Second guessing removal of cervix; Surgery over and I made the best choice for me

I fell for the hoopla about leaving the cervix. My hysterectomy last year on 3/31/11. I suffered for a year with extreme pelvic pain. Finally found a specialist who is a youngish stud from UF Shand's who DISAGREE's with any theories of leaving the cervix in. He said it makes the surgery for the doctor much easier to leave it in but he quoted study after study on why the cervix should not be left. I'm scheduled for another surgery now to have the cervix removed on 4/27/12. Another 7 week recovery.

Best wishes for all of you. Praying for a healthy recovery for all of us.

OH that is horrible, so sorry to hear you have to go through another surgery.....I had my "game plan" meeting with my surgeon, and we are taking it out. I am still nervous, but I had that fear of having to go through another surgery as you are having to do....good luck to you....

I had mine removed. All is well. No complications...can tell the difference during sex too! Great improvement! Best decision I ever made.

I just wanted to send out a big thank you to everyone for all the answers, and to those that asked these questions...these very things have finally started pressing my mind with the same questions now that surgery is a month away. I'll just keep praying for some relief from the pain, nausea, and extreme moodiness til surgery day.

My cervix had to go for a few reasons. Most importantly, I had 3 prior c-sections and tons of adhesions. My doctor thought it would make the surgery very complicated to try and retain the cervix (and then if it was scarred over would keeping it make good sense anyway). Second, my cervix was very tender. It hurt to be touched and would go into spasm if it was messed with. Finally, I had bleeding issues and really didn't even want to contend with a mini period (besides, some women that kept their cervix continued with the heavy bleeding issues and ended up having a second surgery to remove the cervix, I've had enough surgeries and didn't want to risk another one).

I haven't been released for sex yet, so I don't know what that's going to be like, but my doctor told me that problems with the vaginal cuff is rare in women that follow their doctor's orders. She said most of the ladies she has seen with torn vaginal cuffs had sex before they were released. Sometimes the cuff didn't tear until after they were released (even like 12 weeks post op), but she said it was the earlier sex that damaged the cuff and prevented it from healing right.

I'm really happy that I read this. Even with my GYN/surgeon stating that research shows that the cervix is not important for sexual satisfaction I wasn't sure. I'm going to talk to her about it again during my pre-op but I am now more comfortable with the possibility.

I had mine removed Jan 31st. No regrets whatsoever! ! I feel great. Sex is better. No problems at all!! I was PETRIFIED of having it removed too cause of horror stories I read. But like me, I'm having no issues so I have to make an effort to remember to come on here to tell my success story to those in waiting.. Best of luck!

I just had my surgery and I chose to keep the cervix. I did not want the risk of infection in the vaginal cuff, or the additional pain and healing time. Dr said less than 5% if women will still get mini periods. And if I do, it will be so light I won't even need a panty liner, I will only notice when I wipe. Ir just seemed like the right choice for me

At almost 6 weeks post-op and not cleared for sex yet, I can only speak to my situation.

My doctor suggested removal of the cervix, first, after 40 years of estrogen, why come back for more periods even if they are mini? I have never been a mini-period girl, always maxi.

Second, I am 55, this surgery is hard enough, why do it twice and second guess yoru self?

I kept my ovaries, so they may still have issues that need to be revisited. And maybe I could have asked more questions pre-op of the doctor.

We seemed to see eye to eye, so I saw no need to question his advice after I read some good articles about the surgery.

Every woman has different issues that brought her to this door, these are some hard choices and some of my decisions were based on gut instinct.

hope this helps.

I had mine removed...Everyone I know who left theirs in had to go back and have it removed..I can't phantom going through another surgery