Will Hysterectomy help urinary frequency and low back pain?

Hello, ladies!

This is my first post and I'm so happy to have found this site. I recently had an ablation to help with severe bleeding from a large uterine fibroid. So far, great results with the bleeding problem. But I have 2 related questions and hope to gain input from as many women as possible to get some insight.

#1 - I have low back pain that appeared at the same time as the fibroid, and even though an MRI shows the fibroid is not touching my spine, my GYN mentioned that it "could be compacting things." Still, though, she is doubtful that a hysterectomy would resolve this unexplained back pain. I do have "Degenerative Disc Disease," (DDD) which I've learned that we almost all do as we age. It just bothers some but not others. My concern is the timing -- the back pain showed up in tandem with the fibroid, so I'm less likely to attribute it to DDD and more likely to attribute it to the fibroid. Has anyone had relief from back pain following a hysterectomy?

#2 - I have major urinary frequency, probably from the fibroid. But I've read on this site and elsewhere that surgical menopause (hysterectomy) can often cause urinary incontinence. Yikes! So, if I get a hystercomy, would I just be trading one problem for another? Not peeing so much, but instead peeing my pants?

If it helps to know, I just turned 50 and menopause is likely just a few few years away. But I've read that not all fibroids shrink post-menopause or only shrink 50%. I don't want to have back pain my whole life because I didn't get a hysterectomy!

THANKS for your time and replies!!

Take care,
Julie Rose

julie rose

You're very wise to research thoroughly since a hysterectomy is a big decision and major surgery!

I can't help with your first question but can share experience with regard to the second. My one enormous fibroid had completely squished my poor bladder to the point where I couldn't go more than an hour (or probably less) without needing the bathroom. Following surgery, the difference was remarkable! Even after 5 years, I'm still thrilled at being able to travel for several hours in comfort, for instance!

Obviously, everyone is different and some ladies do have issues post-op, but I've not traded one set of urinary problems for another ~ everything is fine, with no new concerns.

Just to clarify, a hysterectomy in itself does not result in surgical menopause since the ovaries are not removed. (A partial hysterectomy removes only the uterus, with a total removing the uterus and cervix). Some ladies, however, choose to have their ovaries removed at the same time ~ bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy ~ for many different reasons; you may be in a position to keep yours. It's worth mentioning that the ovaries can fail sooner following a hysterectomy, or can temporarily go "into shock" due to the trauma of surgery.

I hope others will be along very soon to share!

I can't help with the first question.But do have experience with the second.I have had incontinence issues since my midtwenties.I just had a total Hysterectomy and I can say my incontinence issues are no where near as bad as before.I can't say medically if their is anything behind why things are better.But for me it has gotten alot better.

As for me
#1. I suffered alot ove low back pain before my TVH / Bladder lift surgery. I was told that my uterus was lilted and with the addition of fibroids and a prolapsed uterus I have had no more back pain other than that of normal recovery.
#2. I had urinary incontinence for about 2 years before my TVH. I had this repaired at the same time as my TVH and anterior repair. They fixed it with a bladder sling (mesh) I must say that the bladder sling is working great! I think I enjoy this the most of all. Not having to worry about peeing on myself with every move I made. I have not had to wear any type of pad for about 4 weeks now. I had to wear a pad everyday for the past two years. FREEDOM!!!
Good luck with your up coming surgery.