Does a hysterectomy work ?

[Keys2theworld]

Hi, has anyone else had a hysterectomy for a prolapse ? My GP has said I'm now having a rectocele as well as my prolapsed bladder. I have a ring pessary, which has worked up until now and use Vagifem as well. I'm 68.

My question is does a hysterectomy work ?

[bantam12]

I asked my Gynae this question last week and she said the only thing a hysterectomy will do is remove the weight of the uterus on the prolapse, it wont rectify the prolapse but "may" improve symptoms. I'm not convinced and she can't guarantee it will help at all, so a difficult decision but I think I will probably go ahead with surgery as I have fibroids and cysts as well as prolapse 😕

[Keys2theworld in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for replying. It's a difficult decision to make as it is major surgery. I'm leaving it for another 6 months to see how I get on. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[grannydoug]

I don't know if this is any help but I had a hysterectomy for prolapsed uterus in 1995. I was 48 and had felt quite limited for several years beforehand. I felt so much better after the operation.

Leap forward 20+ years (2017/8) and I realised I had a new prolapse which they call a Vault prolapse. With a cystocele (bladder). Apparently this can happen after a hysterectomy. But I think mine was almost self-induced by overdoing the lifting of grandchildren, shopping etc. I really hadn't taken care of myself nor kept up my pelvic exercises.

I was then given a ring pessary and that made a huge difference to my life once more. Just lately I've had to try a difference size ring and am currently test-driving the new one! I may have to change to a different kind (shelf pessary) to accommodate my changed internal shape.

I understand any reluctance to avoid surgery at this stage. But I can honestly say that once recovered I felt so much better after my op. I was also offered surgery for the Vault prolapse in 2017 but preferred the pessary option.

Have you been offered a shelf pessary or is it thought that it wouldn't work for you now? Apparently it has to be inserted at a specialist clinic as opposed to my usual visit to the Advanced Nurse Practioner at my G.P. Surgery for the ring.

Unfortunately appointments for a shelf pessary have a long waiting time where I live, as a result of Covid etc.

I hope you get a chance to discuss options and that you are soon out of this situation and feeling so much better.

[Kphee21 in reply to grannydoug]

Hysterectomy 3 years ago everything else prolapsed within months now struggling to get help

[Keys2theworld in reply to Kphee21]

Thanks for replying I really hope you can get help very soon. Insist upon it. Good luck.

[grannydoug in reply to Kphee21]

I'm so sorry to hear this. The Covid situation certainly isn't helping regarding getting appointments with GPs or Consultants. But I agree with Keys2theworld you'll need to be persistent. Difficult to do if you're feeling low. Hope things change for you very soon.

[Keys2theworld in reply to grannydoug]

Thank you for replying. I've not been referred yet as ANP said they can try different rings if things get worse. So I'm leaving it for 6 months again...

[grannydoug in reply to Keys2theworld]

I agree, if the ring pessary works for you then stick with it. Ongoing - you can keep up your pelvic exercises so your pelvic muscles are in the best shape they can be for which ever decision you make eventually. I wish I had kept my exercises up regularly now (hindsight is a wonderful thing!) but better late than never I guess. I'm just never sure if I'm doing it correctly 🙂 X