Hysterectomy experience?

Hello All

Wondering if anyone minds sharing any experience of having had a hysterectomy.

I’m currently leaning towards this as a treatment option. I know of the difficulties in trying to get it done (I’m still in child bearing years - although just about) and only have one child. I’ve already had the conversations with my gynaecologist about it and I am fully prepared for the difficult conversations and push back from them

However, I feel like it’s the only viable option for me given previous experience of birth control options and quick tolerance to pain relief.

I only have a working diagnosis and lap is pending.

If anyone would be kind enough to share their experience of coping with the recovery and coping with early menopause it would be greatly appreciated

[jc001]

Hi Cyards. I was put on Zoladex which induces a chemical menopause. That was a game changer for me which showed that a hysterectomy would have significant benefits. It was my gynae who suggested it, no push back at all. I had 2 children and was aged 41. You’d need your ovaries removing too or there’s little point. They insisted I have HRT until natural menopausal age. Sometimes I have small flare ups but I stop the HRT for a few dats, it settles, then I get back on it until the next time.

[livvi_livvi]

Hiya,

Im 29 with no children and not in a relationship. Im 5 months post op from a total hysterectomy with removal of tubes and ovaries (laparoscopically) and excision of all endometriosis. Prior to this I had been in chemical menopause for 4 years. The op recovery for me has been a long one Im still off sick from work but hoping next week my GP will agree to a phased return. For me the menopause symptoms have been tough and worse than in chemical menopause although HRT does help it doesnt get rid of them.

My advice for you would be to think it through its a big op with long lasting consequences. The problem with endo is that a hysterectomy alone wont cure it. The best chance is to be seen under a bsge surgeon who will remove uterus, ovaries and tubes and also will excise all the endometriosis at the same time.

Have you tried chemical menopause? As most will ask you to try that first before thinking of a hysterectomy.

If you have any questions happy to help where I can.

Xxx

[Hidden in reply to livvi_livvi]

Thank you so much for this and sorry for the late acknowledgement. It did give me pause for thought and I am likely to try the chemical route in the first instance

[geekybird]

I had a sub-total laparoscopic hysterectomy in April for heavy bleeding, a bit different to yours as I kept my ovaries and cervix, although they took the tubes. The recovery has been very straightforward for me, everything went as planned. After the first couple of days I had very little pain but I was very tired for the first six weeks.

I went back to work part time at four weeks. Note my job is not at all physical as I work from home on a computer and people's experiences seem to vary considerably. Overall it was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting and I have so much more energy and with no bleeding I wish I'd had it done years ago!

I can't comment on the early menopause except to say that I've heard surgical menopause can make people regret their hysterectomy although 1) perhaps not when compared severe endometriosis? and 2) not if they are able to have tailored hrt - I appreciate that may not be an option with endometriosis but jc001's response suggests it's possible. The ladies in my post-op month forum (see Hysterectomy Association forums) seemed to get on well with patches, which I suspect would be better for endometriosis than pills, although you may need a private consultation to get them / get the dose right.

I highly recommend the Hysterectomy Association forums if you would like to get some answers from people who have had the operation you are considering.

Best of luck with whatever you decide xx

[Hidden in reply to geekybird]

Thank you so much and sorry for the delayed acknowledgment. Like the above, your comments have stayed with me and given me pause for thought. Thank you xxx