What is the long term impact of a hysterectomy and ovary removal ?

[Mufc1999]

hello I recently had a cyst removed from my left ovary and the biopsy indicated borderline cancer tumors . The hospital have recommended I have another surgery in 6 weeks to remove both ovaries and have a hysterectomy at the same time . I am overwhelmed by the information on the internet relating to this procedure . I am 49 and perimenopausal . Can anyone who has had this procedure update me on how this has impacted them ? Worried about the impact this will have on my health long term as there is a family history of Parkinson and heart disease. Thank you in advance .

[catherine1712]

hi, I had a hysterectomy and the surgeon also took both of my ovaries without my consent. This had detrimental effects on me, from depression to a list of other ailments. Up to taking the patch, I felt ill. Thanks GD, the patch helped me enormously. However, some other ladies had the same with no effects.

[Mufc1999 in reply to catherine1712]

Sorry to hear that . You should have question this with him and taken it further if it was done without your consent ? Was this done on the NHS and if you don’t mind me asking how old were you when you had the operation . Are you ok now you are taking the patch ?

[Maceymae]

I won't go into my long history of gynae procedures. Too many. My hysterectomy was done in stages due to endometriosis. My right ovary was removed last( when i was 43) my cervix remains stuck to my rectum in various places and to say i feel like i aged overnight is an understatement. The anxiety, weight gain, bone pain, muscle pain, cognitive issues. My skin is dryer, my hair is still falling out.

I am on body identical hrt and have my levels checked yearly but the only thing it has helped with was that overwhelming feeling of doom.

I have MS but was managed well and i was very active. I actually feel like a 90 year old. I have tried everything. I have to push myself to keep going and i do but in agony everywhere. This wasn't the issue pre hysterectomy( oophorectomy)

I have to say that the majority of women thrive on hrt but it hasn't been that way for me.

I recommend getting a DXA scan at the beginning of your menopause journey due to bone loss. I have osteopaenia and due for my next scan soon to check if it has progressed to osteoporosis or hopefully remained as it was 5 years ago.

I wish you the very best on your journey.

[Mufc1999 in reply to Maceymae]

Sorry you didn’t have a good experience . Is it worth looking into a different HRT? I have read that it’s a case of trial and error until you find the right one . I was osteoporotic but took fosamax and calcichew and i am no longer osteoporotic. Thank you for the advice to have a DXA scan , that’s something I hadn’t thought about .

[Maceymae in reply to Mufc1999]

I have tried different types. I think i just have too many health issues. Everything fibro wise kicked off after my first major gynae op though. I just wish womens health was taken much more seriously.

[Allot]

hi I had a hysterectomy in my early 40s and I’m now over 70 - it was a total hysterectomy due to endometriosis and fibroids. My surgeon placed an hrt inplant (unfortunately I don’t think you can have them now). I can honestly say I felt massively better once I recovered from the op. I now use hrt patches. Maybe I was lucky but life with no painful periods and only having estrogen hrt has been great. I still go to the gym 4 times a week and have never put on weight. Good luck with making your decision

[Mufc1999 in reply to Allot]

That’s very reassuring and so pleased you are doing well ! Am I wrong to say I will be needing progesterone and estrogen ? Did you have to experiment before you found the right HRT treatment ? Many thanks for your reply .

[Allot in reply to Mufc1999]

Hi if your ovaries are removed you don’t need progesterone - luckily I didn’t have any problems with the implant had no menopausal symptoms. I am currently on the lowest dose estrogen I do sometimes have a flush if I drink wine. No problem with hair falling out either. Good luck with everything

[Mufc1999 in reply to Allot]

Thank you very much . I am speaking to the doctors next week as I have many questions about this . Amazing that you still go to the gym ! Well done. I hope I will be as enthusiastic as you are post op ! X

[Sandib007 in reply to Mufc1999]

my endo team told me, you do need progesterone for at least 2 years after surgery due to the endo. If you don’t have endo you don’t need progesterone. I am on progesterone after everything removed due to endo. I am coming up to two years after the last ovary was removed and my GP said she will assess me and speak to the endo team to see if I need to continue with the progesterone. If your team didn’t identify endo you shouldn’t need progesterone 😊

I know a few people who a full hysterectomy was the best thing ever for them. Unfortunately I wasn’t one of them. 😔 I was not prepared for all the other issues it brings especially surgical menopause. I wish I had had a better understanding of what could happen after than I did. So I guess all I am saying is read around and get yourself in the best place mentally in case it has a really hard effect on you. ❤️

[Mufc1999 in reply to Sandib007]

Thank you. Are you referring to the anxiety and depression it may bring . I am already on anxiety tablets so I am aware that I may need to increase the dose . Doesn’t the HRT though help in that respect ?

[Boudicca55]

My mum had a full hysterectomy in her mid forties including ovary removal. She was given a five year hormone implant to help with any menopause side effects. She didn’t have any issues post op or long term. She was driving after three weeks and back at work in twelve weeks. Hope this helps.

[Mufc1999 in reply to Boudicca55]

Thank you for your reply . Pleased your mum is doing well

[Orange_2022]

I had a borderline tumour on one ovary at 54. Had a partial hysterectomy (I asked to keep the cervix as there is greater risk of prolapse without it and there was no sign of cancerous cells in that area - consultant was a bit reluctant but agreed in the end). I'd already gone through the menopause but had increased symptoms post-operation (night sweats, insomnia) so took HRT for a year to help my body settle down. Could have taken it for longer - one for you to discuss. 10 or so years on, apart from a bit of a change of body shape around the stomach from the operation, I don't think I've had any major effects - loss of libido but there are things that can help with that if needed! I walk, run a bit, do yoga, go to the gym, eat lots of fruit, veg, nuts, calcium- rich foods, not much red meat, and take some supplements (D, fish oil and some others) and lack of oestrogen doesn't seem to have affected my heart. I still drink wine and eat a bit of cake but have tried to cut down. We're all different of course. In many ways the op was a relief... one less thing to go wrong! Good luck and look after yourself.

[Mufc1999 in reply to Orange_2022]

Thank you for your reply . The borderline Tumour is on one ovary only but they have recommended I remove both . Did you have both ovaries removed in the end . Pleased you are doing well

[Orange_2022 in reply to Mufc1999]

I had one removed a few years earlier due to another cyst. So I only had one left.

[Mufc1999 in reply to Orange_2022]

Hello again , sorry to ask so many questions but how did they ascertain that there was no cancerous cells in the cervix ? I was advised that as I have borderline tumour in an ovary as a preventative measure they would like remove everything . Should I be asking to have heart tests done regularly . I have a very stressful home life as I have a child with severe complex needs and I worry about how this will impact my heart . How long was your recovery ?

[Orange_2022 in reply to Mufc1999]

Hi again - no problem at all. It's important to ask questions and be as fully informed as you can! My borderline cancer (stage 1) wasn't detected until after the operation (I am interested that they're able to tell with you beforehand - blood tests or a biopsy?) although I guess they thought it was a possibility. So although the consultant did take a bit of persuading, he agreed there wasn't any real need to take out the cervix. Stage 1 usually means there isn't a spread I think - it's borderline after all. I did have to have a secondary operation to remove some lymph nodes to check this though after the borderline diagnosis.

Of course they were very adamant that I had regular cervical smears thereafter. And I had to go back twice a year (and then annually) for blood tests etc. to ensure no development but after 6 years I was 'signed off' by the consultant and haven't had to go back.

In terms of recovery - it is a major operation and mine took several hours apparently. I was fairly fit before the op and got out of bed and started walking the hospital corridors as soon as I felt able to ensure I could be discharged after the minimum time. You'll be tired for a few weeks and will need to rest, walk, eat well (with others sorting food out for you at first), not carry anything or exert yourself for 6+ weeks until you've healed up a bit (I think I got signed off work for 3 months after the first operation but I did a bit from home after 8 weeks as I recovered well). General anaesthetic does take it out of you so don't rush things. Hopefully you can get some help with your child during your recovery period as you'll need to rest and not strain or exert yourself.

There's no history of heart disease in my family and I'm fine on that front - there are lots of things you can do to help your heart health in terms of diet, exercise and tests if you're concerned but of course stress can be a factor. Do make sure you discuss things with health professionals - your GP/consultant/nurses/hospital occupational health etc. They're usually good at allaying any fears and some of them should have some good advice to offer. I'm sure you can ask for an annual heart check up and if you're at risk you may be offered one - the NHS seems to be upping its game a bit in terms of prevention.

Anything like this is worrying but many of us come out the other side and are fine - I'm still ageing of course but don't think the hysterectomy accelerated things very much and most people think I'm younger than I am. (Maybe I don't act very mature!)

Wishing you the very best.

[bantam12]

I had total abdominal hysterectomy 5 months ago, I also have heart and thyroid problems. I did have post op sepsis a week later but that’s just me as I have autoimmune problems so more at risk.

Have to say the hysterectomy was the best thing I’ve ever done, the worry of something more serious going on has gone and apart from chronic fatigue which I had before anyway I’m doing well. Didn’t have any effect on heart or thyroid issues.

[Mufc1999 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for your reply . Did you have both ovaries removed too ? Are you on HRT now ? Pleased you are doing well

[bantam12 in reply to Mufc1999]

I only had 1 ovary after previous surgery but yes that was taken out along with uterus, tubes and cervix. I’m on topical estriol due to ongoing vaginal atrophy which was nothing to do with the hysterectomy.