i'm 32 and need help to decide on hysterectomy!

hi, im new to this site.
i'm 32, had 2 c-sections for preclampsia(advised not fall preg again), then got endometritis(uterus infection). past 11mths, heavy bleeding(clots), painful++++ periods and seem to have pelvic pain between cycles. gyno thinks i have adenomyosis, with a retroverted/retroflexed uterus. very painful sex! advised to have hysterectomy.. can't go on pill cause of bp... what do you guys think? i'm booked for the july 13 and not sure if i have made the rigth decision.
cheers

i just want to add the reason why i'm hesitating is;
*i still desparately want more children( i've been told by 2 obstet, endocronologist not fall preg again-high risk for stroke and bub problems)
*am i going to regret my decision
*my ultrasound was normal - so are my symptoms enough for hysterectomy?
*is my sex life going to affected( i have heard of cliteral dysfunction)
* worried about bladder prolapses
* early menopause

Welcome to HysterSisters!

Have you had a second opinion about what is best for you? It is very wise to have a second medical opinion before any major surgery to be sure that what is schedule for you is the best plan!

Have you considered any alternatives besides a hysterectomy or birth control pills?

I wish you all the best as you do your research and weigh all of the pros and cons for you! A hysterectomy is a major, irreversible surgery that is not without risks so you do want to be 100% sure it is the right treatment plan for you before going forward!

Take care!

I would get a second opinion and see if there are any other options that would be medically appropriate for you such as ablation. I am 30 years old and I do not for a moment regret my decision to have my TVH/BSO and if I had had any bit of doubt in my mind about it, there is no way I would have done it even though I was living in constant pain. I am not a mepdical professional and all of this is just my humble opinion. But you truly need to do some soul searching and seek out all of the information that you can on your options before you put yourself through a major surgery that is not reversiable and will impact you for the rest of your life. That said, I do hope that you let us know what you decide and no matter what that decision is, please know that we are all here to support you and send many (((HUGS))) and good thoughts your way.

thanks melissa ..... i don't know i am making such a big deal out of this. I know the facts, advised not to have children and if i want to resume a sex life with hubby then the ans is right in front of me. But, for some reason I'm feeling really emotional about this. It's not like i have cancer(thankfully), but I feel 'am I taking the easy option ' to help my pain/bleeding? Hubby is very supportive either way, but I'm sure he wants me to go ahead and hyster. Friends are a bit funny about this. A few have insulted me and I feel like they are not supportive.
If you don't mind me asking..
How did you feel about hyster?
how did you feel after the hyster?
Was the desire to have children there?
why did you have the hyster?
what was the recovery like? ( i have 2 c-sections, so I'm guesing the pain is similar)
Any advice would be greatly be appreciated...
thanks
this is great website!!

Hi

I can't answer all of your questions but I freaked out due to feeling unsure and cancelled my hyst, but really, I do feel it would be best, *if I could be guaranteed of no complications* such as ovarian failure.

You are making a big deal out of this because it *IS* a huge, enormous, deal, especially if you are uncertain! And even if you are, sometimes!

As for your friends insulting you - what kind of friends are those? Unless they experience the agony of having to schedule your life around your pain and bleeding then they should just zip-it. Maybe one day they'll be facing this and they'll be coming to you for help!

One thing you have to let go of is 'what will so-and-so think' and believe me, I have gone through that too! Like, what will my husband's cousins in Tunisia (!!!) think if they know I took out my womb!

Do you already have any children? I have one. And yes, it did cross my mind, what if... but in reality, I am 40, and my child is 18, and I dont' think I could start all over again now. But still, having the option taken from me does NOT feel good.

My only advice is to explore all of your options, weigh the pros and cons. Can you try the Mirena IUD? Its not quite the same as oral birth control but works like a charm for some women (and like a curse for others). You might also want to see a counsellor, who can help you explore your feelings. I did, but was still on the fence!

Sitting here now, on Day 2 of being shut-in my home due to my period, I really am rethinking the hysterectomy. My period shuts down so many options in my life. So many.

Wishing you the best,
Steph

I'm also 32 and recently diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer Grade 1A. I will eventually need a hysterectomy but my oncologist has prescribed progesterone to try to reverse the cancer cell growth. It's a hard decision at our age to lose your uterus and your chance to have (in your case more) children. Being childless myself, it's an even more difficult decision as my doctor put it 'once it's out, I can't put it back in.'

I'm also familiar with your preclampsia as my sister had it with both her pregnancies. While she and her children made it through (my niece was born at 28 weeks 1lb 12oz, my nephew at 30 weeks 2lbs 11oz) it is a very scary situation that puts you and your baby at risk. As a family we are very vocal that my sister not have anymore children as there is a chance that she will stroke out after or before delivery. With two "miracle babies" and seemingly no post pregnancy health issues for my sister, we want her around for her children.

Good luck to you in whatever you choose.

I completely understand. I feel the same way you do. I had a laproscopy/hysterscopy, uterine ablation and tubal ligation on 5/8. The doctor said I have adenomyosis. I have been struggling with back pain, leg pain and just feeling yuck all the time. Not to mention I started bleeding again and it hasnt even been a month since the surgery. I am completely frustrated. I know I cant have any more children because of the procedures but to have a hysterectomy just seems so permanent for me. I have a doctors appointment today so we will see what the doctor suggests. Im only 29 and im just frustrated, so with that being said I completely understand your fear.

hello. I am 29. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with
Endometriosis and the dr at that time said get a hystrectomy. Ofcouse at 18 not married no kids this was not an option. I received a second opinion and did research myself. I tried multiple treatments which many woked out for awhile. Then at age 27 suprisingly got pregnent in between diffrent treatments. Now almost 30, 3 drs later, and every treatment option I could do my dr which is an Endometriosis specialist said my choice but its time. I also had a C section due to hypertention . He said that actully will make it easier to go in. They will cut the exact same spot for the surg and recovery will be similar to that of the c section. I am sceduled for it on June 8 The best advice I can give you is second or third opinions and do what fells right in you heart and what is right for YOU. Good luck

Dear krjnurse,

I am so sorry to hear you are in pain and struggling. I wish I could give you an easy answer, but I can only share my own story. After delivering my 2nd baby at age 35, I wanted to have more children, but developed endometritis (uterine infection) and afterwards severe pelvic pain. I tried many things -- laparoscopy, presacral neurectomy, uterine suspension (my uterus was also retroverted), a course of Lupron, and focal removal of adenomyosis as seen on MRI. I also sought additional opinions at a major medical center and had some surgeries there. The pain never truly diminished, and was seriously affecting my quality of life, but I was torn, as I wanted to have more children. Finally, 2 years after my last baby was born, I had a hysterectomy. I felt conflicted about the surgery at the time, but desperate to relieve the pain. They found diffuse adenomyosis in the pathology and the surgery (SAH - kept my ovaries) did relieve the pain for me, which I am incredibly thankful for. Recovery was slow and I was afraid the pain would not be relieved - for me it was not immediate, even though its source was confined to my uterus -- but after a time, it just disappeared.
I know I would not have traded any of the alternatives I explored on the way to the hysterectomy - it made the surgery easier to accept. Even then, though, I was very sad about losing the ability to have children and also to be honest struggled with feeling "whole" as if a part of myself was missing, for a long time. I think mourning is normal and as another poster said, the decision is a huge one and changes you, as well as carries risks. Adenomyosis is not a fatal condition, but the physical pain I felt overwhelmed my life - it was taking me away from my two beautiful children. I was depressed about the loss for many years, but I think I would have been depressed about natural menepause as well, only this occurred sooner. The hysterectomy enabled me to focus on my children, and now I can see how the pain prevented that.
I found this board an amazing resource for physical and emotional tips and also comfort. Good luck on your journey.

oh, thanks everyone for your replies....
I have been in tears over this decision... And i am grateful that cancer is not the issue(i feel for all those women out there who are dealing with this as well).
I've had the looooongest and most deeeep and meannnnnningfull chat with hubby over the last few days.. He is not pressuring me at all to go ahead, but he is making it quite clear that no more bubs for us. He is too scared of the potential risks for me..
I have to look at the positives. I have 2 gorgeous little boys who are healthy with no disorders or abnormalities!!!!(hubby has very strong family history of developmental/physical problems with his family-gentic couselling needed to see if we should have children).
I want to be around for them... And for the pain I have 'put up with ' prior to children is certainly now worsened post children. I have decided that the best option is go ahead with hyster.. I'm now confident with this decision..I can't risk the chance of pregnancy , and i certainly want my life back from all this pain and bleeding.
I thank eveyone on this site for your kind words and non judgemental views...
Now, i need to get my head around the procedure.
I am a registered nurse in ed, so my shift are 12hrs part time and very busy.. What do you guys reccommended for healing time. I was hoping to be back at work in 6wks. Is that too early for recovery?
thanks
karlie ...