side effects

Hi everyone,

I am new here and have a few questions. I am sure they have been answered before but there is so much good infomation here on these formus I might be reading for months and not ever get my questions asked.

I am considering having a hysterectomy. I was diagnosed two years ago at 35 with breast cancer that was estrogen/progestrone dependant. I am currently taxing tamoxifen to keep those pesky little hormones away my the cells in my body.

My oncologist told me to think about having a hysterectomy to keep my ovaries from producing any hormones and also to keep from worrying about having a cancer show up in those parts of my body since I am at increased risk for that.

My question is what kind of side effects have you experienced? I have already been in menopause due to the tamoxifen, so I have done the hot flashes and mood swings. My biggest concern is the effect a hysterectomy could have on my sex life.

Help! LOL

Hi shawna1170 and

Just to be sure we understand...I have a question: Are you considering having your uterus removed (hysterectomy), or your ovaries removed (oophorectomy) or both?

s,

dear shawna...to answer you question about side effects from a hysterectomy...i had a lot more done than removal of uterus and ovaries plus chemo and it has had no effect on my sex life. (it does take awhile though). yes, it is major surgery and partial recovery takes around 6 weeks barring any complications. of course, everyone heals differently. i'm well over a year out from surgery and i'm feeling great, no pain or physical problems...i just don't have the same stamina, but i'm getting stronger, working out regularly.

good luck for whatever you decide to do.

Hi Shawna,
I am sorry to hear you are having to make this decision for the reason you are. I have a friend who recently had a hysterectomy for the same reason. You may want to search for 'prophylactic hysterectomy' here. I know we have had many members make the same decision.

As far as changes in your sex life, that varies from person to person. If you are doing okay now, you more than likely will do okay following the surgery.

s
Jane

Hi Carmen,

I am not sure yet, I was at one time just thinking of having my ovaries removed but now I am leaning more to just having everything out.

Believe it or not, my sex life has improved since my hyst. Well, not because of the hyst, but a wonderful new man in my life. I was terrified of intercourse the first time after surgery, even though it had been months. The good news is that I don't have any trouble with lubrication/vaginal dryness, although I have a bottle on hand in case it does ever become an issue. There was a slight soreness at first immediately afterward, but it was barely noticeable and didn't last. I haven't noticed a difference in my own sexual response.

Hi Shawna,
As said in the post above my sex life is better than it has been in many years & the sex drives just keeps getting better. That may have been too much information. Sorry. I had more hot flashes & night sweats before my surgery caused by the hormones from the tumors. I feel better physically & mentally now. I myself agree with the doctor. My friend is a 5 1/2 year survivor of OvCa who came back with the brca 1 gene & was offered a bilat mastectomy 4 years ago & she declined. She is now being treated for bilat breast cancer. She just had a double mastectomy & is on 6 rounds of taxotere/carbo. Hugs
Bertha

Thanks for the replies from everyone.

Bertha, never too much info. I suppose in the big scheme of things I should be worried about things other than my sex life but for some reason that seems to be my biggest worry. I suppose bec,ause I already have done the hot flashes, and night sweats mood swings etc from both my chemo and the tamoxifen, I hope your friend is doing ok. Cancer is a horrible fact of life that I truly wish that nobody, not even my worst enemy, will ever have to deal with.

Shawna

Hey If you're gonna worry about something, what better than your sex life! Hugs
Bertha