Hysterectomy scheduled and seeking advice

Hello
I desperatly need advice!!

I am a 35 year old teacher, and am very happy with my family the size that it is. Here's my delimma...

When I last went to the GYN she said that I needed to have a midutheral sling to control stress incont. that has been getting progressively worse. That freaked me out enough that it took me 3 weeks to call back to get more info and schedule. While discussing how this would impact me I asked how this would effect the need for a hysterectomy in the future--She said that she recommends that we do the hysterectomy now as I will already be having surgery in that area and they both have the same recovery time. So now I am scheduled to have both done in less than a month!!!
A hysterectomy has been something that we have been discussing as a **Future** thing for a few years as I have a prolapsed uterus that is also tipped back toward my spine and problems with my periods. We were just waiting for the symptoms to be bad enough. But sice I am having the other surgery she thinks now is a good time. The prolapse causes pain during "relations" unless I get in just the right spot and can be uncomfortable during my period. The tipped uterus causes siatic nerve pain that runs down both legs to my knees (mostly on the first day of my period) so bad that I can't hardly stand still but for a minute or two - moving is better but still very painful. In addition to all that my periods are totally unpredictable I may be 24 days one month 54 days the next! They are quite heavy the first day and I have had severe pain in the outer vaginal area during the first day or two for at lest a year now. Being a teacher It could be hours until I can get to the bathroom so I have to be prepared for my period..Prolapse means no tampons and wearing pads day after day sometimes for weeks ..and still not have my period show up yet...is very frustrating and causes a lot of irritation!
I was OK with the whole idea - actually thought that having no more period would be GREAT!! until I started looking for info and am now totally panic stricken!!

I do have pain and problems, but are they severe enough to justify hysterectomy?

Is this a good idea because I am already having surgery there and I won't have to have another surgery in the near future(?)

What if I have the hyst. and my sex life with my husband is ruined!!!

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!!!!!

sea shell, I just had my TAH/BSO on Friday. I was scheduled due to menstural complications, thickened uterus and complex cysts. If the bladder sling is a needed surgical proceedure, then by all means, you must put your health first. The question of prolapsed uterus and "when" would surgery be necessary would leave me inclined to believe your gyn is right. It would most likely be easiest to do both at the same time. Many women have the bladder sling or bowel tack done with any type of hysterectomy. Since it is a matter of when, rather than need in your case, personally I wouldn't put it off and wait. I would schedule the surgery for both and keep it as such. I understand the concern of your sex life, but have not had that issue yet, but was told if I do, there are herbal, cremes and medication that can be given to help.
We all go through the panic of surgery, especially when we do research to inform ourselves of what is happening with our bodies. It is normal and very natural. However, I also suggest you discuss all of your concerns with not only your gyno, but your family physician as well. I also talked with my DH and other friends who have had hysterectomies and found a lot of support and friends here as well.
Keep us posted and best of luck to you!

Hi sea shell, and

I was asking myself these same questions six months ago. A hysterectomy is personal and individual, and only you can decide the answers. Fortunately, the women here are very willing to share their own experiences with you as you make your own decision.

I had my hysterectomy primarily for severe pain caused by fibroids and an extremely sensitive uterus. The pain was so bad that there were several times when I nearly passed out while driving. I felt this put my life at risk. I couldn't do just nothing. I looked at several alternatives and carefully researched the pros and cons of them all. I had to be honest with myself about what I could tolerate and what was intolerable to me. For me, the bottom line was whether the pain was controlling my life or whether I was able to control the pain. My biggest fear was that I would never be able to enjoy sex again, but I had gotten to a point where I was willing to accept that in order to get rid of the pain. Fortunately, sex is better than it was before my surgery.

There are risks to a hysterectomy, and it sounds like you're looking at this with your eyes open. If you feel that a hysterectomy is inevitable for you, then it probably makes sense to have on surgery that takes care of everything.

Many of us on HysterSisters have grappled with these questions, and I'm glad to know that you're asking them. I've glad you found us.

Hi sea Shell, welcome aboard
I am older than you but had the same concerns. I had a prolapse and it didn't cause any pain but I knew it was not going to get better. I also needed a bladder sling for the same reasons as you.
I didn't realize until after the surgery how much that prolapse affected me. It always weighed me down and I feel so much better. I would do it all over again and I would save my self a second surgery and do it all at once if you think that down the road you will have to do it any way. Just think, no more periods
As for sex being better, that will remain to be seen, we have a couple more weeks and then I know it will be better than ever or we will practice until it is.
I know this is a big desicion and we were all in the same place not long ago, but for me, it was the right thing at the right time, timing is everything.
God Bless you in your decision.

I couldn't have said it any better myself.....

Before my surgery I was like a ping pong ball with the decision right up until the moment they put me out!! I'm still recovering, but it's really nice to be able to cough, sneeze, laugh or what have you, without fear of embarassing myself!!

As for "relations" I can't tell you yet-- I have a week to go before any of that can happen, but to be free of incontinence issues and what have you is HUGE!!

Thank you so much for the reassuring words!!

All of this has come about since Thursday (3/26). I had never really looked into what all was involved in the surgery and recovery. When I went on-line to search for information I mostly found negative attitudes about having a hysterectomy and how many possible complications there could be...although this did give me a lot to think about, and some good questions to ask my doctor, it was very terrifying!

I am normally the person who could have the house fall down around me and not wake up at night, but I have hardly slept in the last two nights worrying about this decision, terrified of the surgery its self (I have never even broken a bone before!!), what recovery will be like, how quickly I will be able to return to work......and the days have been filled with just as much anxiety!

I am very thankful to have found this site where there is a positive, helpful, encouraging atmosphere!!


It sound like most of you are still recovering....how has it been so far? Are you able to do much, or is it really 4-12 weeks before you can do anything?

The only precautions for me at this point are to take it easy, rest when I'm tired, be careful when lifting, and as I said in my previous post, no "adult activities" until week 8.....

We all heal at different rates so it may be sooner or later for you.

This website has been invaluable for the wealth of information available!! My Gyn told me to stay off the other websites because of their "anti-hyster" tone, so I told him about Hystersisters.....

I'm glad you're here gathering information and asking questions. That's what helped me the most..... reading posts from other women who went before me and gaining the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision.

You asked how recovery has been so far. OK, honestly from my view, it is easier and much better than I was dealing with for monthly cycles! Here is what I have learned. You are going to be sore. For me, that is controlled with 800mg of ibuprophen and has been since the night after surgery, but not all women are as lucky. Some require a more heavy duty pain med, whether they have broken bones before or not. Just depends on your body and your tolerance. I think the worst for me so far, has been coughing or sneezing. I am having sinus problems due to allergies, but if I hold my tummy pillow snug, then it really isn't all that bad either.
Day 4 post op, I went to the mall with DH to walk since the temp was too low to go outside, and I do not have enough room in the house to get my walking in. I walked and walked for nearly 2 hours. Now this sounds like a lot, but at snails pace, it really wasn't that far! None the less, when I got home, I was ready to rest, so I did. The true key I've found so far, is rest when you need to, walk, take pain meds to stay on top of your pain instead of waiting til "you need them", and as always, pamper yourself!
Hope the comments and replies have helped. This website is awsome, as there is a chance to talk to women who have or have had the same thing or fears and we can all talk. I have found this to be one of the best support groups anyone could have.

I had the same conditions as you (prolapse, tipped uterus, leaking). My gyn planned to address all these issues, when things really got worse. however, when I started researching, I realized there is a lot more to the prolapse then I first thought. My recommendations is to see a specialist that addresses "Pelvic Floor Reconstruction" they are called UROgynocologist. There are many ways to fix pelvic prolapses (it's rare to have only one area prolapsed) but some ways are defiantely better, long lasting etc... It's a big surgery, and you need to do your homework! I am so happy that someone here advised this to me, as I took a completely different direction then I would have if I had not researched. Good Luck!

I am having TAH & a Bladder tack next Tuesday. My Dr has been watching my prolapsed Uterus for several years, but within the last year I developed Fibroids & can't go anywhere there's not a bathroom close by.I questioned the Bladder tack also, I didn't want to be peeing myself all the time. But it was explained to me this would keep me from doing that. Now there is a small chance the way my Bladder is that I may have to take some Meds also, but I can deal with that. I know this is the right thing to do, after reading all the other sisters stories about feeling better right after surgery kinda makes me giddy!It's an emotional thing to go through, I've just let myself feel ALL of them & now I'm at peace with everything. Good luck to you & all the sisters!