Cervix or no cervix?

Hello, I am new to the site and I am having a hard time finding the information I am looking for. I have endometriosis, fibroids, heavy menstrual bleeding and sever cramps. I went for an ablation and they perforated my uterus. Now they are saying that I should have a hysterectomy and it is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2008.

They are planning on leaving my ovaries, so I do not go into menopause at age 35. However, my grandmother died from ovarian cancer, so should I have them removed or not?

They asked whether I wanted to keep my cervix or have it removed and I have absolutely no idea and I am having a really hard time trying to find any information on the difference between the two and which is better? I have a very active sex life with my boyfriend and I do not want that to change. I have never had an orgasim through intercourse, however I can have them through oral stimulation. Is it better to keep my cervix or have it removed and what is the difference? And does it affect my sex life?

The hospital here is not set up to do a laparoscopic hysterectomy, so they are doing an Abdominal one. Is that okay or should I go to the next city and have the laparoscopic one done? I have neve had children, so I do not know if that makes any difference?

After the mess up with the first surgery, which was a minor surgery, I am scared to death about having this one which is a major surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lee Ann

Lee Ann,
I am almost 3 weeks post op, I am 25 y/o. I also have a strong history of cancer in my family, and I also suffer with endometriosis. After seeing several specialist and having two laps to remove endo, I finally had my hysterectomy. I chose to have everything removed, uterus, ovaries, tubes, cervix, and any endo/adhesions. I was put into menopausal state three months before surgery.I can tell you that after speaking with my DR extensively we both agreed that having the surgery abdominally was best because they can see everything and remove anything that needs to be removed as well as spot any other potention problems. I chose to have my ovaries removed because they were covered in endo, and I also had reoccuring cyst, plus the family history of cancer. Because of the endo and the family history of cancer I am not taking and will not ever be taking any Hormones. Since June I have been without hormones and let me tell you I feel absolutey amazing. I feel like a new person. I do take some Fiber choice and Caltrate to prevent heart disease and osteoporosis, but I still feel amazing. It is really a give and take situation. And I know everyone is different but I am just sharing what worked for me. Oh and if I were you I would get an endo specialist or atleast a well trained surgeon to do your surgery, I wouldnt take a chance with this DR again. I hope all goes well!

Hi Lee Ann,

I am having TAH on October 1st including the removal of my cervix. What made my decision easier is that I have some risk factors for cervical cancer and I'll no longer have to worry about that. No pap tests...... yeehaw.

As far as intimacy, I heard it can be 'different' and actually sometimes better because of the lack of pain, anxiety etc.... I've had two colposcopies, and cryosurgery on my cervix so it is in rough shape, and none of those procedures changed my libido. If anything, (tmi warning!!!) my cervix has been a problem in that if it gets bumped, it's very painful.....

My decision was easy. I wish you the best with yours.

G

I would discuss extensively your cancer risk with your doctor. I had precancer cells on the cervix 15 years ago, but when it came time for my hysterectomy (last week) my doctor and I decided to keep the cervix. I don't think this is a decision you can make yourself. On this one I would have to say listen to your doctors advice.

Hi LeeAnn, I had TAH & ovaries removed on 8/8/08. I live in Australia. I had my cervix removed. I also qstnd my doctor about this & he assured me pre op that I wouldn't notice a difference. After only getting married in April this year I too was concerned about not having a cervix. The doctor explained that the orgasm comes from the nerve endings in the vagina & your G spot is still present. I am now 6 weeks post op & have had sex a few times. I am still able to orgasm & do not feel any different than I did pre op, of course we are still having to take things steady. I don't know if this is the same for all women, but I cannot tell the difference btw having & not having a cervix.
I was not able to have laprascopic hyst. as the fibroid I had was too large (16cm), its my understanding that it is less invasive & recovery time is a lot quicker than abdominal. Hope this helps !! Good luck, best wishes to a speedy recovery & a continued healthy sex life.

Hi LeeAnn,
I very much wanted to keep what I could and because I had a normal pap smear my doctor said there was no reason to remove the cervix. Someone had said to me (not a medical professional, tho) that the cervix is helpful for various bladder things. So I was just as happy to keep it.

My left ovary was thought too diseased to keep but that proved (during abdominal surgery) not to be the case. So I lost the uterus and the 12 cm cystic fibroid hanging outside it but kept both ovaries.

I read somewhere (and again I'm just repeating something I read, I have no medical experience at all!) that ovarian cancer can show up even if you remove the ovaries. And I read that sometimes just removing the uterus helps prevent ovarian cancer.

But I have a very different family history -- you are facing
such serious issues. I hope you really like your doctor and can discuss everything at as much length as possible. I felt very shell shocked from the minute my doctor called and recommended surgery (May 28) till surgery (Sept. 8). Over the months I thought of new questions and eventually managed to ask them. But I had the luxury of time. (Not always a blessing, of course.)

I so hope the decision gets easier (I found this part of this experience very upsetting).

its really a personal choice. i wanted to keep anything that was healthy and i wouldnt have anything removed for something that i "might" get. i too have a wonderful sex life and didnt want that to be affected in any way, so i kept my healthy cervix. i also like the sensation of it being bumped during sex. as for my ovaries, i didnt want to go into surgical menopause and start trying to figure out hrt.
i traveled 2 hours to have my lsh and YES..it was definitely worth it. why have an almost hip to hip incision when its possible you can have a couple 1 inch incisions? having had 2 csections, i can tell you that the recovery from the lap is so much easier.
good luck with your decision..just do lots of research and decide what is best for you