Can I ask those have had a hysterectomy have any of you regretted the decision to have one?
I am due to have on next month due to fibroids and heavy bleeding, but my symptoms have drastically improved in the last 9-12 months as I had a Merina coil fitted whilst I have been waiting for the appointment, I have read a lot of positive posts saying it’s the best thing they had done but also also some that say where having to start on hrt this has caused daily side effects including headaches, nausea etc. I’m 52 and apart from the coil I am not taking hrt. Although I am currently in a good place with my periods I know that can change but I’m very anxious about having the operation and may end up with other symptoms.
Written by
Toddyboy12
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
To be honest my consultant isn’t the best as from my very first appointment 5 years ago he mentioned having a hysterectomy although I did have a series of zoladex injections that didn’t help a great deal and then had a coil which has helped although the first one moved so my bleeding returned.
I’m just concerned about having the operation as it’s a big thing to put myself through but also know this will completely end any bleeding for the future. But on the other hand as I’m now 52 and definitely peri menopausal this will also help with the fibroids and bleeding. But if I go onto hrt I will get horrible daily symptoms I’m just so confused as to what to do for the best.
Like everyone else it’s almost impossible to het a gp appointment
I had a total hysterectomy at the beginning of July, ovaries removed so on hrt. I am 35 and had huge resovations about hrt as I usually react to everything and expected to get all the side effects......
For me I am feeling amazing, first time since my late teens early 20s I've been pain free (I had adenomyosis and endometriosis) the hrt (oestrogel and progesterone tablet)has seemed to suit me as we are in control of how much oestrogen and progesterone is getting in my system rather than being flooded with it naturally as my body wasnt able to regulate it very well.
The only side effects I'm getting is im a bit dry especially my sinuses, and a few hot flushes here and there. I can absolutely live with this as I feel so well for the first time in my adult life!
I do take some supplements (magnesium, prebiotic, vit d and some senna) and for me this works well. I did a lot of research around supplements and hrt and came to the conclusion after getting advice that these would be the major players.
It is such a huge decision to make, it might be worth speaking to a menopausal specialist/a different gynaecology specialist to discuss all of your reservations especially if you feel the coil is helping you.
It did nothing for me, but the zoladex leading up to the hysterectomy really did for me. I hope you are able to figure out what is best for you....Good luck!
I personally would not have a hysterectomy,Iike you I have fibroids and terrible bleeding, but I checked out hysterectomies and I was thinking no chance. I'm currently trying out the prostap injections. Sending you a big hug x
I had my full hysterectomy at 42 and it was great for quite a few years but now i have a prolapse bladder and will not have the op because theres no one i knw who its worked for including 3 others in my family who have also had hysterectomys. I defo would not have had one if ide have known then what i know now.....
I have read this a few times and this also worries me. It’s just so hard as it’s definitely the unknown. Do I not have the operation then hope I stay settled as I am now as when I was having a bad time it was horrible, or do I have the operation and hope the side effects sort and long term aren’t too bad
Hi just wanted to say my bladder repair went really well, I was terrified of having it done but so glad I have, that was March this year and so far so good x
Hi I also had a full Hysterectomy due to a very large fibroid and heavy bleeding for many years. I am 54 and I was scared for all the same reasons as you are are. Yes it was very painful after the operation and I had to stay in the hospital for a week due to an infection. But I can honestly say I am so glad I had it done once you get over your will feel so much better. I do take hrt and I feel fine on it once they get the right dose . This may take about 3 months you will feel so much better. It is a huge thing to have done for us ladies but please don't over think it too much. If you need it then you need it. Take care.
I definitely do overthink, one day I think I’ve made a decision then the next I change my mind. Just such a big decision to make and it’s difficult as I’m in a good place now and have been for almost a year but know this can change.
I’ve had operations in the past but they have been minor in comparison. Tried weighing up the pros and cons but that’s still not helping me.
Everyone’s experience is so different as well so it’s hard to fully appreciate everything that’s good and bad.
I know and I was the same to be completely honest I really didn't want it done but I was terribly anaemic as well. I took iron pills constantly for a few years. I just made my mind up and after that didn't talk about it much to anyone other than my husband. I was scared stiff the day he dropped me off . It was in co I'd so I wasn't allowed any visitors at all it was horrendous. But 4 months after it I was so much better. Only you can decide please don't listen to all the negatives . I know how your feeling. Xx
Hi, I have just joined this chat. Wanted to ask a few questions re hysterectomy
I am 54 and menopausal. Had US, biopsy and MRI for post menopausal bleeding. Biopsy came back benign but MRI images show fibroids look abnormal. Now I am being pushed to have hysterectomy. I am just so afraid, have been worried sick after hearing that it could be malignant. I just can’t decide if to go ahead with this. Please can I ask what your experience was before during and after surgery If it’s total hysterectomy.
Hi Vongi... I was Also told the Same .. yes I had a full hysterectomy everything removed ovaries and They also removed my cervix. I was very scared also and to be honest I didn't want it done it took me a while to come to terms with such a huge operation. But I had a big painful swollen stomach very heavy bleeding and terrible pain everytime my period was due. I was in a lot of pain for 14days after the operation then as the weeks and months went on I got Back to normal. It took a full 6 months for me to feel back to normal again . I have other medical issues so maybe that's why it took me so Long. But I can honestly Say it's the best decision I made. But I do totally understand how your feeling and its horrible. I hope this helps a little. Take care x
I am so overthinking and having panic attacks. I can't come to terms with having such an invasive surgery. I have a stressed belly and trembling at the thought of it. nothing seems to be helping at the moment esp negative comments.
In the end what convinced you to go through it?
Did they ever tell you after the op if it was benign or malignant.
My worry is that I won't be able to cope with pain and complications post op.
Hi In the end I just thought do I want to Live like this and decided no I didn't. They day I went in I was so petrified. I can't tell you how bad I was. It was in covid times so only dropped at the hospital door and I was in for just over a week ( I wasn't allowed a visitor not even my husband) it was hard. I had a morphine drip and other pain medication. You will be well looked after. Everything they took away was sent to pathology and I had a 8 week wait to find out if it was all clear. And also had to wait for the result to come back before I was started on hrt... it all came back fine. Try not to overly think about it. Once you decide to go in . Just take your time and talk it over with friends and family. I just thought in the end thousands of women have it done and 90% of them are glad after. Do you know when you will go in if you decide too go ahead. ? Because even though I was classed as an emergency I waited nearly 2 years. X
Thank you again for replying and reassuring me. I had the scan/MRI and biopsy only last month and got a call not long after telling me that fibroids look suspicious. . I have asked to wait and monitor for 3 months but being told that it could spread. I don't have any symptoms or bleeding so not sure I am being pushed to get it done so quickly. I am surprised you waited 2 years before making a decision.
Mine was also classed as emergency because of the slight bleed post menopause. I don't think its of any concern but they keep frightening me by saying it could be serious.
Thank you reassuring me that results will come back normal but there is always this big IF.
Good luck with everything. I was on a waiting list due to covid and that's why I had to wait 2 years. I was scanned a few times while I was waiting. I hope you get sorted soon. Take care
Thank you, sorry one more question. I was told that the shape, margin and features of the fibroids has changed. Hence, they are looking more like sarcoma on the MRI but they are 50-50 and cannot confirm. This can only be confirmed after it is sent to the pathology.
Hi Vongi... I was told I had a few small fibroids and one very large one that needed looking at in detail when removed. I had to have open surgery as it was too big to removed keyhole. Or The other way I'm not sure What its called. No problem you can message me anytime. I hope Your OK. X
No one can make the final decision, except you. Make sure that you are totally 100%. Once you get over the time of physical and mental recovery you will then reap the rewards. If you have a total hysterectomy then you can just have oestrogen only HRT. I have had no side effects from this.
I don’t regret mine 5 yrs ago, am 48 now but left ovaries in. Felt so free not to have the flooding every month. I had fibroids and endometriosis. Just had bladder prolapse repair but I think that was just because I have severe constipation. For me it was the right decision and was not as bad as I expected the op to be. Had to stay in a few days because I get sick from anaesthetic but apart from that all was ok. The coil for me was only a temporary fix but weigh up the pros and cons x
Hi ,I may be a bit late to the discussion but I had bleeding issues due to fibroids that lasted years. And the gynaecologist only kept mentioning Hysterectomy I asked for another option he said fibroid Embolisation normally called UFE. I had 2 submucosal fibroids one being large. I had the procedure in 2018 and periods became light instantly. Then 2 yrs after that they stopped and I went through menopause,I’m 54 now. I know of 2 people who had hysterectomys and had prolapsed bladders. And one of them had surgery for it and it hasn’t helped. For me it was the bleeding it ruled my life and if the coil is helping you then that 5 yrs of not too bad periods.
I’m pretty much the same as you. I have 3 fibroids measuring between 2.5cm - 3.5 cm. Wouldn’t know I had them if it wasn’t for having a scan because of heavy bleeding. Now that bleeding has stopped I believe because of the coil. I do wonder if all my problems were caused by peri menopause as the symptoms I had were classic of this ( even though the gynaecologist said I was too young at 47). I have also read of prolapse and other post op issues.
Peri menopause normally starts in your 40s, with all sorts of symptoms that we usually put down to something else. With the Mirena coil I think you have 5 yrs till it’s replaced again. I hated the way my gynaecologist just thought a hysterectomy was my only option, if I hadn’t been Googling like an idiot I wouldn’t of know to ask about a UFE. I was offered a coil by my gp years ago but read about how it could be painful to insert so being the scaredy-cat I am, I didn’t take the offer.
Yeah the only other treatment I had was a 3 month course of zoladex which did really do a great deal. My fibroids are intramural not sure if they are the better ones to have? No other surgery was offered to me. This current coil has been in now for 3 years so have another 2 years before needing replacing. I don’t think I’m going to have the hysterectomy
So you’ve got 2 yrs left and then you could have another one, and by then you may be post menopause anyway in which case fibroids apparently stop growing or slow down because the oestrogen that helps them has gone. If the bleeding was the only reason for seeing the gynaecologist but thats now under control, then what other reasons could there be for doing it.
Hi there Toddyboy 12.Please do not have a hysterectomy..I was told I had cancer and had to have one..they put a hole in my bladder on the surgery and didn't realise it..and I had to go to A&E in another hospital from leaking..I had to wear a catheter for 4 months got loads of infections very bad ones..and then have more surgery to mend the bladder but it didn't work and now I have to have more surgery..I'm leaking all the time ..never sleep and have terrible hot flushes. I was a very healthy and young 52 year old before..I did a very physical Job..but now I can't work..it's been horrible for me
And it turned out to be just a fibroid. Not cancer.these hospitals push hysterectomys for the big funding they get..so I'm not trying to scare you but I'm just telling you what can happen but they will never tell you this before you go ahead.And they will never take responsibility for it
There is so much easier ways to get rid of fibroids..
I decided against the surgery. I was so worried about the surgery itself and the after effects. My symptoms are still settled and my gynaecologist has said he understood and that he is still willing to see me again should I change my mind. Im hoping I’m out the other side now and I’m going to get some blood tests done to see where I am in regards to my menopause journey.
Thank you..Great you will not have a hysterectomy and your symptoms have changed also you have a good gynaecologist..your lucky thereI'm sure you will be fine..And eat as healthy as you can it will definitely make a difference
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
HRT - Gel or Patch?
My gyno won't prescribe estrogen patch for hot flashes ...what can I do for hot flashes?
HRT & Anxiety 
