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[Natatters]

Recent scan/hysteroscopy shows I have three fibroids and adenomyosis. These are causing severe stomach cramps and some bleeding (although since taking norethisterone bleeding has stopped). Since starting the norethisterone I have been feeling rubbish. Depressed (intermittently), v anxious, bloated, gained weight. Feeling as bad if not worse than I felt before I started the HRt. Gynaecologist says i can either have fibroids removed and Mirena put in. 70-80% chance of bleeding and cramps stopping. Or I can have a key hole hysterectomy. The latter seems a bit of a drastic move but I am sorely tempted. It would mean no more progesterone which i suspect is contributing to me feeling rubbish (I took ustrogen for 9 months and felt much better on this but was bleeding every 7-10 days). I just want to feel ok again! Would love to hear others experiences of having this type of hysterectomy. Good or bad. Thank you.

[Bobidy]

Hi

I had a laproscopic (keyhole) hysterectomy a few months ago after years of fibroids, debilitating heavy periods and everything that goes with it. I constantly felt dreadful with anemia, hated the iron tablets etc etc. It was ruining my life basically. I also started with peri a couple of years ago and all the crappy symptoms of that too. I'd totally had enough, so had the hysterectomy.

I can honestly say it's the best thing I've done. I kept my ovaries so that they could splutter on for a while longer (I think that's important if possible). I've since now started hrt Oestrogel so I'm lucky I don't have to take progesterone.

The future is much brighter and I already feel loads better.

A hysterectomy is a major decision and does not come without potential complications. I got as fit and healthy as I could pre op and did lots of prep to make things easier pre and post op which helped massively. Recovery is at least 12 weeks no matter what anybody tells you, I would say more like 16. But after the first 6 weeks the worst is over and it is all manageable with help. Don't rush back to work!

Laproscopic / vaginal kis better than abdominal I think. I did not want to wait until my 50's and 60's and my fibroid to have grown to the point only abdominal was an option. I also really wanted to start hrt for peri and the oestrogen can grow fibroids.

There are other options, all come with risks though.

There is risk of prolapse after as there is for any woman any way. I suggest starting to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles now a few months before surgery as it helps and then maintain that forever.

If you have any further questions or if I can help you prepare just private message me x

Here's a link from RCOG which you may find helpful:

https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/?q=Hysterectomy&subject=&orderby=title

[Eviepf]

Hi Natatters. I had a hysterectomy about 8 years ago, in my mid-50s because of fibroids (well, mostly one massive one) which had been causing me terrible bleeding, clotting, cramping and general discomfort over the whole of my pelvic region. I had hoped it could be done laparoscopically, but not possible as the fibroid was too big, so had to have abdominal in the end. I kept my ovaries and cervix - I think my ovaries kept going for a few years and then gave out 3-4 years ago.

I was worried about how the after effects would be, but was pleasantly surprised. I had minimal pain - took the prescribed painkillers for a few days but they made me so nauseous that I stopped. I was signed off work for 6 weeks and gradually started working from home (pacing myself) after 4 weeks, then went back 2 weeks later. My husband was, as ever, brilliant about helping at home and, other than feeling quite vulnerable about the possibility of falling over on my way to work (it was winter time, with icy paths etc) I felt pretty much OK after the 6 weeks was up. My employer allotted me a temporary parking space which minimised walking, which helped a lot. I took it easy for a few weeks more - no heavy lifting etc!

Not having the awful pain and flooding was marvellous. As far as sex was concerned (after enough time had elapsed for me to even think about it!) I was sorry to find that orgasms post hysterectomy were pretty 'meh'. The part that uterine contractions play in orgasm (for me, anyway) were huge. Things have improved over time, though - I think my body has learnt to adjust. 8 years down the line, I've still had no regrets and have suffered no ill-effects.

I know my surgery is different to yours in that yours would be keyhole if you do decide to go ahead - still a major thing to have to consider though. I just wanted to share my experience in the hope that it might help.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. x

[Bobidy]

I would suggest checking out your local gyno surgeons too. If you look at your private hospitals and the overviews for each gyno you should find one that specialised in Laproscopic. If they teach, research, have specialist interest etc that is a good sign. The one at my local Nhs hospital only offered abdominal but I went for a private consultation with one of the best lap surgeons in my area and he said lap would be no problem (depending on what happened during the op of course, or as he put it "what we find when we get in there"). So I think it does all depend on their training and skill. As with gps (as we all now realise) not all gynos are created equal. You don't have to have the op private as most private gynos also have Nhs practice too, you just obviously have to go on a long waiting list if it isn't an emergency. This gives you time to get fit, healthy and bust those pelvic floor moves though in preparation!

No 2 hysterectomys are the same though as we all have different things going on inside, have different levels of health and fitness and circumstantial things that happen on the day, so everybody's experience and recovery is unique to them.

Xx

[sheila99]

Is it really one or the other? Or could you try the mirena route and still have it removed at a later date if it doesn't work for you? You could try jaydess if mirena doesn't suit you. Perhaps also a chat with the specialist about what can go wrong. As I understand it you're more likely to prolapse and that causes it's own issues which may not be easy to fix. Pelvic floor exercises are easy now but you may not be doing them when you're 90! I still have my bits so not best placed to advise but as a matter of principle I'd want to rule out other options before I opted for surgery. You have to go with what's best for you but weigh up the risks carefully. Whatever you decide I hope it works for you.

[Bobidy]

Yes definately do some research and get some sound medical advice.

There is a prolapse guide I think in the RCOG link above. I think there is less risk if you keep your cervix (also less risk to bladder and bowel), although you may still have uterine cells at the top of the cervix so would still need smears, may still have a slight bleed, and I think you still need progesterone hrt for a while after too.

I think you are also more at risk of prolapse if you have had vaginal births, suffer from constipation etc so this is something to consider. If heavy lifting is a part of your daily life this is also a problem.

If you keep your ovaries they usually remove the Fallopian tubes as they think this is where ovarian cancer may start.

If ovaries are removed then you will go into immediate surgical meno (if you aren't already). Even if you keep them they may fail sooner, losing oestrogen and testosterone.

As it is abdominal surgery there is risk of blood clots but if so you have a raised risk you get anti clotting injections and we all have those gorgeous surgical stockings.

You cannot lift, bend, stretch for at least 6 weeks. I'm still really careful now too.

For my history risks were minimal and it was a good decision, but yes please do seek advise. Xx

[KiltedCupid]

Have any ladies had a vaginal hysterectomy? My research suggests it's the least complicated.

[Bobidy]

Hi (sorry I feel like I'm dominating this thread).

Mine was vaginal / laproscopic.

I had a small (5mm) cut in the belly button for the laproscopic camera, and 2x 1cm cuts near the hip bones for gas inflation and instruments. Once 'bits' are separated they are whipped out of the nethers. Then the top of the vagina is stitched into a 'cuff'. I was then glued back together.

I don't mean to sound flippant about it at all. I was totally terrified on the build up to it and thought maybe I should just carry on with the heavy periods but it was not as bad as I feared at all.

I have friends who have had abdominal and they struggled much more but I do think it is unique to the individual and dependent on the surgeons skill xx

[Two hoots]

After polyps were found in July I was offered a hysterectomy or a dilation and curettage, and mirena fitting. I had the D/C and mirena fitted today. I thought a hysterectomy was a bit drastic and a last option.

You have to do what you feel comfortable with, read and ask for advice but it's your decision, you will make the correct choice for you 

[Natatters]

Thanks so much to everyone who has replied. It is all really useful stuff, and I know ultimately I need to make my own informed decision. Have been struggling with everything this week hence the late response.  Up all night last night with terrible cramps so know I need to do something.  It seems that most of you have had positive experiences which is great to hear. I am fit, healthy, a good weight and pelvic floor ok so think I would be low risk for the surgery. However it is still a major surgery and that scares me! Not so much the actual surgery but what happens afterwards.  Am now leaning toward the fibroid removal and mirena (fibroids are currently too big for one to be fitted) to see how that goes in an effort to stop the bleeding and cramps. Although head is all over the place at the moment so may still change my mind🤷🏼‍♀️. I am going to hopefully speak to my GP next week (getting an appt with her is so hard!) as I know she has had a hysterectomy to see what her take is. Thank you again everyone.