Endo - Considering a Hysterectomy

I have been having chronic pelvic & abdominal pain since I was 18, and yesterday I found out it was due to endometriosis. I also have an ovarian cyst. I have researched all the options, talked to people, and I personally feel that a hysterectomy would be best. My pain definitely is chronic...I am in pain several days a week, and I am always uncomfortable. I have talked about the options and treatments over with my fiance, and he too believes a hysterectomy would be best for my health and my pain. We are a little upset about not being able to have kids naturally, but we've talked about freezing my eggs and doing surrogacy or adopting. For those of you who have endometriosis, please tell me your thoughts and feelings.
Thanks so much.

Have you talked to your doctor about it? I didn't have endometriosis, I had cervical cancer. I did a lot of researching on hysterectomy before my surgery. Either way you go, we are here for you

I haven't talked to my doctor yet about the hysterectomy...I plan on doing so as soon as I get back on some type of insurance. I personally feel the benefits of the hysterectomy would outweigh all the cons, but I will tell this to my doctor as soon as I can see him/her.

Welcome to HysterSisters! I hope we are able to offer you support and information as you make this decision!

First, I do want to let you know that we have an Endometriosis Support where you can find other women who have endometriosis. We also have many Endometriosis Resources you might want to read through!

Before you make your final decision, I would strongly recommend consulting with an endometriosis specialist if at all possible. A hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. Removing the uterus would only remove any pain associated with the uterus. If the pain is not from the actual uterus and your surgeon does not have the skills to recognize and carefully remove all endometriosis, then you could find yourself with continued pain.

My story is not a happily ever after one. I had my hysterectomy because of endometriosis. All the hysterectomy did was stop the bleeding. In fact, my pain started after my hysterectomy. I lived in increasing pain from the time of my hysterectomy until surgery with an endometriosis specialist, seven years later! Only then did I find relief!

I also ended up with a lot of surgical complications that left me with compromised health for many years. Things definitely did NOT go as I or my surgeon planned!

I did my researched, tried various options, and did what I felt was best for me. Things didn't go as we planned but since I knew I had made the right decision for me, I lived with no regrets. I was frustrated and discouraged! But I knew I had not made my decision lightly and I had tried the options that were available for me before proceeding to the hysterectomy. I also went into surgery surgery knowing that it was not a cure.

I wish you all the best as you continue your research, ask questions, check out your options, and work with your medical team to determine what is right for you!

A hyst does not remove endo....endo is outside the uterus.

You might try consulting an endo expert not an RE or ob/gyn...I was very happy with my excision surgery.

Also, natural bioidentical progesterone helped me with some symptoms and heavy bleeding.

Finally, there is a book out there about Endo and diet which is just great, by Dian S Mills

Most ob/gyns or RE's just are not educated on excision surgery. Learn as much as you can

I tried to add this to the post above, but I couldn't...Want to add this

I have changed my diet in the last month and had a lot of nice results. We believe I have adenomysosis, which the diet seems to have helped. Wheat seems to be a big issue.

But the excision surgery was a huge thing. I had endo removed from my ovaries, from my sciatic nerve, bladder, colon (my uterus was adhered to my colon and ovary), cul-de-sac (between rectum and vagina), uterosacral ligaments, etc etc. I am doing so much better.

If you want children, please consider these things Many women do have success, it took me time to make the decision, but I wish I had done it earlier.

Have you had a laproscopy done yet? The excision done during one helps alot of people. I had temporary relief from my first one. I've had pelvic pain since I was 15 and just got diagnosed with endo 3 years ago. I'm am having a hyst. now because my insides are very messed up from the endo and laps. are just not enough anymore. Best of luck with whatever decision you make!

Hi number1dee and welcome. You have found a great place for information and support. You have already been given some solid advice and guidance. I was wondering if you could clarify what you said about finding out you had endometriosis yesterday. How did you find out? Who told you? Why do you think a hysterectomy is the right treatment for you?
It is so hard to relay all this info in a single post but it does help to guide you in finding the information you need.
Congratulation on your engagement have you a date selected yet? Such an exciting time in your life

Ivy4, did an expert do your excision? Having a hyst doesn't help the endo, was your uterus damaged?

i had a lot of adhesions, after one excision lap, but another one removed the adhesions.

Edie- I had an expert do my second lap. My organs are twisted around each other and are compromising my bowel at this point. This is why I have chosen to have a hyst. because another lap. just won't help at this point.