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hi ive just been told i need a hysterectomy

Posted , 6 users are following.

linda33333
linda33333

just had my gyn app yesterday told i needed to have a hysterectomy which im pleased about got fibroids and periods can last for weeks so my question is do i keep my ovaries or not im 48 yrs old had a few mths of hot flushes i just dont know what to do apparantly its up to me my gyno said help !!

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • janet0263
    janet0263 linda33333

    Posted

    Hi Linda, 

    Well only you can really make that decision.  I had a full abdominal hysterectomy 6 weeks ago and had my remaining ovary removed (I had the left one removed 23 years ago due to a large cyst that grew in pregnancy). I'm 51 and post menopausal so it hasn't made a lot of difference to me.  Had a few hot sweats but they seem to be settling now and it's nice not to have to worry about cysts or ovarian cancer or womb or cervical cancer ( no more smear tests cheesygrin  ) so I'm glad I've had everything out.   I had the hysterectomy due to a 10 cm cyst on my right ovary which my consultant wasn't sure about so he thought an hysterectomy was the best thing for me and I agreed.  Had the cyst tested and thankfully it was all okay cheesygrin   

  • bunnyg
    bunnyg linda33333

    Posted

    Hi, Linda, had mine at 51 in 2011 because of a huge fibroid and a history of endometrial cancer in the family. They ended up removing everything but the cervix. Recovery was great, but losing those ovaries pushed me straight into post menopause. No hot flashes etc., but two months post op, I did plummet into a bit of a depression. Now, I'm feeling great, but one big side effect is a total lack of libido. I'm single so no worries. I didn't (and won't) take any hormones and that may have "helped prevent" this "no drive" issue. But I'm 100% fine with it. It's a new phase of my life.
    • linda33333
      linda33333 bunnyg

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply im a bit unsure what to do my doctor has left the decision up to me think im already starting peri men no libido mood swings hot flushes ect just want it all over and done with all l seem to do lately is moan even sick of hearing my self 
    • bunnyg
      bunnyg linda33333

      Posted

      My understanding is that removal of the ovaries will "end" menopause in terms of hot flushes and mood swings. My mood didn't swing: it just crashed post op. I was crappy and very low for about 2 months. but I'm glad the op forced me to the end of menopause. PM me if you want to chat. Happy to do that. It really depends on what your personal situation is and how you want to live your life smile
  • kelly20688
    kelly20688 linda33333

    Posted

    Hi Linda

    I had a full hysterectomy and I really wish I could have kept my ovaries because my mood swings are terrible and I get really down in the dumps I'm now on my second different type of hrt and im still not right. Kelly

  • bunnyg
    bunnyg linda33333

    Posted

    I'm really interested to find out how long these post-full hysterectomy mood swings are lasting for you ladies. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't (and don't) use any HRT and plunged into 2-3 months of depression. But 3 months later, I was out the other end of the manic blues and life got a lot better. I sometimes wonder if it's worth suffering like hell for three months without medication but then being reasonably level and drug free.

     

    • cathy27278
      cathy27278 bunnyg

      Posted

      Hi Bunnyg, I didnt use medication or HRT either. I had about 2 months depression as well. I walk more and do more things so my mind cannot think about being bummed or be sad. My mind just wouldnt relax. I think it takes about a year for our bodies to settle into a routine. I even changed my diet and take multiple vitamns for 50 plus. I think its awesome you didnt use HRT and are fighting your depression with out medication. Its like a roller coaster ride. I believe it will all smooth out. Keep up the good work! Sounds like your recovery has been a bit like mine..

      cathy

    • kelly20688
      kelly20688 bunnyg

      Posted

      Hi 

      My gp told me that I had to have hrt because of my age have I been miss informed?  I would much rather be drug free 

    • bunnyg
      bunnyg kelly20688

      Posted

      Mine recommended it. He even slapped one on my arse while I was in recovery. I complained and he asked me to keep it on for 4 days at least. I did...then ripped it off. I had a bone density test done in 2010 and all was well. I eat healthily, I'm not overweight, and menopause is a natural life event for women. I'm not going to medicate a phase of my life away. That's my position (sorry if it's ranty!!) but it's a choice. Ask him to confirm why you "have to" take hrt. If it's because of mood and libido, that's one thing. If it's because your particular health history means you're more than likely to have a stroke or break both hips, that's another. We need to be proactive with our bodies and with our treatment. 
    • liz53953
      liz53953 kelly20688

      Posted

      Hi Kelly you don't have to take anything if you would rather not. The decision is yours if natural is your preferred route then ditch the hrt. Why has your doctor said you must there must be a logical reason that's been explained to you. 
    • bunnyg
      bunnyg cathy27278

      Posted

      You know, Cathy, now I don't think it was depression. I think it was plain old grief that the "young" phase of my life was over. I hadn't at that point seen the benefits...just the "loss." As the months moved by, and as I walked away from a relationship that wasn't (as Fairground Attraction would say) "perfect," I got a lot more mellow about this next phase. 
    • cathy27278
      cathy27278 kelly20688

      Posted

      From what I was told if your 50 and older you dont need HRT. I would do some reading up on HRT as it can be very dangerous. Not sure how old are you are. Im doing fine with out HRT and Im 52.
    • cathy27278
      cathy27278 bunnyg

      Posted

      I felt the same bunny. Im just now mellowing out and getting grips to getting older too. I describe it like a roller coaster ride. Up and down when will this end. I was constantly thinking about this and that and my son leaving to Uni. My mind wouldnt shut down. But now Im feeling great! I think it was all the hormones fluctuating..
  • cathy27278
    cathy27278 linda33333

    Posted

    Hi linda33333,

    I am 5ft 8 inches and weigh about 175 pounds. My laperscopic suregry I had everything removed. Ovaries, fallopian tubes, unterus, cervix. I am 2 months post op and feeling great. The first month and half I had a bit of depression. My mind wouldnt stop thinking or relax. Im now feeling the best I have ever felt! Your ovaries shut down eventually so here is how I thought about it. I just want to get it all over with now so in the years to come I didnt have to go thru the mood swings/ depression or worry about  ovarian cancer/cysts things like that. Now I have no worries no periods just some hot flashes from time to time and even those are subsiding. I also lost weight. I weighed 190 pds pre op. Excersise pre op and walk as much as you can post op. Hope this helps. 

    Cathy

  • liz53953
    liz53953 linda33333

    Posted

    Hi Linda I had a hysterectomy at 47 left my ovaries in as it made going up to menopause better. I think if you have everything out at once it sends you into menopause very quickly. I started menopause round about 50 hope this helps. It's what you want in the end 
    • cathy27278
      cathy27278 liz53953

      Posted

      Liz I was going thru perimenopause at about your age. Hot flashes, sleepless nights, mood problems, constantly trying to get a grip on things in my mind. Worst of all was the hemmoriga bleeding. Not sure I spelled that right. But once my total laperscopic hysterectomy was done. I felt 100 percent better. Back pains gone and everything is just getting better everyday. So menopause has been great for me! Im 52 and had my surgery june 26 2014. I am so happy my ovaries and cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes are gone. I dont have to worry about cyst or cancer things like that. I wished all my bits were out when I was 47 because ovaries produce hormones and cause all the problems to begin with for me any way. Menopause is great! Perimenopause sucks! 
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