Why didn't the doctor tell me I could keep part of my cervix?!

I feel cheated and betrayed by my doctor and it has sent me into deep depression and obsessive thinking over it all. Three years after having my hysterectomy I am reading that when it comes to non-cancerous hysterectomies, doctors should ask women if they want to keep part of their cervix in. The article said that sadly --- a lot of doctors don't give women this option. The cervix helps in keeping that sexual sensitivity that you had before a hysterectomy and also --- they are finding that the cervix holds your organs up. Your organs need the cervix for support. My sex life has never been the same since my hysterectomy. The sensitivity is different. It is not as intense and pleasurable as it was before the operation. I now have to take hormones to bring back some sexual sensitivity and it still with that is not the same feeling. It only aids it a little and it is a different kind of feeling. I hate the idea of my organs not being supported. I trusted my doctor when he recommended having this surgery because of my fibroid tumour and my prolapsed uterus. Am I the only non-cancerous hysterectomy victim that has had her entire cervix taken out? Please give me some feedback ---- I am so depressed. Marcia

Hi Marcia!

I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering. First of all, I think you need to make an appointment with your family physician to be evaluated for depression. If you are already taking medication for depression and are feeling terrible and having obsessive thoughts, you should tell your doctor how you feel, so that he or she can adjust your medication to help you.

My gyn is a highly-esteemed expert in his field and he never asked me if I wanted to keep my cervix. Like you, I did not have cancer. I trust that my gyn, with his years and years of experience, did what he felt was best for me. Bear in mind that the author of the article you read was not your doctor. There are many, many different opinions out there in the medical world about lots of hysterectomy and OB/GYN issues. If you read enough articles, you will probably find writers who claim the opposite of what you read.

I hope that you see your doctor soon. You should not have to endure the feelings that you describe.

Many s to You!

Marcia,

I'm sorry you are having such difficulties. I know there is great debate about keeping or taking the cervix. I asked my Dr. about it and he explained it to me this way... He said there are 2 reasons that are given for keeping your cervix. The first being sex to be better with than without a cervix and the second is that it helps hold your organs in place. According to him there is real no scientific evidence that shows that either of these is true. He told me that of course, your organs will held in place and sex may or may nor change, but that is more related to the surgery in general rather just the cervix.

My Dr. is a very kind, compassionate man who provides me with tons of information and options, options and more options. However, he did not bring this up as an option - although to be fair, I may have just beat him to the punch. But, when I did ask he gave me more of an opinion than on any thing else we've discussed. He said removing the cervix is truly the best thing to do - it removes your risk of cervical cancer, on going periods, etc. He said that if I were his wife he would absolutely say remove the cervix. He also said that if I wanted it left he would do that too!

OK - I'll stop now!! I'm truly sorry you are having the trouble you are having! And I'm really sorry you weren't given this option! However at this point - you need to concetrate on the fact that you are healthy! Perhaps you should talk to your Dr. and tell him/her how you feel so he'll be sure to share all options with his other patients. Also, maybe he'll have some ideas that will be helpful. Maybe you need to try a different hrt level or combination!

Let us know how you are!

Marcia,

I know it's frustrating to think you weren't informed of all of your options. I asked about a vaginal hyst...dr. didn't want to... then found out many women were having it laproscopically. It's frustrating to think I'm dealing with this incision when perhaps I didn't have to. But, each doctor has their way of doing things, and comfort level with any given procedure. While I was in the hospital, a woman down the hall went into critical after having a hyst by a doctor I had seen, then ruled out. After that, I was grateful to be alive.

I also have lost a family member to depression. Hormones play a huge part in this, too. Please find someone who is compassionate to all you are going through. Some fine tuning of the hormones could be very helpful. And testosterone for libido can cause some anger/aggressive feelings. (Dr. Phil's wife recommends finding a doctor and lab who will do regular saliva testing for awhile to get a very acurate reading on your chaning hormones.) There are anti-depressants that don't cause the loss of libido, too.

If you read all the posts here regarding keeping cervix, you will find as many women saying the sex is great without it as with. I was very surprised by that. I hope you find some solutions...and we are here to support you in your quest!

Hugs



Kim

(((Marcia))) You have already gotten some great replies here... I just wanted to add that in the case of prolapse, any possibility that keeping the cervix could help with pelvic support (and I agree with Rene's DR that any evidence for that assertion is questionable at best) has already gone out the window. How can something which has fallen, help hold up other things? I'm sorry your DR did not discuss this with you... he probably just assumed that since the surgery you had was the logical choice, there was no need to explain why or what the alternatives might have been under different circumstances.

I had my hyst (also a TVH) for prolapse. Of course I did not keep my cervix... it was already trying very hard to escape on its own and only being held back by a uterus that was too big to fit through my vagina. There was no way that performing an abdominal procedure (especially laparascopically, when they'd have had to go in through the abdomen and then down into the vagina anyway, all with tiny instruments not particularly suited to that application) made any sense at all. The ligaments holding my cervix up had already loosened substantially, allowing the prolapse to occur... even if they were shortened and the cervix retained, my DR assured me that within just a few years I'd be back in either having them shortened again or having the cervix removed, and with every abdominal surgery comes an increased risk of adhesions and other complications. There was no other sensible choice than a TVH.

I have not found that sex is really much different since the TVH. I still have plenty of sensation and response. I do notice the absence of uterine contractions with orgasm, but that would be the case whether or not I still had a cervix. I have found that the key for me has been the right combination of HRT's, including vaginal estrogen (for sensation) and testosterone (for libido). My HRT's being balanced has also positively affected my moods and general outlook on life.

Since you are feeling depressed, I'd encourage you to find a DR you feel comfortable with and trust, and work on getting your hormones balanced. There are many, many options out there.. surely there is a combination that will make you feel much better about yourself and your life as you go forward from here. Please, try to let go of the angst about the cervix/no cervix question... it really does sound like your DR did what needed to be done under the circumstances, and did not do a good job of communicating with you about it. I'm so sorry that happened; and now, it's time to look towards the future... I hope it is and bright!

s,
-Linda

Marcia, it also depends on why you had your hyst. I know women who had endo on thier cervix so it isn't just a cancer concern.
Be Blessed,
Carrie