The Cervix Debate - I kept mine!

I kept my cervix for no other reason than I wanted to keep as many original parts as I could. I know some don't have the choice, but I did and I wanted to keep it!

I feel like those of us who made the choice to keep our cervix get looked down on or bashed from others on this forum because of the "untrue beliefs" that the cervix provides support to prevent prolapse or that keeping it improves sexual function. Others think we are crazy to keep it because of "mini-periods" and the threat of returning fibroids.

Debate over those issues all you want but don't put me into some mindless group who made a decision to keep my cervix based on unfounded beliefs.

I was lucky. It was not necessary to remove my cervix or my ovaries so I kept them all. End of story.

I think you're reading a lot into it that isn't there. Nobody here is oppressing you or calling you "mindless" for keeping your cervix.

This is the first time I have even heard any hint of controversy on these boards... (??) I may not have seen the posts that got you frustrated though. (((HUGS))) Usually I see just tons of support here regardless of decisions people make. I think it's great you kept your cervix and are happy with it. I didn't, and I am very pleased with that. Hope you are able to feel more supported in the future here.

I also was going to add that it wasn't an easy decision for me....I thought about it long and hard because there are so many reasons (pros/cons) from both perspectives. To me that just goes to show that either decision can be completely justified.

I guess we all read things differently. For example, I never said anyone was "opressing me".

For the most part, women in these forums are very supportive of each other.

But some seem to think their "way" and their opinion is the "right" way. I try to only post about my experience and let everyone else do the same.

I apologize if I have offended anyone.

I applaude you for educating yourself before you made your decision. The more knowledge we have the better we are at making an informed decision. Keeping your cervix isn't a "right" or "wrong" decision. As long as your surgeon agreed with your decision and you worked together to come to the "right" decision for YOU.

Unfortunately some women do not or are unable to educate themselves about the procedure they face and are limited to the decision made by their surgeon.

And unfortunately some of us were unable to keep our cervix or chose not to keep it. When I made my decision (with lots and lots of reading on this website), I felt comfortable with the choice I made.

Thank you for expressing your contentment in doing your research in keeping your cervix.

I kept my cervix but that was because I had no choice. I asked the Dr. if he would remove it but he said no. He did say that if I got the mini periods then he would try treating it and if I kept getting them then he would remove it but I just thought if your messing around in the get it all done at once.

For me it is all about making an informed decision. If you have researched and know the pros and cons and have discussed it with your doctor and have got a second opinion then you can make the best decision for you,. But there are women on these boards that have not known before surgery that the cervix is not a separate organ and if the uterus is diseased it may not be recommended to keep the cervix. If ovaries are kept, fibroids can grow on that tissue, endo can return, adeno pain can continue, mini periods can occur even if the cervix was cauterized in some women. There are women shocked that they still need paps. For some women the risk of these things is low and they feel the benefits of keeping the cervix outweigh the cons and they made the best decision for their individual case. I don't see where anyone has been bashed or implied they were mindless. But when women on the preop boards ask our opinions it is important to hear both sides. Some women aren't even told they have a choice or don't know the pros and cons before making a decision. My personal experience is that I had pain and prolapses and suspected adeno and endo. I got 3 opinions and chose not to keep my cervix since I was preserving one ovary and the concerns of endo and aadeno continuing outweighed the benefits of keeping it. My surgeon is skilled in her TVH techniques as a urogynecologist and does suturing to prevent potential future prolapses. I didn't find any reliable date that my sex life would suffer and I actually find it to be improved after surgery. I can still orgasm during intercourse, there is still a gpsot and vaginal contractions that make it as enjoyable as before. This was the best decision for me and it does not mean anyone who chose differently is "wrong". I see many women with the same conditions I had that keep their cervix and I accept they chose the surgery best for them. When we make informed choices we can be at peace with our decisions and understand that others may make a different choice.
I am sorry if you feel people have been unsupportive of your decision.