thanking the goddess for this site...

I am so grateful to have discovered the Sisters! This is my first post.

Here's my story:

- In 1985, I had a grapefruit-sized ovarian cyst removed via abdominal incision. My doc was very old-school and took out my ovary at the same time, saying it was damaged. I've had ovarian cysts on the remaining ovary off and on over the years.

- I gave birth to my son in 1992, at age 29.

- In 1997, I was diagnosed with fibroids. They were still small, so my doc and I have taken the wait-and-see approach. I've been going back every year for ultrasounds to check on the size.

- In 2000, I had a laparascopic procedure to remove a 6 cm cyst from my remaining ovary, and a hysteroscopic D&C to try to get any fibroids in the uterine cavity. It turned out that they are both in the uterine wall, so they couldn't be removed. At that time, my doc also removed a small amount of endo that she found on the back of my uterus and on the uterine ligament.

These days...I've just turned 40. My clothes don't fit around the waist. I have a constant pelvic ache and lower back ache. Intercourse hurts every time, and creates cramps and backaches for at least a day afterward. There is pressure on my bladder and my bowel. I am on the Pill, but my periods are heavy and unpredictable, with some clotting. I have menstrual mini-migraines every cycle, and the usual moodiness.

I just went for my annual exam last week, and my doc has suggested LSH, leaving in my ovary and cervix. My uterus is not huge (she said about the size of a 3-4 month pregnancy, and a year ago the 2 fibroids were about 5 cm each) but it's apparently big enough to be causing trouble. I am done having children, so I'm starting to consider hyst seriously. At this point I'm feeling completely OVER this having-a-uterus thing. I am going back next week for an ultrasound and to talk with my doc about the hyst some more.

The pamphlet she gave me about hyst was woefully incomplete, so I've been doing a lot of research. I'm so glad to have found this site with real women who are or have been in my shoes! It's wonderful to read all of your stories and experiences.

Anyway, I am not all that concerned about the surgery itself. I like and trust my doc, and I've had laparascopic surgery with her before. I'm worried that if I wait too long, she won't be able to do it laparascopically. I don't think I will feel less womanly without my uterus, at least after processing the initial loss. I haven't missed my ovary for all these years! There are many potential benefits. I am a little concerned about the possibility of getting thrust into surgical menopause, even if she leaves my existing ovary as planned. What really concerns me though, is the sexual aspect. One person told me she lost about a third of her sexual sensation after hyst, which seems really significant. On the other hand, how great would it be to have sex without pain and cramps?

I'm also wondering what questions to ask the doc when I go back to see her next week. I would love some feedback from y'all!

Thanks!

The sex thing was my biggest concern because I'd read alot of negatives about it but at the end of the day I thought 'we're not having sex anyway' because I bled constantly and had no sex drive because of my illness. Sex has never been better for us as we'd literally hit rock bottom beforehand whereas I think those who do experience less sensation and less satisfaction after having a hyst probably didn't have much of a problem with their sex lives prior to surgery and it really does change things.

I suppose my theory is that once you've hit rock bottom the only way is up.....

Hi Cat,

I'm with Xaviera on this, I had pain with intercourse for years prior to the hyst, and now it's so much better. I think, if you have pain every time you have sex, there's no where to go but up in sexual satisfaction, after the hyst. I also have felt more desire to have intercourse because of not worrying about birth control issues, there are many plusses you don't read about. Good luck in your decision. s

Marta