Doesn't anybody have SAH's?

I am just curious that I haven't read any threads where anybody has had an SAH. This is what I have requested, hopefully with ovaries retained.

Why is it that nearly everybody has a TAH?? From what I have read if you have always had normal pap smears and the problem is something benign (in my case fibroids), then there is no reason to remove the cervix.

Are people the option or is it the doctor's choice?

Thanks,
Mel

Hi Mel,
I had a SAH last December. I think they are more common in England than elsewhere, but are being done less and less. I'm glad my dr suggested it - there seemed no reason to remove healthy bits as well!!

Best wishes
Liz

There are several women who have had SAH's. I think for the most part though, that women chose to have the cervix removed to avoid future problems. Since the cervix is just the opening of the uterus, in a lot of cases, it's just easier to remove it and avoid the potential for cancer and other problems which might occur later in life. And studies are inconclusive as to whether there is any benefit in keeping the cervix anyway. I know in my case, I haven't missed it at all!

Another consideration, and one that helped me make up my mind was that sometimes if you keep your cervix and one or both ovaries, you can have mini-periods. Usually, the mini-periods aren't too bad, just requiring a panty-liner each month, but I didn't want the chance of ANY periods at all. I've also read here of ladies having a substantial amount of bleeding from mini-periods, and even some of them having to have additional surgeries to later remove their cervix.

The decision is a very individual thing, and one you should make with your doctor's advice.

Best wishes,

Lisa

I agree 100% with Lisa.

Actually, fibroids are often found in the cervical area-remember that the cervix is part of the uterus.

This is a decision everyone has to make for themselves, unless you are having a vaginal hyst, and then the cervix has to go.

This is the way my DR explained it to me: the cervix is not a separate organ; it is part of the uterus, basically just the opening to the uterus. Once the uterus is gone it no longer has a function. It is about the size of a coat button. It serves no function in supporting other organs. During surgery the vagina is attached to other structures in the abdomen. Keeping the cervix there is still a risk for cervical cancer, and if you keep one or both ovaries there is also a chance of “mini periods”. The bladder has its own ligaments for support.

And since it isn't a separate organ, there really is no way to tell precisely where the uterine lining begins (or ends).

My experience with sex is it is the same without the cervix as it was with it.

I had a SAH last July. Initially the intention was to remove the cervix along with the body of the uterus, but because of my somewhat odd anatomy (unusually elongated cervix, unusually short vaginal canal) it was left in place during surgery - my surgeon said it would have been an Olympian task to remove the cervix without causing damage.

I've had no mini-periods since the surgery (I kept both ovaries, too), not even a hint of blood at all. All in all I'm happy with what happened and although I have a positive family history - my mother had cervical and breast cancers - I'm HPV negative and thus statistically at a much lower risk of getting cervical cancer later (although obviously not completely risk-free).

Studies are indeed inconclusive regarding whether or not keeping the cervix has any health benefit, but as I wasn't really given the choice it was a moot point for me.

Anyway - good luck whichever way you decide to go

Blessings,

Tess

Dear Tess,
Just wanted you to know I had Adenomyosis as well with other problems I had TAH?BSO bikini incision. I am 41 and have never had children. I tried for 7 years, I understand your pain of having to go through such a procedure sso young and not getting the opportunity to have children, GOD BLESS YOU
Debbie

I will be having a TVH. I have adenomyosis and its all thru the uterus. I also have fibroids and one of them is in the cervical tissue about the size of a small grape. Most gals have a TAH when they have adeno, but my dr prefers to do it vaginally without laproscopic assistance if at all possible. He said its actually much easier on me to do it that way and its not as difficult for him to perform as a TAH.

If you do have fibroids, I would make absolutely sure there are none in the cervical tissue before deciding to keep it. My doctor left it all up to me, even whether or not to keep the ovaries. My ovaries are healthy but if I choose for him to take them as well, he will. That part I am leaving up to him. Keep them if they are only absolutely completely healthy and if he thinks otherwise, he is to remove them. I was amazed at how much the doctor really did leave up to me. He even offered another option that we hadnt tried already, but I am just tired of it all and ready to be done with it.

Just talk to the doctor, make another appt to do so if it will make you feel better. And make your decision from there.