Hi LumpLady
I suffered for years with very painful heavy periods. Finally asked for help when the flooding caused horribly humiliating accidents and anemia - so I feel for anyone who has heavy bleeding.
I tried other options to see if I could avoid a hysterectomy. Although most women do fine - if a lesser treatment helps, then why go through all the pain and risks? Right? Thankfully, alternatives do work for many women. I know several women who've been able to avoid a hysterectomy - so whatever I tried was worth it to me to see if I might be like them. (I wasn't, but that's okay - I do not regret trying -at all.)
I have a couple friends who have used the continuous birth control pill and really like it. I also have a sister who could no longer use the pill and was switched to the
Mirena System system and it has helped her tremendously. The hormone it delivers goes mainly to the uterine lining and thins it, making there less to shed each month and now she really doesn't even have a period. A "heavy" period for her might mean a pantyliner for an afternoon! Although the pill won't lessen bleeding to the point that Mirena sometimes does, I am wondering if your bleeding might improve some the longer you are on it?
~ There seems to be an adjustment, so sometimes it takes a few months to determine whether it will be successful or not.
My other sister, and some of my friends, have had success from having an endometrial ablation. Some women with fibroids aren’t the best candidates for E.A., but it is still an option for some, depending on where the fibroids are, size, and whether they are causing a distortion to the inside of the uterus or not. Might be worth checking into as well. Seems the women who are closer to menopausal age are the ones with the best long term results. My sister and 1 of my friends that had it have never had another period.
Although most women who have a hysterectomy do fine afterward, there is no way to tell ahead of time who will do okay and who will have complications. There are plenty of women who post on this site who regret having a hysterectomy because of complications, ovaries shutting down, sexual dysfunction, bowel or bladder problems, nasty wound infections etc. Very sad.
Although I didn’t have any major complications, my hospital stay was extended because of bladder problems. Shortly after my hyst I developed a rectocele and had to go back for a very painful posterior repair. Now, I have bladder problems again and a 3rd degree cystocele - which also needs repaired.
….. Had I not known for sure that a hysterectomy was absolutely necessary, I would probably be wondering if these pelvic floor problems could have been avoided, since the trauma of surgery can contribute to them sometimes. Also, I honestly felt (still feel) like I aged a decade the year I had my hyst. It really took a toll on my body.
Anemia and heavy bleeding are the pits - I know. Being anemic to the point of needing 2 units of blood must be taking a toll on you and affecting your quality of life.
It is certainly understandable that you would consider a hysterectomy with bleeding like that, but if you can improve your health without major surgery, then I think it's wise to try. I hope you weren't serious when you said
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my idea so far, is to see what this year classroom brings( i work as a aide in k) if I need a break from the class.. then op for hysterectomy
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- If you decide to have a hysterectomy, I hope the decision is based on your medical need.
Anyone considering major surgery should have at least a 2nd opinion, if not more. You are worth it.
Please ask about your options, know what is available to you so you feel comfortable with the path you choose and the risks involved.
Here are links to some
Options Articles and links to some resources for
Options and Alterntives that might be helpful to you.
Good luck with your decisions. I hope you feel you feel better soon.
Best wishes & gentle
s,
Beth
seasonique bcp vs hysterectomy?
