Is hysterectomy the answer?

I am almost 58 years old and still getting my period every two months.  This past month has been just horrible. Very heavy bleeding for three days now and I am so exhausted!  I'm thinking of asking my doctor to do a hysterectomy.  I just can't take this any more.  I missed two days of work because of this.  I'm concerned about how long I'll have to be out of work due to the surgery.  What is the average?

[AGood]

Hello. I'm so sorry you're having an awful time with your periods. 58 is quite late to still be having fairly regular cycles and I feel for you as some one who has suffered for decades with mine. I had a total hysterectomy in November 2014 as I had adenomyosis, endometriosis and large fybroids. The pain was so bad from my periods I had to breath through them like 5 days of contractions/childbirth. 

I looked on this hysterectomy as some kind of holy grail that would bring a new found happiness and release, for me that didn't work out. I had IBS before my op which has reached a new level of misery since its been done. I couldn't get on with HRT as it sent me emotionally crazy and after 9 months I gave that up. I'm struggling with pretty severe aches and pains which I'm paying out to be treated (naturally). I've lost all faith in gps as all they seem to want to do is put me on strong painkillers and anti depressants. 

I really apologise if this is such a negative response, this is just my experience. I know plenty who have never looked back from their hysterectomy and I'm happy for them. For me however, it's been nothing like I expected. I wanted to reply to you so that you could think things through and make the decision that's best for you, armed with all the information you can get. 

I suppose how long you'll be off work depends on the type of job you have. I would say minimum 6 weeks really. You really will need to look after yourself after the op. 

I wish you well.

[Hidden in reply to AGood]

Thank you for your honesty.  I already suffer from the pain and stiffness of psoriatic arthritis and honestly, if things got much worse, I'm not sure I could work at all.  I'll have to have a real honest discussion with my doctor and decide what is the right path to follow.

[Margo in reply to Hidden]

Please look at the thyroid site, you might find some answers there.

[Margo in reply to AGood]

Agood,  my experiences of hysterectomy were similar to yours.       All along it was my thyroid causing the problems.    Please look at the thyroid site, I am sure you will find some answers.      Doctors/Consultants/Specialists know nothing, or they do know but don't care, there is money to be made if you have a hysterectomy.

[Roo62]

Hi.  I had a total hysterectomy a year and a half ago (I'm 54 now) after years of heavy bleeding and being constantly anaemic. I wish I'd had it done years ago  but my doctors kept telling me it wasn't worth it and that I'd be finishing my periods soon!' It was only because I "lost" my mirena coil that I got to see a specialist who discovered I had abnormal  thickening of the womb that I got my surgery done.  I get some menopausal symptoms but I'd rather deal with these than the heavy periods and potential future problems. I had my keyhole surgery performed robotically  - my scars are practically invisible and the recovery time was quicker.  I could have gone back to work after 3 weeks but chose to take 6 weeks off to make sure I was fully recovered.  I sympathise with you and hope you have a sympathetic doctor who will talk through the pros and cons with you. Good luck!

[Isabella12]

Hi I have just had a full hysterectomy 8 days ago with complications he managed to do keyhole surgery and I am so pleased it's all over with I have got a sick  note for 4 weeks but thing I need bit longer than that between 6-8 weeks is the average time my surgeon told me. I am now having terrible hot flushes of a night and not going back to my surgeon for 3 months.so I will taking a trip ba k to my doctors next two weeks for hrs tablets x

[chataround]

Hi, Jo,

When I was 47 (I am 56 now) I had a hysterectomy (kept one ovary) due to very heavy bleeding from a huge fibroid. I could NOT be happier with the result.

I don't know your particular situation but in mine I wasn't able to have the surgery lapariscopically since the fibroid was too big, so I had an abdominal incision and was out of work for six weeks. I actually could have returned to work sooner but I commute to a big city and it's a long commute with some major crowds and potential jostling so I didn't want to take the chance.

I am no longer anemic and with one ovary I didn't need hormone replacement. Though I did go through a very harsh menopause several years later, I certainly don't blame my hysterectomy. I was a thyroid patient before the surgery and after the surgery my thyroid numbers were unaffected. I have read so many sad stories about women being unhappy having had their hysterectomies, I just wanted to offer you some good news about mine. I'd have it again in an instant!

[LynneB59]

Hello, I'm almost 58, and like you, still been having periods. 3-4 years ago, I began to have terribly heavy periods with clots, flooding, etc., which lasted for 3 weeks. I've been for numerous tests, scans, biopsies, etc., and was told I'd got a thickened womb lining and 2 small fibroids. I've been prescribed Tranexamic Aid pills, Norethisterone, (neither worked) and Mirena coil (so painful, I had it taken out after 2 weeks) I've begged the doctors to agree to me having a hysterectomy - they have all said no, it was too severe a surgery, and that the recovery time at "this age" was long.

I've been on Provera tablets now since November, when the last awful period had gone on for 7 weeks! I was very anaemic too. These tablets have helped so much - I haven't had any periods at all since then.

[LynneB59 in reply to LynneB59]

qq