remove/don't remove the cervix?

It's been great reading all the encouraging and supportive things that those of you that have had the surgery have to share. I am waiting until after the holidays to have my surgery so that I won't be in bed for the holidays.

My GYN suspects adeno, I have had very painful, heavy periods for years now that just keep getting worse as time goes on, they last 6-10 days at a time now. Tried BC continously to stop periods, that only lasted a few months then my period was continous for about 6 weeks. Laparoscopy shows no endo and only a small cyst on one ovary that has been drained yet the problems perisist. The question that I keep coming back to is whether or not to remove the cervix as well. I have some slight prolapse and one Dr recommends removing it and another says it's not necessary. I'm concerned since I'm a 34 year old woman (obviously) who wants to continue a healthy sexual relationship after surgery. I've read scary reports about the affects the removal of the cervix has on sexual satisfaction, and as I said that's not a part of my life that I want to change. The doctor that recommends removing the cervix is concerned that it will just end up causing me problems in the future. If anyone can tell me about their experiences either way I would really appreciate it. Just trying to find out all I can so that I can have peace of mind that I made the right decision after the surgery.

Sorry for all the rambling on. Just alot of things to think about.

I am about 9 1/2 weeks post-op and had my cervix removed (kept ovaries) and I can tell you it did not effect my sex life one bit.

This was a HUGE concern for me and my first time after surgery was about 2 weeks ago and it was fantastic. I no problems at all..no bleeding, no pain, none of the pressure I use to feel prior, no dryness (quite the opposite - this was my biggest concern) and the BIG O is better than ever. My desire has increased and it's just been wonderful.

I think sometimes those polls and reports are from women who had problems before surgery too. If you are concerned maybe another opinion may give you more insite.

I'm sorry you are having to go through this. Best wishes to you

Women who keep the cervix and at least one ovary can have a chance of mini periods because the cervix is part of the uterus. There have been many women on this site that still continue to get periods after keeping their cervix and are upset because the dr. didn't warn them or do any extra work trying to prevent these periods from occuring. I have read that sometimes endo or adenomyosis can still be present in the cervix causing continued problems with cramps, bleeding, or both.
Here are some additional links.

Is subtotal hysterectomy suitable for women with adenomyosis?
http://www.cmj.org/netprints/01/04/010421.htm
"Yet, the pathological change of adenomyosis is often diffuse[1] and even extends to uterine cervix. Therefore, in this study we make pathological examination on the incisal margin of hysterectomy specimens in the patients with adenomyosis after supracervical hysterectomy to investigate the factors relative to the positive incisal margin of hysterectomy specimens so as to guide the selection of treatment on adenomyosis."


No more periods? Yea right!
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...periods+cervix

Painful Periods after SAH
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...periods+cervix

Cervix to leave or not to leave, that is the "O" question! (The effect on sex)
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...ghlight=cervix

adenomyosis should I have had my cervix removed
https://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...omyosis+cervix

Thank you so much!!!! It is really difficult to come to grips that I have to have this surgery. Maybe that's not the correct way to phrase it since we all have a choice in this matter(or do we?). I have come to the conclusion that this is the right choice for me but I still want to make sure that my life after surgery is as fulfilling as it is now in a romantice sense. I still want to feel like I am a "whole" woman.

I just found this website today and I am very happy that I did, support from people who have had the same experiences I am having now is just what the doctor ordered.

Hi there,
I was 36 when I had my TAH and I was worried about ruining my sex life big time with this surgery. I was ready to risk it all to get rid of the bleeding and BC pills for good.
My cervix is gone and sex is as great as it ever was The big O often seems so much more intense than it was before although I am finding I prefer a different way to get there than I did pre-surgery. As long as I get there I'm one happy gal The beauty about sex these days is I can do it every single day if I so desire. That's a first. If I wasn't bleeding; I hurt, and if we did have sex I needed a couple of days to recover. No more.
Wow! The difference in my sex life now is amazing; without the cervix.
Good luck

I had the same concern about the cervix. Today I had my pre-op and asked my Dr about cauterizing the cervix as had been written about here but she said even with cauterizing there is still a chance of bleeding so I decided to have it removed.

We discussed the pros, cons and studies of both choices. I'm comfortable with my decision. I don't want to bleed.

Lana
TAH in two days