Other Opinions

I have a large Fibroid and other clusters in my uterus but am not experiencing alot of bleeding, just some pelvic pain. I was told I would need a Total Hysterectomy and am now to meet with the surgeon after Easter and possibly a gynecologist in Brisbane a days drive from the country where I am (Yeppoon by Rockhampton Queensland). Does anyone know if you can have a UAE or other treatment if you have a fibroid about 3 or 4 inches wide (grapefruit size). Also has anyone kept their cervix and ovaries? I heard if the cervix goes then sexual pleasure is reduced or changed greatly and I certainly do not want the ovaries gone - Im not one to want to go through the change yet, but I am 46. No history of cancer in family. Last question, have other women gotten more than 1 or 2 opinions? Is it worth it?


Audrey

Hi Audrey,

I can't answer your questions about fibroids, but I can address a couple of the others.

If there is not a problem with your ovaries there's no reason that I know of that you can't keep them. Some doctors want to take them out because they want to protect you from ovarian cancer later on, but it's your choice, really.

If you read the posts on this board you'll find that most women do not have a problem with sex after removal of the cervix. Again, in your situation it might be your choice as to whether or not to leave the cervix.

I always figure if you need to ask the question about getting a second opinion then it's worth getting the opinion.

Welcome Audrey, It's always better to get a second opinion, especially since yours isn't an emergency hyst. Exhaust all options available to you, as a hysterectomy should be a last resort. Some women find that they experience problems after the hyst that they didn't have before, so knowing that this was the only avenue open to you helps.

As far as keeping the cervix.......While most women report no change in sexual pleasure, I am reading more posts lately from women who wished they had opted to keep their cervix. My thinking when it comes to ovaries and cervix is that if there is no problem with them you may want to leave them. The choice is entirely yours, and something you need to discuss with your doctor. If he wants to remove them, ask why. Make sure you speak up and make your wishes know.

I was never given the option of UAE, but perhaps someone will come along here with information about it.

I researched UAE before making my decision. I opted not to have a UAE because: there are not enough qualified people that do it within a 2 hour drive (I was concerned because if I had had complications, it would have been difficult to get back to that hospital), it is relatively new so the info is not in yet as to whether or not fibroids could reoccur, and like all surgeries, it is not without it's perils. Because I had hyperplasia and mulitple fibroids, I decided to just get it over with so I wouldn't have to go through it again. DO get more opinions and read EVERYTHING you can before you make your decision.