Should I have a hysterectomy or not?

[soonergirl83]

Here are the facts:

I had 3rd stage endometriosis 10 yrs ago; they told me then (after treatment) that in 5 yrs it would be back and I would need to have one. They didn't do it then because I wanted to try to get pregnant, which I was unable to do.

I am having constant mild pain and  frequent periods sometimes with a lot of pain.

I will not be able to take synthetic estrogen because my mom had estrogen-positive breast cancer.

I get occasional ovarian cysts that spontaneously rupture, causing some pain but no major problems.

I was planning to just go ahead and have the surgery, but have since heard every hysterectomy horror story there is, and am now scared to. Does anybody have a good outcome after this surgery?

I should add that I've planned and put off this surgery a few years now due to staffing shortages at work, but it seems there is never going to be a good time for it. I was going to have it after Christmas, (now that the baby we are adopting is walking! yay!), and now another staff member is leaving, so I need to just bite the bullet and do what is right for me instead of worrying about my job. IF I decide to do it.

Please help, I need advice.

[MSugarKane]

Oct. 26, 2009 at 7:12 AM

Besides Lasik surgery for my eyesight , the best was getting a hysterectomy in my life.   I was done having kids though.   I had it done laprascoply (through the belly button)...AFTeR.....no more pain, no more cysts, no more periods, and sex was better then ever in my life.

 

[parrishsky]

Oct. 26, 2009 at 6:14 PM

I have no friends or family members that have had this surgery so I can't really help. I also don't recall hearing many horror stories on CM though. You might want to post this in the answers section, you may get more replies that way...  I am meeting my doc on Weds to discuss shaving my uterus (not sure technical term)). I have had 7 abnormal paps over the years and showing signs of pre cancer cells so it's best to shave the uterus and try to avoid turing the cells to cancer. Also with this procedure when is it a good time? I'm probably going to have it done during my holiday break (2 weeks off).

Good luck, if it was me I'd go with docs advice.

[soonergirl83]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 12:15 AM

Thanks, it's good to hear that someone has had a positive outcome- better sex?!...that's a plus right there!

Thanks for the suggestion, I will ask it in answers. Good luck with your procedure too! 

(Original Poster)

[nana9195]

Oct. 27, 2009 at 1:35 AM

I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY IN 1996 I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TUMOR IN MY UTERUS I WAS ALREADY  44 YEARS OLD AND HAD TWO SONS WHO WERE 23  AND 19 AT THAT TIME SO I HAD NO PLANS FOR HAVING MORE CHILDREN AND MY GYN  A CHIEF OF GYN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HOSPITAL WHICH IS A VERY PROMINENT HOSPITAL HERE IN MIAMI TOLD ME THAT RATHER THAN JUST REMOVING THE UTERUS I SHOULD HAVE A FULL HYSTERECTOMY AND AVOID HAVING ANY PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE SO I WENT AHEAD AND HAD IT DONE  IT GAVE ME AN EARLY MENOPAUSE BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT ALL WENT WONDERFULLY AND ALSO NOWADAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO CUT YOU OPEN THEY DO IT  WITH LASER I DO NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE PROCEDURE BUT IT IS MUCH SIMPLER THAN BEFORE SO IF IT WERE ME I WOULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT DONE  MANY BLESSINGS AND  ALL WILL BE WELL HUGS,ANA