A Cervix Question, Can Someone Please Help Me?

to my sisters,

I have a very important question, well at least to me it is. I have not found anywhere, books, web-sites, gyn anybody who can help me with this. I was going to have a vaginal hysto, keeping my ovaries. Then when I went to sign the papers and ask my about my list of questions, he assumed to take my cervix. I said no, I would like to keep it. (Figure if there is nothing wrong with it, why take it, right?) So, he said, oh, ok fine...we'll have to change it to a "superacervical hysto-remove uterus, leave cervix and ovaries". Now, I'm a bit 'ticked' that he just assumed to take it. My gyn does vaginal hysto's if at all possible because it's easier on the patient and the recovery time is so much shorter. So, now my question is this, how does the cervix affect you? Leaving in or out, does it really matter??? Why didn't I ask him? He was in such a hurry.....when we got done our conversation, he told me to go speak with so & so in the office and tell them the op is being changed, and said 'see ya there' and left the room. I'm not saying he's not a good dr. I did a background check on him, I feel comfortable with him, but this part is really bothering me. Can someone here please help with my question? Oh and forget trying to call the office. I tried for 3 DAYS to get through to get my script renewed, and finally just went in myself. Told the lady there I couldn't get through on the phone, she said 'there's alot of gals that can't, and they just come in"....Why not get another phone line???????? Anyway, these past few days have been really hard for me, and I am very anxious in all of this (6 days to go)~~~~I just need an answer. Thank you if someone can help me
Eileen

Okay, this is strictly my point of view.

When I asked my dr. about my cervix, he said that he normally takes it with the uterus because it really doesn't serve any purpose and it decreases cancer risks. I trusted him and said okay.

I am now 6 weeks post-op and I must say that I do not miss my cervix at all. It's absence has had no impact on me or my sex life whatsoever. Libido and lubrication is the same if not better than it was before. Plus, I don't have to worry about paps anymore.

You must do what you feel is best for you. Good luck!

I can't really answer your question except to say that this was a total surprise for me as well. I had NO idea that they might take the cervix and thought this was strange. In my case, I think it will have to be removed due to uterine fibroids, but have not talked to my doctor about this yet. I can totally feel for you, your doctor really should have explained himself better to you. I'm not really sure but I would think there should be no reason, unless he gives you one, to take the cervix and I think he assumed too much. Sorry I could not answer your question, hopefully someone will. Good luck with your surgery and I would try to get a better answer out of your doctor.

Take care!!

I had a TVH in February and they took my cervix. My understanding if it is done vaginally its easier to remove the cervix than to keep it cuz its attached to the uterus. I have also been told if you keep your cervix that you may still have a light monthly period because in essence you are keeping a little tiny bit of the uterus to keep the cervix. I said take that sucker i dont want to have any more periods at 43 YIPPEEEEEE.... Anyway at first it felt a little tighter and shorter but with more and more time (sex) it is being stretched back to normal. As far as sex feeling same it did to me but i have heard some say its totally different to them. I think each womans body is different and it just depends the main factor is that i did not want an abdominal if i could help it and no more period or anything that could prolaps. Good luck in your surgery and have a speedy recovery.
Tango

Eileen,

I noticed that this question of keeping or removing the cervix keeps coming up a lot in the posts so I thought I would add in my $0.02.

According to my doctor, who is a female, and specializes in female reproductive issues (I forget her exact technical title) she said that the cervix is part of the uterus it's one organ, not two separate organs like we are led to believe. The cervix is the bottom of the uterus. She showed me a picture of a real live uterus that had been removed from a woman's body and sure enough, the cervix didn't look like anything... it was the bottom half of the uterus or if you were to picture a balloon, deflated, upside down, it's the narrow part and the part you would blow into. I always thought the cervix was separate.

That said, I also suffer from endo AND I had cervical cancer so if I were to keep my cervix, then I would have to continue with my 6 month paps, and I could potentially suffer from light bleeding/spotting even after my uterus is removed. My doctor explained why this is, but I cannot remember her exact technical terms.

I know three women who have had a hyst (one of whom is
my best friend) and they all lost their uterus/cervix and all three say the same thing: "Their sex life is great, no changes, no differences in feeling blah. blah. blah." My friend said sex is less painful now that her cervix is gone.

One lady on this site posted a website about seeing real photos of surgical procedures I cannot remember the name, but maybe she will read this and post it again. On this site you can see real photos of what our organs look like removed. (If this helps any????).

Anyway, good luck with your decision. I hope some of this was helpful.

Te cuidas (take care)
Warm Regards,

I saw that post too, was it pelvicfloor.com?

Eileen,

I had a LSH and I am very happy with my surgery results!!!

For a brief time, my Dr. was looking at doing a vaginal hyst on me also. He switched me over to a LSH. I think he did it because I too stressed interest in keeping my cervix and I am also in good shape and work out. My Dr. told me, for a LSH surgery, I needed a sturdy cervix, normal pap smears for years and cervical cancer does not run in my family. My Dr. said 3-5% of women get cervical cancer so I felt I had good odds. I also wanted a less evasive surgery, if I was a candidate.

My Dr. told me by keeping the cervix, it helps with future pelvic ligament support and it also helps with sex. We are born with a cervix so, in my opinion, it has a use. Also, I read on the internet that a LSH helps to preclude bladder problems. My bladder and colon are working great!!

I can just say that maybe you were "lucky" that your Dr. can do both surgeries. I felt that way about mine. In being on LSH forums, it seems like a number of Hyster Sisters could be candidates for a LSH and their Drs do not know how to do laparoscopic surgeries. Hard to believe in the 21st century!!

Laparoscopic surgery takes more medical training and it sounds like your Dr. has that. Sounds like you trust your Dr and he is just a very busy guy!!

All I can say is, I cannot say enough about my LSH. I had my surgery as an outpatient and I was home that night. I was back to work slowly at 2 weeks and at 6-8 weeks, I could not have been better. My LSH gave me my health back!!

Good luck.

Eileen,

A P.S. on the LSH. If you decide to keep your cervix, ask your Dr. about cauterizing it. I had mine cauterized and it helps to prevent the mini-period you read about. I have had no periods.

If you had requested a vaginal hysterectomy, your cervix would automatically be removed. It has to be removed because it's one piece and the cervix would come out first, followed by the attached uterus. The cervix is simply the bottom part of the uterus, containing the "opening". There are no other options when you have a vag hyst except for laparoscopic assisted, but your cervix will still be removed.

Should you decide to keep your cervix, this can be achieved by doing it abdominally through a large incision or laparoscopically, which you'll need to be evaluated for. Some people are not laparoscopic candidates due to their own personal medical situation and not all doctors are trained to do them this way.

Asking questions is the intelligent way to go so you can make the best choice for YOU!

Good luck and take care,

Jackie

Here's my opinion on keeping or removing your cervix.

I also had the option and asked several firends of mine, all of which have had a hysterectomy. EVERYONE of them took the cervix and said they didn't miss it at all. I figured since I have a stong family history of various "female" cancers including cervical, if I had it removed it would be one less thing to worry about in the future.

I am eight weeks post-op as of today and can honestly say that I made the best decision for me. For the first time in my 11 year marriage, intercourse is enjoyable as my DH no longer "bangs his head" on my cervix! In the past the pain would bring tears to my eyes, now the discomfort is simply a result of the surgery and getts better all the time.

Give it some thought, you'll do what's right for you.