miserable for me. When my estrogen gets low I get anxious, depressed, no libido, etc. So, why remove ovaries just to replace what they do with external hormones? An endo specialist could remove any endo from your ovaries and they could continue to provide your hormones for a long time. We have members who have had endo excision surgery with an endometriosis specialist who still have their ovaries with no return of endo symptoms. It was mentioned why leave an ovary just to go in and have it removed later. Why would that be necessary? I wonder why have a surgery where it is likely endo could be missed, only to go back and have to have another "clean-up?" Excision surgery with a specialist is the best bet for not having to have another surgery, not just removing your reproductive parts. As for the adeno, removal of the uterus is a cure.

I'm not trying to be disparaging, I am just concerned that you may lose your ovaries when it is not necessary, and the doctor may not be able to excise all the endo with a TVH. I suggest you get another opinion. Why not, just to make sure you know all your options? Removing the ovaries is no longer standard endo treatment since endo can get estrogen from your body as is processes certain foods, and it can make its own estrogen. You may be trading one problem for another. Fighting to get my hormones balanced was difficult and painful both physically and mentally.

Whatever you decide, I wish you luck. Here is a link to our--->Endometriosis Articles. They are well-researched and written by HysterSisters staff. They are short and easy to understand. I encourage you to read them, especially the ones about endo specialists and ovaries.

My surgery took hours. It caused my doc to bump the other surgery scheduled that day because endo excision can take a while. I left the hospital same day. My recovery took 6-8 weeks before I felt normal. It was 3 or 4 months before I really started feeling like myself. I already told you my hormone story.


Three + years later I feel great. I have other problems, but no more adeno or endo pain! Keep asking questions! Keep doing research!