Tubal ligation vs uterus removal

I'm 45 yrs old. I have not had a period for 10 - 15 yrs because of the types of birth control pills I have been on and currently have mirena iud. Not having a period of course has been wonderful. My mirena has been in for 5 yrs now and needs to be removed. When my dr. recently attempted to remove it, I was in so much pain that he had to try it with the assistance of a vaginal sonogram . He said he could see the string but was not able to remove it. He stopped his attempts and offered to have it removed surgically (because of the excruciating pain). I accepted this option but now I do not want another mirena inserted. He said my other option is tubal ligation which he can perform at the same time as the removal. My question is why shouldn't he just remove my uterus instead? My mother had hers removed yrs ago with no complications. Is this even an option? Why hasn't he suggested this? I dread the thought of periods again.

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Originally Posted by Kelly6869 My question is why shouldn't he just remove my uterus instead? My mother had hers removed yrs ago with no complications. Is this even an option? Why hasn't he suggested this? I dread the thought of periods again.

A hysterectomy is a major surgery that comes with a long list of possible complications and side effects. As such, it would not be ethical for a surgeon to offer this surgery as a means of birth control or simply to stop periods, especially when there are several less invasive, less risky options available.

A hysterectomy should only be done to treat a significant health issue after all other options have failed.

If your uterus ain't broke don't fix it.

Tubal ligation vs hysterectomy just to avoid periods is not a good option.

I had a hysterectomy due to extreme pain, trying to find a solution other than this surgery did not work.

Ask any woman on this site, she would NOT have a hysterectomy simply to avoid monthly cycles.

Sorry Stephanie - I would loved to have had one years ago to not have periods and the constant reminder I could never have children.

As for an elective hysterectomy - talk with your doctor about the option. But, if it is not medically necessary insurance may not pay for it. Yes, your mom had one but now they are not done as routinely as in years past.

I am sorry for what you have had to endure charilettel.

But, I will still stick by my earlier statement. A hysterectomy just to be rid of your cycles is not a good reason to have a major surgery. If your cycles are normal and not overly painful or heavy, there is usually another way to avoid them.

I still have my uterus and am in the early stages of testing for god-knows-what, but one consideration is that having a tubal can be done under conscious sedation in your doc's office (if you do the tubal inserts) and the recovery is very short. Even for a laproscopic procedure (which I'm considering for BC depending on my test results) is 2-5 days recovery. Hysterectomy is 6 weeks? Ouch. Having had a c-sec, I would not want to have abdominal surgery again, even minimally invasive.

Just another thought - you may want to look into the hormonal side-effects and the recovery time. GL!