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Future side effects and risks of a hysterectomy
I'm a 44-year-old healthy female. I've had seven children, ages 2 to 24, after my last one I asked for a partial hysterectomy, my doctor tied my tubes. I'm a 44-year-old healthy female. I've had seven children, after my last one I asked for a partial hysterectomy, my doctor tied my tubes. Heavy bleeding and cramps for 7 to 8 days instead of my normal 4 day light periods. So now my doctor Says we can do a partial hysterectomy, removing the cervix and uterus and the tubes but leaving the ovaries. I have no history of any cancer is in my family.
Says we can do a partial hysterectomy, removing the cervix and uterus and the tubes but leaving the ovaries. I have no history of any cancer is in my family.
My doctor did not say anything about an organ prolapse for any long-term potential risks. I want to know what risks are out there and is that something that is potentially going to happen. My doctor did not say anything about an organ prolapse for any long-term potential risks. I want to know what risks are out there and is that something that is Potentially going to happen. Is it a low risk, or a high risk? I don't know who to ask to get realistic response because most people get a hysterectomy. Is it a low risk, or a high risk? I don't know who to ask to get realistic response because most people get a hysterectomy to fix fibroids or cancer. Or they have a whole slew of other health issues going on. Does anyone have information that can assist me in making an informed choice? I only have about 10 years left before menopause anyway. So the real question is do I deal with the bleeding and cramps ir? I only have about 10 years left before menopause anyway. So the real question is do I deal with the bleeding and cramps or get the hysterectomy and possibly have all of my organs collapse
Says we can do a partial hysterectomy, removing the cervix and uterus and the tubes but leaving the ovaries. I have no history of any cancer is in my family.
My doctor did not say anything about an organ prolapse for any long-term potential risks. I want to know what risks are out there and is that something that is potentially going to happen. My doctor did not say anything about an organ prolapse for any long-term potential risks. I want to know what risks are out there and is that something that is Potentially going to happen. Is it a low risk, or a high risk? I don't know who to ask to get realistic response because most people get a hysterectomy. Is it a low risk, or a high risk? I don't know who to ask to get realistic response because most people get a hysterectomy to fix fibroids or cancer. Or they have a whole slew of other health issues going on. Does anyone have information that can assist me in making an informed choice? I only have about 10 years left before menopause anyway. So the real question is do I deal with the bleeding and cramps ir? I only have about 10 years left before menopause anyway. So the real question is do I deal with the bleeding and cramps or get the hysterectomy and possibly have all of my organs collapse
Hi, I too am a victim of hysterectomy...it was supposed to "cure" my endometriosis...I was in so much pain and my periods were so heavy I was tired and at the end of my rope...after 13 years of trying to figure out what was wrong and being tossed from dr. to dr...I finally found endometriosis when I put in "large blood clots with period" I went in told my dr. that this is what I thought I had and so we did the laproscopic surgery and though the ultrasounds and MRI's (pelvic and vaginal) did not show anything when he went in I had deeply infiltrated endometriosis so I had everything removed (including my ovaries) I asked the dr. all the questions I knew to ask...I did not have a clue of the potential of pelvic organ prolapse...so I had the surgery to finally get my life back...10.5 years later I have had 8 surgeries now in regards to all the problems caused by first the endometriosis, but also the hysterectomy...I still struggle and am at the end of my rope...if I could go back one thing I would have NEVER done in this journey was the hysterectomy...they make it all seem so simple...no big deal...well it is a big deal because they are cutting the support system (ligaments), nerve and blood supply...my vaginal vault did fall along with rectocele (x's 2), cystocele, entrocele, rectal intussusception, my pelvic muscles (levator ani) had torn and collapsed to the base of my pelvic floor so it was all sitting down in the pelvis instead of being held in place like it would have been had structures still been in place...I may have still had pop issues but they would have been MUCH less severe...one of my surgeries was 6.5 hours...I have had to have 1/2 my colon cut out...sex life...I was one who did have uterine contractions with my orgasm...now I am really lucky to get a baby orgasm...I was put into instant menopause in my early 30's and it was hell..the hormone replacement will NEVER replace the real hormones...they just give you a shot at feeling a bit better...and you get to pay for them...when your ovaries gave you all you need for free...granted you state you are keeping your ovaries...even if they do wake up you will go through the menopause phase until they do wake up and then if you are lucky enough for them to wake up research shows women who undergo hysterectomies and retain their ovaries the ovaries will shut down 5 years earlier...and as Old b4 your time pointed out...our ovaries do continue to give us hormones even after menopause...You may luck and and not be one to develop issues, but I must say...I often wonder how many of these women are relating their symptoms to aging when it's actually because they had a hysterectomy...things like "peeing ourselves" I know for me I can't go back so I make the best of it and try to be well, live life fully but I am beyond tired and still deal with the same stuff I did prior to the hysterectomy...the only good thing is no more periods...but instead of periods pads alot of us get to wear poise pads for urine instead...
My Mom had severe bleeding and she kept her uterus, she was anemic for many years before menopause finally kicked in, but she did not die and her dr. looked her square in the face when she declined the hysterectomy "you will be back for the hysterectomy count on it" well, guess what...she didn't and she is not suffering with the stuff I am and is 20 years older then me...if only I could have been more knowledgeable...I am glad to see you are searching for answers and not taking this lightly because trust me...it's an easy surgery for dr.'s and they will encourage you to go that route and will not tell you all the facts...so keep seeking answers and then with the info you gather make your best decision for you and move forward and whatever the outcome of your choice...you will survive, but do know life after hysterectomy is very different! Good luck!
My Mom had severe bleeding and she kept her uterus, she was anemic for many years before menopause finally kicked in, but she did not die and her dr. looked her square in the face when she declined the hysterectomy "you will be back for the hysterectomy count on it" well, guess what...she didn't and she is not suffering with the stuff I am and is 20 years older then me...if only I could have been more knowledgeable...I am glad to see you are searching for answers and not taking this lightly because trust me...it's an easy surgery for dr.'s and they will encourage you to go that route and will not tell you all the facts...so keep seeking answers and then with the info you gather make your best decision for you and move forward and whatever the outcome of your choice...you will survive, but do know life after hysterectomy is very different! Good luck!
Unfortunately, tubals can cause heavier and longer periods and most women are not told this beforehand. Most women are not told about the long-term effects of hysterectomy either which is why it is so common. Since only 2% are done for cancer in the U.S., most women would likely forego having a hysterectomy if they knew the truth beforehand.
You are right to be concerned about an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse as well as vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy. But the risks and side effects of hysterectomy involve a much longer list than prolapse. I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago and speak from experience as well as the knowledge I have gained since undergoing this damaging surgery.
The bladder and bowel descend without the uterus to separate them and hold them in place. Even absent prolapse, this often alters their functions. I experience intense pain when both my bladder and bowel are full. And they sometimes do not empty completely. This can lead to kidney problems. Also, the repositioning of these organs can cause cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, and fistula. Look up these terms.
Since the uterus is key to sexual function, many women lose sexual desire and response even if they keep their ovaries. This loss will be particularly felt by women who had uterine orgasms.
Your figure changes after hysterectomy because the uterine ligaments are the support structures for the pelvis. Severing them causes the hip bones to widen, the spine to compress, and the rib cage to fall onto the hip bones. So you end up with a shorter, thicker midsection with a protruding belly (no waist). I always had flat, toned abs. My lower abdomen is now a bulbous blob of fat even though I am underweight and have not had the weight gain of which so many women complain post-hysterectomy. The curve in my lower back is gone (since my rib cage fell) so my butt looks flat.
Oh and one other thing - There is a fairly high chance that your ovaries will fail since the uterus, ovaries, and tubes work as a unit / system. This failure can cause a surgical type "menopause" / castration which has a whole long list of health and quality of life issues. INTACT women's ovaries are shown to produce hormones well into their 70's and maybe beyond especially testosterone that the body converts into estrogen as needed. These hormones are essential for every aspect of health (heart, brain, joints, vision, hair, skin, etc). These functions became devastatingly clear to me very quickly post-op and HRT cannot completely make up for what was lost.
Although you don't need them for their intended purpose, taking birth control pills for this bleeding would make much more sense. Even prescription strength NSAID's have been shown to reduce flow. Another option is prescription Lysteda (tranexamic acid). This table lists pharmaceutical options for treating heavy bleeding - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56545/table/ch8.t1/?report=objectonly.
Hope this helps!
You are right to be concerned about an increased risk of pelvic organ prolapse as well as vaginal vault prolapse after hysterectomy. But the risks and side effects of hysterectomy involve a much longer list than prolapse. I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago and speak from experience as well as the knowledge I have gained since undergoing this damaging surgery.
The bladder and bowel descend without the uterus to separate them and hold them in place. Even absent prolapse, this often alters their functions. I experience intense pain when both my bladder and bowel are full. And they sometimes do not empty completely. This can lead to kidney problems. Also, the repositioning of these organs can cause cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, and fistula. Look up these terms.
Since the uterus is key to sexual function, many women lose sexual desire and response even if they keep their ovaries. This loss will be particularly felt by women who had uterine orgasms.
Your figure changes after hysterectomy because the uterine ligaments are the support structures for the pelvis. Severing them causes the hip bones to widen, the spine to compress, and the rib cage to fall onto the hip bones. So you end up with a shorter, thicker midsection with a protruding belly (no waist). I always had flat, toned abs. My lower abdomen is now a bulbous blob of fat even though I am underweight and have not had the weight gain of which so many women complain post-hysterectomy. The curve in my lower back is gone (since my rib cage fell) so my butt looks flat.
Oh and one other thing - There is a fairly high chance that your ovaries will fail since the uterus, ovaries, and tubes work as a unit / system. This failure can cause a surgical type "menopause" / castration which has a whole long list of health and quality of life issues. INTACT women's ovaries are shown to produce hormones well into their 70's and maybe beyond especially testosterone that the body converts into estrogen as needed. These hormones are essential for every aspect of health (heart, brain, joints, vision, hair, skin, etc). These functions became devastatingly clear to me very quickly post-op and HRT cannot completely make up for what was lost.
Although you don't need them for their intended purpose, taking birth control pills for this bleeding would make much more sense. Even prescription strength NSAID's have been shown to reduce flow. Another option is prescription Lysteda (tranexamic acid). This table lists pharmaceutical options for treating heavy bleeding - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56545/table/ch8.t1/?report=objectonly.
Hope this helps!
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