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[MrsMitch]

Hello again ladies and a happy new year to you all xx
We've just been visiting friends and I was chatting alone with the wife of the couple as she, too, has had years of gynae issues. She ended up having a hysterectomy even though it wasn't  totally necessary for her. She had a cyst on her ovary, having already had one removed at 14 and had polyps too. She had told the consultant that if, when he got in during the procedure to sort the 2 problems out, he thought a full hysterectomy would be a good idea, to go ahead. Although only 40, she'd had children and been sterilised.
So she asked even if the results of my hysteroscopy were good, would it be a good idea to ask for a hysterectomy anyway. She said it could mean I might be able to go back on hrt as there would obviously be no issues re womb lining any more and no risk of ovarian or cervical cancer too.
I must admit that now my menopause symptoms are returning things are looking bleak and I know they will only get worse. I also know that despite deciding not to go back to hrt due to this scare, apparently I should have been informed I was going to be in a higher risk group because I'd had endometriosis very badly and the hrt would likely cause issues, which it seems it has now.
So I just wonder if any of you have had a hysterectomy without it being essential? Of course I don't know if the consultant would even agree to that, but would like to consider all my options. I've wanted one since I was told I would never conceive at 19 but at that age it was refused even though the endometriosis was severe.
I don't know if it would be wise to consider exploring that option or not. Obviously until I get my test results I do know what's ahead yet.

[CLKD]

If you feel that it's an essential procedure for you, as well as by having surgery you will not need as many apps with GPs etc., why would a Consultant not consider it?

Some Surgeons don't remove cervix or ovaries at the same time.  Taking the latter can cause its own medical issues.  My Surgeon however told me that he would 'take it all, to save going in again should there be future problems'.  I was having treatment privately, he could have made money I suppose by waiting on an 'in case' basis but was thinking about the overall health of his patients.

Not all Gynaes are aware of HRT complications etc. so although 'you should have been told', it mayB that the Consultant simply didn't know.

What is your gut feeling?

[MrsMitch]

Hi CLKD, I don't know what my gut feeling is tbh. I do know I still have a few issues from endometriosis that I think a hysterectomy would solve, but need specialist advice. I know it's better to keep your 'bits' if there is no concerning reasons to remove. I do have a cyst on one ovary - mentioned at TVS.  I had laser treatment following an abnormal smear, so removing the cervix would take another concern away.
I'm going to write all these concerns and questions down and talk them through with the consultant if I get the all clear.
Thank you for your answer.

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on.

[vicr]

I was only diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 42, during surgery to remove an ovarian cyst (and the ovary it was growing from), but within 5 years, I was having endless endo pain caused by my hormones going haywire, aka peri-menopause.

I asked for referral to a gynae team that specialise in endo, as I hoped they'd agree to a full hysterectomy. I couldn't see anything else that'd help, having tried various pills and injections to stop periods, and pain killers were not helping.

So whether it was clinically necessary, possibly not, as they can operate and just remove any endo they find, but at my age, if they were operating, I wanted it all gone. And I made that clear as soon as I spoke to the consultant. She listened to my pros vs cons, and agreed straight away.

Although she was surprised that I'd asked for my remaining ovary to be removed, but after asking me a few questions to confirm my understanding of things, okayed that too.

I wanted my hormones to drop to a steady level, I didn't want the chance of developing another large ovarian cyst, or to have an ovarian cancer risk. My ovary was doing me no good at this point.

A very personal decision I know, but absolutely the best thing for me. I'm pain free, and have got my life back.

[CLKD]

   "vicr"