Do I need a hysterectomy?

Dear Hyster-Sisters,

I have been contemplating removal of uterus and 1 ovary for past 18 months. And really don't know which way to go.

I have had about 4 ultrasounds to monitor my situation and it doesn't get better nor does anything seem to be cancerous but we don't really know.

I have a 6cm cyst on left ovary which is not growing nor going away. I also have 3-5 fibroids that seem to cause my very heavy bleeding during cycles and anemia. Also they said possibly adnomyosis and/or endo. We have reduced the bleeding by going on the pill.

I feel small aches in my abdomen all the time but not huge cramps or major pain.

My OB/gyn recommended the da vinci method hysterectomy almost right away as she said any chance of cancer means we should just take it all out since I am finished having kids. I went to an alternative medicine MD and she reviewed the ultrasound also and and said it looks like an endometrial growth not a cancerous growth. She put me on several herbal remedies for 9 months and it did not grow nor go away.

The alternative dr is not covered by my insurance so I am staying with my regular OB/gyn. She did an ablation and it did not work - she said the size of my uterus is 3x normal size and the ablation wouldn't take (also probably because of the fibroids). We did CA125 and HE4 testing and they were inconclusive - not high enough to indicate cancer but higher than they should be.

Visited my PCP and she said take it all out as any risk of cancer however small is still too much.

I have heard so many horror stories about the after effects of hysterectomies : hormane imbalance, heart disease, bladder problems, weight gain, back aches, menopause, osteoporosis, feeling like a non-woman, and the list never ends it seems. How can anyone agree to a surgery that has this many possible problems (unless of course you have cancer)?

My bleeding, anemia and probably adnomyosis are horrible but are they really worse than this list of problems?

And weight gain - my doctor said that I won't gain weight just because of a hysterectomy - she said I would probably lose weight because my uterus is 3x the size it should be - is this possible?

perplexed,
Joyce
age 48 mother of 3

Wow, I am in a very similar boat. I am sick of friends telling me to take it all out since I dont need the stuff any more.

I also have a cystocele and rectocele and it appears that the repair for these wonderful afflictions can lead to more and more surgeries down the road.

This is an instance where I wish God would call me on my cell and tell me which way to go from here. Please keep in touch and let me know which way you go.

I am seeing the pelvic floor specialist tomorrow. I am praying that she will help me make an educated decision.

Thanks for the feedback!
I guess I want God to do even more than call my cell - I want him to just take away all the issues and make me feel like I am 30 again.

Yes I will stay in touch,
Joyce