Upcoming hysterectomy: Keep the cervix...Yay or nay

I was wondering what you all did...did you keep the cervix? I'm afraid if I don't I could have prolapse problems or that any man that might be in my future will not like it if I have it removed...would they even notice?

Hi Amunet07 -

The cervix is just the neck of the uterus. There is disagreement within the medical community whether or not the cervix helps with prolapse issues. Here are articles that may help provide information to you:
10 Questions to Help You Decide about the Cervix
Hysterectomy, Cervix, and Intimacy
Hysterectomy, Cervix, and Pelvic Organ Support

I did not keep my cervix - no choice for me. My DH does not notice any difference. Sex for me does feel different, though. My orgasms are not as intense (I miss the muscle contraction of my uterus, which has nothing to do with cervix loss). The orgasms are more frequent, however. I have not had any prolapse issues, and it has been nearly 5 years.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns and make the right decision for you.

My surgeon wanted to do an LAVH, which would have required removal of my cervix, but I pushed to keep it. While I didn't have any sex-related concerns, I do believe that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." My cervix was perfectly healthy, with no history of cancer or other issues, and my research showed that I would be better off keeping it. We discussed it at our next appointment, and settled on LSH, which turned out exceptionally well. Hopefully the articles that Marestail has recommended, and talking with your surgeon, will help to clarify your decision. Best wishes for whatever you decide!
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I was not given an option. Cervix is gone. My husband said it doesn't feel very different to him. That is certainly wasn't getting in the way of him having fun.

Thank you

I wanted to keep my cervix due to my Dr said it can aid in orgasm. Sex is something i wanted to try and keep as good as possible. I never had any bad pap smears and also no family history of cervical cancer. My Dr also said some times it is easier to not mess with the bladder as much when not removing the cervix but can't really tell til he got in there. I had abdominal surgery had 3 c sections. I also saved 700.00 out of pocket when the insurance code was changed to supra-cervical hysterectomy. I can't give any feedback in regards to the big O as I'm not 6 weeks post opt but the 700.00 savings was great Good Luck. My friends who had hysterectomies were never even given the option

I had mine removed because my hysterectomy was done because of fibroids, and I was told that fibroids can grow on the cervix after a hysterectomy.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Amunet07 I was wondering what you all did...did you keep the cervix? I'm afraid if I don't I could have prolapse problems or that any man that might be in my future will not like it if I have it removed...would they even notice?

I had to keep mine because my csections had caused scar tissue to adhere my cervix to my bladder. I think my recovery was easier because of it!

Did not keep mine. I was prolapsed - bladder, rectum, and uterus. Ah two ten pound kids that I love but they did a job on my guts! Also had a history of failed Pap smears and dysphasia. Had surgery years ago to address it but still kept failing. So for me it made sense to get rid of the potential time bomb. And I feel great! Sex is just as good and DH agrees.

Still debating what to do myself. I have a uterus full of fibroids, from softball size to very small and cysts on my cervix. Never had a pap that wasn't normal and I'm HPV negative and I've been married in a great relationship for 20 years so very unlikely I would ever contract it so low chance for cervical cancer. But, I was going to try the mirena IUD to control my heavy bleeding that is causing anemia but my doctor couldn't even get it all the way in because of a huge fibroid right at the interior opening to the cervix. $1000 and the stupid IUD fell out within 3 hours. I had a previous IUD 14 years ago that got caught behind a fibroid and the string retracted into my uterus. Doc had to try to grab the string with an instrument within my uterus before I could try to conceive my second child.

My Doc says if cervical stimulation is important for me to orgasm (it's not) we should try to keep it. But there is a risk of fibroids regrowing if I keep it so it might be better to take it. And I might not have a choice if the current fibroids are adhered to it ( didn't look like it on the ultrasound but you can't always tell for sure).

Don't know if any of this helps you but these are some things I'm weighing against the possibility of a faster and less complicated recovery if I keep my cervix. And there are no guarentees of recovery being easier or that keeping my cervix will help to have better sex. Ugh. At the end of it I might have to trust my Doc to make the final call based on what he finds the fibroids are doing and what adhesions he has to deal with from my two c-sections. Pretty easy for me to trust my Doc as I've known him for 20 years and he's awesome. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be in that position.