I'm new here, and worried. Is it worth it?

I'm 38 years old. About six months ago I began to have extremely painful periods., and occasional pain with intercourse. My doctor did an ultrasound and found a grapefruit-sized fibroid "smashing" my right ovary against my abdominal wall. He told me I could have a hysterectomy, which would have to be done abdominally because of the size and placement of the fibroid. He also said I could have radiological intervention, but that might kill my ovaries. The only other option was pain medicine.

I'm worried about having such a serious surgery to eliminate pain which only comes once a month. Is it really worth it? What about sex afterward? I just got married last year, and my husband and I enjoy our physical relationship. I don't want to change that. He says he just wants me to feel better. We hadn't planned on kids, so that's not a factor.

I would appreciate any pros and cons relating to my situation.

Hi Thinkabout,

I had a hyst because of two large fibroids. I am very happy with my surgery results.

I had surgery within six months of being diagnosed because I was experiencing pelvic pain 24/7, I had bladder incontinence and my Dr. advised me that my fibroids would keep growing without surgery.

Maybe you could be a candidate for a myomectomy, where the fibroid is removed only?? It leaves the uterus.

I can suggest researching all alternative methods and hyst types. Maybe even get a second opinion. My 1st Dr. wanted to do a TAH and my 2nd Dr. recommended a LSH.

Best wishes,

Mary

I am having my LAVH Monday morning. I have 3 fibroid tumors and a cyst on my right ovary. I too, have wondered if it would be worth it since most of my pain was during my period. But, I think it would be better to get it over with now. I am young and hopefully can recover quicker than if I were older. I also didn't want for the tumors to continue growing because they can press on other organs, such as your bladder, and make things worse. Everyone I have talked to say it is the best thing they ever did. Just be in prayer and the Lord will lead you.

Hi.....if you don't want to have kids....then I think you should consider a hyst. I had mine done last June (volunterily). I suffered from bad periods since the day I got mine (at 14)...had my hyst at 44. Very heavy bleeding, clots the size of my fists, pain...etc...etc....I had fibroids (small ones) and adenomyosis. Once they cut me open...they found endo too. So.....I'm thrilled I had mine! I have been on Estrace 2 mg. since and doing great on it! No menopausal symptoms at all. Good Luck!!

Sorry, I posted a new thread and meant to answer this one. Do some research on this site on the hysterectomy alternatives. There is a multitude of information here.

I would definitely consider a myomectomy if you only have one large troublesome fibroid. There are lots of wonderful surgeons out there who are well versed in this procedure.

There are likely two options for removing it:

1. Go on lupron (which temporarily shuts down the ovaries) to shrink the fibroid to a mangeable size and remove it laproscopically. Hopefully they can save the ovary, but even with one ovary, you will still likely have normal levels of hormones.

2. Have an abdominal myomectomy where they just remove the fibroid. The doctor may be able to separate the ovary from the fibroid, but sometimes they're not able to if there is a lot of scar tissue.

The recovery for the lap procedure is much shorter (two weeks) and the abdominal myo is about 3-4 weeks.

You might want to check out the Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives forum to check in with other ladies who have had similar experiences.

I'm glad you found hystersisters and are investigating all of your options.

Take care.

This is a fabulous (and quite lengthy) article from the Mayo Clinic on the various options for the treatment of fibroids. It lists the pros and cons of each and profiles four women who each went with a different option.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/printinvok...A0D4AC3566D98E

I am also 38 and do not plan on having children. I considered other options and came to my own decision that hysterectomy is best for me. My doctor agrees with my decision. I did look into embolization and myomectomy as well. My sister-in-law's boss had to have a second myomectomy because her fibroid grew back (apparently these things have roots/tentacles). If it comes back again, she has to have a hysterectomy. For other people, this turns out to be a great option. Bottom line, the more informed you are, the better you will feel about whatever decision it is you make.

Good luck and I hope you find all the answers you are looking for.

Lisa

I guess I have a different opinion about myomectomies. To me, if you are not planning on having children, I would get a hysterectomy. The myomectomy is major surgery to, right? I feel like if you are going to have to have surgery, you might as well kill two birds with one stone. The only way to absolutey cure fibroids is to remove the breeding ground for them... the uterus. My surgeon said that fibroids usually, although I am sure not always, keep growing... thus, giving more problems. But it is a good thing to way out all your options. What is best for one woman might not nessasarily be best for another. We will be praying for you decision.

I'm so sorry you are faced with having to make this huge decision.

Like many of the Sisters have said....this is a very individual decision to make. WE are all different, so have different thoughts, opinions, etc, but only you know what is best for your body.

I will tell you my thoughts. If I didn't NEED to have the hyst, I wouldn't have. The reason I did, is because I was in unrelenting pain, and decided that I could not live on narcotic pain meds for the next 20 years until menopause. Of course my problems were different than yours, in that I didn't have fibroids (just everything else ) If my pain had only come during periods, I could have lived with that. What I couldn't live with, was the very painful intercourse. That had become worse over the years, to the point that it was nearly unbearable.

That said....I am glad that I had my hyst. It did stop the cramping, crime scene bleeding, and constant pulling and tearing feeling from my adhesions. Yes, I still have some health issues to deal with, but they are unrelated to my surgery.

The best thing you can do for yourself, is be informed. Do your research. Visit the "Hysterectomy Options and Alternatives" board on this site. They HS store sells lots of books that are helpful, or you can do what I did....go to your local library or bookstore, and find what you need. Get a second, third, or 4th opinion if you need to. You want to go into this surgery fully knowing the risks and implications.

I wish you all the best....and many s to you!
Northlights

I have never regretted my decision.

I had very heavy, very painful periods..I woke up in pools of blood..major blood clots, etc. They couldnt' find anything wrong during preop tests. Once they did my LAVH they found a fibroid and one of my tubes had flipped up and attached itself to my abdomen after my tubal ligation in 1992.

I was afraid before just like everyone else here. Also, like everyone says, it's an individual decision...I was at the point that I was tired of managing this condition and trying to work those days out of every month...I was losing so much blood that I was in danger of going into shock each month.

I am 3 weeks post op, and my first checkup is tomorrow. DH and I have had what some here have termed "external sex" during the wait to get the green light from the doc..I really hope it's tomorrow!!!