Vaginal with no prior child births?

My LAVH I had 3 incisions, tiny, one didn't even require stitches, just "glue", Took the cervix, left both ovaries and tubes. I am not sure whether you can keep the cervix when you have a vaginal, mine needed to go so this wasn't an issue for me. I would have to suggest that they may be able to leave it though because if it can dilate enough to allow a head through, a uterus is far more pliable. Just a thought, I don't know.

I've never had children, nor have I ever been pregnant. I had an LAVH. I told my gynecologist if I couldn't have a vaginal hysterectomy, I would suffer with my fibroids. He made sure I could have it done vaginally by first performing an ultrasound. My uterus was a 14-week. He said the maximum size for him to perform my hyst vaginally would be a 10-week uterus. I was given 4 injections of Zoladex. Before the 4th Zoladex injection, a second ultrasound was performed and it indicated I had a 10 and a half week uterus.

I would suggest that you ask for an ultrasound. It would indicate if you're a candidate for a vaginal hysterectomy. If necessary, you might have to seek a third opinion from a third doctor. I believe the main reason many gynecologists suggest abdominal hysterectomies is because they lack the necessary skills to perform vaginal hysterectomies.

Good luck to you!

Carol

SnowMagnolia-----due to simple anatomy, if you have the uterus removed vaginally, then the cervix has to go as well. So everyone having a TVH no longer has a cervix. That is the way I went and I do not regret it at all. Going vaginally wasn't a problem for me as I have given birth twice (8 pounds 9 ounces, and 10 pounds 3 ounces).

Mary,
Thank You so much for your advice. I will definitely be inquiring with my Dr. The only thing I have heard in regards to taking the cervix or leaving it, is that you don't have to have the annual pap smear. Do you know of any other advantages or disadvantages. I noticed there was a post stating that there would be painful sex. I certainly do not want that. Any info. or advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Although some doctors do not require an annual pap smear, mine is one that believes in still doing one annually (and so do I). There is a very small chance that microscopic cervical cells can be left with the vaginal cuff, and you might develop vaginal cancer. Also, the vagina is a very elastic organ. My grandma used to say, "It will stretch a mile before it will tear an inch." Sex may NOT be painful. I think that most of the women that complain about pain during intercourse because they lack the natural lubrication they had prior to their hysterectomy. There are positives and negatives to each type of hysterectomy. Only YOU can decide the best one for you.

Good luck to you!

Carol