Lowered uterus

I would very much appreciate any kind of help or advice concerning the problem with my uterus. I'm not quite sure what the right expression is in English. I'm 66 years old and my uterus is very lowered, in fact the strings that are holding it are very stretched. One of the doctors suggested an operation and one said that it's the best to build in a Pessar, a ring that would prevent the uterus from getting very low. Is it true that this technique is "old fashioned" and not recommended? Thank you , and I'm looking forward to your response.

[nanakay]

i assume that the operation that the doctors are recommending is a hystorectomy....taking the uterus out??
if so then why not..you say you are 66, i realize that people are waiting until later in life to have chidren but if you aren't "using" the uterus why keep a problematic part around.
hope all works out well for you
~nanci

[carolyn55806]

Hello,
I am not a doctor, but my mother had the same problem...her uterus dropped very low and her doctor recommended a partial hysterectomy (I'm not sure how to spell it). She got the operation and has had no problems since.  I would tell you to perhaps get a second opinion from another doctor, just in case. Good luck to you.

[nanakay]

that is not neccessarily true.  your hormones will only be affected if they take the ovaries....that is a "complete hysterectomy" a partial will  leave the ovaries for hormone perposes.
both of my sisters have had to have them. the oldest one had a partial and her hormones are fine. the middle one had to have a complete, they were unable to save the ovaries and yes her hormones went wacko.
~nanci

[lovinmom]

I think the term your looking for is a prolasped uterus.  That is where the uterus is low and almost falling out.  A pessary is a plastic or rubber device that is inserted into the vagina for the purpose of holding it up for a temporary basis.  This is done instead of a hysterectomy or if the doctor feels a woman is too old to have surgery.  If it were myself, I would not want a hysterectomy.  After a hysterectomy, a woman's hormones are all thrown off and have to take replacement hormones.  Some women have depression and other hormone related problems.  A pessary is a better alternative than surgery.  I hope this helps.  

I got this info from a book called "1250 Health Care Questions Women Ask"  by doctor Joe S. Mcllhaney, Jr. M.D.  He is head of the director of a OB/GYN Medical Association.  I think it is wonderful that your doctor did not jump to trying to get you to have a hysterectomy.  Many of the newer doctors seem to opt for the less natural and go with more invasive.  I like many of the older doctors because they know about procedures that are more conservative and they know that they work.  Some younger doctors have not seen the long term effects of the less invasive.  Also, it is not as profitable.  I wish you the best.

[Laton]

Thank you all very much!!

[lovinmom]

Yes.  I was referring to a total hysterectomy.  Sorry for not being as clear on that one.  I wish you the best.