What to leave? What to take?

Help! After putting up with VERY heavy bleeding for over a year and changing doctors twice, I've finally decided to go for the hysterectomy (either that or purchase stock in Kotex/Tampax!) I've got a great doctor now and he answers all of my questions so I understand him. My question to any of you is....I want to keep my ovaries to keep from taking HRT (I'm 43)-he'll do what I want but has suggested removing them. I also have no idea what to do about the cervix...do I keep it or not? About 15 years ago I had some precancerous tissue lasered off of it and everythings been fine since then. Any info you can forward me would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

I too had a couple of laser surgeries for a pre-cancerous condition on my cervix and had a come biopsy and d&c in October to try a less invasive next alternative. I had to go in for an ASAP hysterectomy surgery because in the pathology reoprt from that surgery they found cancer in the deeper levels of my cervix and spreading into my uterus so I didn't experience the pain and bleeding a lot of the sisters on here.

Just experience, my doctor chose to leave my ovaries since they are not threatened by my condition and I am glad he did. From what I read there are other areas of health effected by the ovaries. There are threads in here and sites on the internet as well as other information to help you make this decision for you. As for me, I only had less than 3 weeks from the time I knew I needed my surgery to when I had it so between the sense of shock at the speed of it all and needing to make financial and other preparations to be able to handle this recovery period, I have to admit that most of my research has been done post-op.

As for the cervix, I don't know much about that as I didn't have a choice on that one since that was the most effected area of my system and it had to go. I learned from threads on here a bit about how they sew off the vagina if they take the cervix and know I still have my physical sensations intact so don't feel that not having my cervix is going to effect my quality of life.

I know asking questions here was a help to me and reading through threads to glean other sisters' experiences has been a help by showing me the possibilities of experience in this so read all you can and keep asking questions. I am glad you are getting choice in this, even if the choice is hard. At least your doctor is empowering you to make decisions for your own body.

Hi Cactus Rose,

I found it very helpful to go to the "Pre Op articles" (linked from the Home page) and read the threads on "keep cervix" and "keep ovaries." I also followed lots of other links. The resources and information I've gotten from Hyster Sisters has been SOOO helpful!

Also try using "search" to find other threads on the subject. And I'm sure other sisters will refer you to more resources to help you.

Hooray for making your own decisions! That's why we're here. I myself was delighted to learn that I could have a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy because I was worried about abdominal scarring and longer recovery with abdominal surgery. My understanding is that with a vaginal procedure, the cervix needs to go. Before doing my research, that was a concern for me mostly because I was concerned about sexual pleasure. Lots of reading later, I ended up becoming neutral on the subject of keeping my cervix -- and I sure did learn alot about the physiological part of sexual response!!

So keep reading and asking and make sure you honor your priorities while making your decision. I know I am looking forward to the end of the bleeding.

nisima

I was able to keep my ovaries (was 28 at the time), and am glad I did, so that I do not have to deal with HRT issues.

Whether or not to keep your cervix is a difficult question to answer, each of us has to make a decision that's best for ourselves, but I can give you some things to think about. Discuss these things with your doctor, and between the two of you, you can make the best decision for YOU.

1. Cancer. Is there any history of cancer in your family? Removing the cervix drastically lowers your chances of cervical cancer (still a remote possibility due to the chance of some cells being left behind)

2. Bleeding. Some women who keep their cervix end up having "mini-periods" monthly (only if they also have at least one ovary). These seem to be rare, and are very light, but are a possibility.

3. Sex. There are many conflicting opinions on whether the cervix contributes to sexual pleasure. Ask 10 people, you'll get 10 different answers. I can say in MY case, at least, sex is wonderful after the surgery (I had my cervix removed). My doctor told me it wouldn't make a difference, and in my case at least, she was right - neither myself nor my husband can tell any difference.

Keep reading, talk to your doctor, and good luck with your decision!

I had my hysterectomy 5 months ago. The plan was to leave only one ovary....everything else (uterus, cervix and one ovary) was to be removed because of fibroids and cysts. When I woke up, my doctor informed me that he didn't need to remove either ovary.....he just removed the cyst from it. So I still have both ovaries, and everything is fine and in "working order" for me. I will probably have to monitered occassionally for any reoccurring cysts on the ovary, but we will wait and see about that I guess. I don't think my doctor wanted me to go into menopause if he could help it, and I trusted him with that.
Hope this answers some questions......take care.
Deb

By the way, I am 42

I also have a DR who wants to do the least invasive and traumatic procedure possible, he wants me to keep my cervix, I didn't really care one way or other. We haven't discussed ovaries yet, but considering how he always wants to do the least traumatic thing he probably doesn't plan to take the ovaries. Your doctor may figure, that you're fairly close to menopause so he might as well take the ovaries. If you want to keep them, have no history of ovarian cancer in your family and don't want to deal with HRT issues immediately after surgery then you should tell him you want to keep your ovaries, if at all possible. I myself have a list of pros and cons for taking the ovaries, but the pros seem to cancel the cons, so I may let the DR decide. I'm almost 50 and haven't too many years of functioning ovaries in my future, but am not sure about going through menopause and recovery at the same time!

Hey and thanks to all the gals who answered my question. You all gave me a lot of great information and I feel relieved after listening to all of your experiences.

I must say I am most worried about how all of this will effect me sexually. I've got a great fiance and we have terrific sex and sure don't want to lose that. On the other hand, with all my current problems, sex has been few and far between. I'm looking forward to NO bleeding and hopefully, no pain (since the cysts will be gone). How nice to have a life to look forward to again.

Again thanks to all of you. You helped me more than you'll ever know!