Will having my uterus removed solve the problem?

Hi! I had a tubal ligation in June of 2010 and the Novasure Ablation in March of 2011. About 4 months after the ablation, I started spotting about the time I would have had a period. It slowly progress into light periods with mild cramps. About a year after the ablation, I started getting intense, sharp pains on the left side for about the first 24-36 hrs of my period. After about 3 months of this, I made an appointment with my GYN, and he did an ultrasound. He told me the cause of my pain was fluid building up and not being released. He had me take progestrine for the first 12 days of the month for 3 months to see if that would help and it didn't. He said the only other option was to remove my uterus but that he was hesitant because I am only going to be 29 in November. I was never told a diagnosis for this "problem" but after some research, I am convince I have PATSS. The pain is increasing with each period and NOTHING (Tramadol, Naproxen, 800mg Iubuprofin) helps relieve the pain. I am schedule to see my GYN on Dec. 5th. I am going to ask him if I have PATSS and that I want a hysterectomy. My question is: Will having just my uterus removed solve the problem? or do I need to have the ovaries taken out as well?

Hi twirler:

Have you had a 2nd or 3rd medical opinion? http://www.givemeasecond.com/ Perhaps another consultation will help you to get a more decisive diagnosis.

I hope you are able to find the right answers soon. I am sending huge cyberhugs

Don't talk your doctor into doing a hysterectomy that both of you are unsure will solve the problem.
Your uterus and ovaries are very important.
I had my hysterectomy at 54, and I miss the hormones.
They stave off a variety of illnesses, not to mention the surgical menopause.

Thank you so much for your advice. My dr was the one to mention having my uterus removed bc other treatments haven't helped or given me any relief. So I guess that would be considered a partial hysterectomy?! I'm just not sure if I should have him removed the left ovary and leave the right one since the left one is where all the problems are. I have a tablet that I am writing down questions to ask him when I go see him. My only fear is that if he leaves the left ovary, that the fluid will still build up and cause me to have pain again. I know he won't do a full hysterectomy bc of my age, he is hesitant to remove my uterus but I can't live with this pain. Nor do my children need to see me in this much pain. I developed preeclampsia with both of my pregancies, the second being worse, so there was zero chance that I would have a third. Had a tubal during my c-section then the ablation 9 months later bc my bleeding was out of control and meds made it worse. I just want to have a pain-free, worry-free life in relation to my body.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by twirler02 Thank you so much for your advice. My dr was the one to mention having my uterus removed bc other treatments haven't helped or given me any relief. So I guess that would be considered a partial hysterectomy?!............................... ..I just want to have a pain-free, worry-free life in relation to my body.

Dear Twirler,

IMHO, there is no such thing as a partial hysterectomy. The gyn either takes it out or doesn't take it out.
Once they take it out, the surgery itself may have all sorts of problems.
Mine were numerous and mainly involved neurological. I am having difficulty standing up straight, walking long distances, running, etc. I am also having problems with bladder and bowels.
I have been told that I now have to take probiotics, laxatives, and fiber (for life). I have had 3 neurology consults. Interestingly enough, I walked in to my consult and subsequent hysterectomy without any of these problems.

My hormones used to keep all of my diseases at bay. They are now affecting me full force, without those hormones. I am talking about heart disease and diabetes for me.

Not to mention the insomnia, night sweats, agitation, lack of libido, weight gain, brittle hair and fingernails, etc.

I am glad that you are asking us because I want you to know what can happen before your hysterectomy.

Granted, many people never have a problem, but on the other hand, 29 is way too young to make your decision too hastily.

Think long and hard about other options.
If your doctor has no other ideas, then go see at least two other doctors that specialize in your very problem.

You can look up their resumes on the hospital websites.

It is listed under "clinical areas of interest" or something similar.
If they are not board certified in a certain treatment or surgical area, then maybe they just treat or are good at treating certain unusual female conditions.

Don't just accept the resignation of your uterus to the surgical skills of one doctor. He/she may be very nice, but is only human. Various doctors are good at various specialties and areas of expertise.

If your doctor is at a loss at what to do next, praise him or her for letting you know and then go to a few more specialists. If all fails, then you can get your surgery if this is what you truly want.

I just wanted you to know that for some of us, the surgery has been easy and fast, but it has been almost two years of debilitating symptoms that I have had to learn to live with or hire a new specialist to treat. These doctors do not live the the aftermath of the hysterectomy, we do.

If I had had any other options, I would have tried them.

For me, cancer would not have been a good option either.

Good Luck with your decision.

I have gotten a second opinion and the same thing was concluded. I need to have a hysterectomy. I went back to my original doctor and my surgery is scheduled for Jan 22. Because of my prior 2 c-sections, he doesnt think he will be able to perform a successful laproscopic. He said there is a good chance that he will end up having to do a TAH. If that happens then he will do a scar revision and remove some of the scar tissue. I have to say that I am happy to have this problem finally solved and taken care of.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by suziq55 IMHO, there is no such thing as a partial hysterectomy. The gyn either takes it out or doesn't take it out.

I don't want to argue but medically, yes there is such a thing because that is what I had done. I had part of my uterus removed, the top part. I kept my cervix which is technically the neck of my uterus or the bottom part. There are a number of medical names for this as Supracervical hysterectomy, Subtotal hysterectomy or Partial Hysterectomy.

Also the word hysterectomy refers only to the removal of the uterus. Having ovaries removed is call an oophorectomy. There is sometimes some confusion as to the meaning of a total hysterectomy but medically, it is removal of the entire uterus, and does not include the ovaries.

I just wanted to clarify this so that we are all on the same page when discussing medical terms.

Suziq, I have been following your progress or lack of it for quite a while. I am so sorry that things have not worked out for you since you had surgery. My thoughts are with you and I am sending positive vibes your way in the hopes it makes you feel a tad better.

I started having issues as a teenager with lack of ovulation cysts and heavy bleeding. Had laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis a few years back when I found a doc that agreed it wasn't in my head! Wish I would have just had hysterectomy then continued with years of pain heavy bleeding and misery. It's a personal choice for every one but for me I would have done it at 15 if I could have lived a semi normal life after! Good luck!