TVH: Worried about life after hysterectomy

I'm scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy on Dec. 1st and I'm worried about how this will affect my body. I've been reading a lot of posts by women who have totally lost their sex drive and/or ability to orgasm. I've been married for 28 years and have a wonderful, active sex life with my husband and don't want that to change. Anyone else worried about this? I'm having the surgery because of abnormal (heavy) bleeding. But maybe it's not worth it. Maybe i should just wait it out. Any suggestions?

I am 16 days post op a TVH. I also had to have much repair work done, internally in the vagina as I had developed severe prolapse which made me need a urethra rebuild. I think without all the extra stitches I have, my recovery would be a lot easier. Actually, the only place I don't have stitches is the rectum.

All hysterectomies are major surgery. And it is not easy. That said, I would not have an abdominal hysterectomy if I could avoid it. I say that because I had my gallbladder out the old fashioned way in '89 and had a nice big incision. Breathing was pain, coughing, sneezing, was major pain. Laughing was major pain.Of course the next year, they started micro for the gallbladder. Just my luck!

What I am going through right now is hard, but abdominal surgery of any kind is harder.

That said, I understand from what I've read, the DaVinci surgery is pretty good and easier than a TVH.

Is there anyway you could get another opinion from another gyn? If you are feeling uncomfortable about having this done, it would be good to check it out with someone else.

I had no choice in having mine done or how it was done, due to the prolapse. Good luck and check back in.

I really can't help with the kind of surgery you will have. I had an abdominal a little over a year ago, and I can attest that nothing has changed for me, or my hubby. I even had cancer and I am back to exactly what I was .

Chris

I had my Davinci Total hysterectomy January 13, and despite a moderate run-in with scar tissue and mild discomfort now and then, the last 10 months have been the best I have had in over 10 years!! No change to interest or enjoyment except BETTER because I don't have to worry about what time of the month it is, or sensitivity, or abdominal pain after. IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING! I put it off for a year trying other options, and felt better as soon as I woke from surgery. The only pain I had on waking was pressure from needing to pee, lol!

My advice would be to not read the horror stories, in real life the number of people who have a good experience is greater than those who have big problems. Remember, that people who are struggling with complications are much more likely to post because they are looking for help and advice.

I re-found my drive about week 7 post-op even tho I had to wait, my body was thinking. (Sorry if TMI) Admittedly, I still have some days I feel like it must have been a fuzzy dream and somedays I have the swelly belly and a few little zings still healing. I didn't realize tho how much of "me" and feeling really good I had lost from the anemia, fatigue etc... Wishing you the best

I made almost your exact same post several weeks ago. I had been reading all the horror stories about loss of orgasms, loss of sensitivity(especially breast and vaginal), and a complete lack of sex drive after a hysterectomy even if the ovaries stay put. I was scared to death after reading all of that stuff. I'll be 42 in Jan., we'll celebrate our 21st anniversary in Jan. as well, and we've been together several years longer than that. In no way did I want to jeopardize our wonderful sex life. After asking lots of questions and talking to everyone I could think of, what I decided was that even if a vaginal hysterectomy was an option for me (it is not) I would choose abdominal. I know the recovery is longer, but our sex life is vastly important and I am not about to take any chances with vaginal nerve damage. It seems it's the vaginal hysterectomies that are the ones that cause all the sad sexual side effects. Of course, this is just what I have learned and every case is different. but I did want to let you know that you aren't alone with your concerns. I would ask your doctor and see what he/she says.

My surgery, which is also scheduled for Dec. 1st, may have to be postponed because there are some concerns that my fibroids may be sarcoma instead. Still waiting to learn more. I wish you well!

kpb38 have you considered having an ablation done instead of a hyst? I had that done 3yrs ago and it did take care of the bleeding. Unfortunately, I also ended up with the ablation sealing my cervix. My lining continued to thicken and I also ended up with cysts on both ovaries. It was mostly because of them not being able to do a uterine biopsy on the lining that I decided to do the hyst. I have also been married for nearly 28 years and would not want to lose our sex life either. I am only 3 days post op with a davinci where they took the uterus, cevix, and both ovaries. I guess I will find out where we land when I am healed up more. I am glad I tried to do the abation first, at least I know I tried. There might be other options for you to try before you commit to a hyst. Good luck with your journey.

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Originally Posted by kpb38 I'm scheduled for a vaginal hysterectomy on Dec. 1st and I'm worried about how this will affect my body. I've been reading a lot of posts by women who have totally lost their sex drive and/or ability to orgasm. I've been married for 28 years and have a wonderful, active sex life with my husband and don't want that to change. Anyone else worried about this? I'm having the surgery because of abnormal (heavy) bleeding. But maybe it's not worth it. Maybe i should just wait it out. Any suggestions?

I'm almost 4 months post-op from a vaginal hysterectomy kept both ovaries and I haven't lost my sex drive at all and I still orgasm. The only time I feel pain now is during and after a hard workout. I really dont have any pain with sex now. I did a little the first couple of times but it was worth it. :-) Oh and I have not had problems with dryness. Everyone is different but I wish you the best.

No more uterus/tubes/cervix here, and almost exactly one year out, I feel FANTASTIC. (I kept my ovaries, which simplifies things.) No more bloating, no more feeling like I have a boulder in my gut. I feel great. And although I'm not sexually active, my sex drive is pretty much where it always was, including perfectly reasonable lubrication. In fact, for about four months afterwards as my ovaries adjusted to their new blood supply, it felt like someone had dropped a brick on the accelerator. Other women sometimes say the same thing -- things revv up after the surgery sometimes. You may find yourself road-testing your vaginal cuff (and your husband!) with some enthusiasm after your doctor clears you for sex. :-)