Asking for a Hyst

I have struggled all my adult life with anemia due to heavy periods. Am now 36 and in intensive iron therapy due to my Hemoglobin reading at 6.2. My reading has come up, but I'm thinking after 25 years of periods and 2 healthy kids - I want this stupid uterus taken out!

I do have an inoperable fibroid - but the hysterectomy was my idea. My doctor thinks it is a reasonable request with my history, and feels that we might be able to schedule for October 4.

Am I nuts for asking for this? I work in healthcare and have a healthy respect for the risks involved with surgery. All the info on the web makes me feel a little guilty in asking for this to be done instead of fighting for it not to be done. But anemia is pretty awful.

Any words of wisdom out there?

Sherry

Hi Sherry ,

You are not nuts for wanting relief from your symptoms - chronic anemia can be a serious medical condition.

That said, a hyst is major surgery and not without possible complications. Also, if you travel down "the Road" here, you will find many women coping with long term complications of their hyst - trading fibroids for adhesions for example. And in the Hormone Jungle, there are women who kept their ovaries only to have them fail and find themselves in sudden menopause too early.

Most women do just fine after a hyst, and recover relatively quickly - if not in the 4-6 weeks promised by their surgeons. Even so, it is important to be aware of the possible complications, and a second opinion is always a good idea.



Dorrie

You're not nuts at all. Why risk your health, and suffer so much, when you you could fix the problem?

Thank goodness your doctor is agreeing with you - some women have a real fight on their hands trying to get help.

Here's wishing you a healthy future!

Like the girls said, chronic anemia is serious. It all gets down to quality of life. Go for it.