Aa
To Cherie and Laney
To: Cherie762 and Laney8463
Thank you both for the comments. As you well know all this is a bit overwhelming. And it all came about because of a pretty small fibroid, only 2 1/2 cent. But because of it's placement it has given me grief. The surgery I had before (lap myomectomy) worked great but either the fibroid itself that has come back or the scar tissue from the surgery is blocking my cervix so the doc can't get in to do the procedure again, although he says he will be more than happy to try if that is want I want. He really is a great doctor, one of the best in his fields here in New York City, but there is only so much he can do, and his resolution that just removing my uterus will have no hormonal side effects puzzles me as I know the opposite to be true. So my options are limited it appears, live with the fibroid or take out my uterus. I would keep my ovaries and fight to keep my cervix as well because of the side effects that removing your cervix can cause. Such as displacement of the bladder and colon and no support for your vagina as well as a shorter vagina which can cause sexual problems. Some woman even report to have weaker orgasms after the uterus is removed because a big part of an orgasm is uterine contractions in many woman. My doctor agreed that all this is true but the benefits outweigh the side effects. To which I replied " With all due respect, if I were the doc and you came to me with a problem and I said that I could fix the problem but by doing so you may develop erection issues and might not have as much sexual pleasure as before, what would you say?" To which he replied, "Very good point."
In any case I am meeting with a female specialist to see what she says.
Thanks again.
Thank you both for the comments. As you well know all this is a bit overwhelming. And it all came about because of a pretty small fibroid, only 2 1/2 cent. But because of it's placement it has given me grief. The surgery I had before (lap myomectomy) worked great but either the fibroid itself that has come back or the scar tissue from the surgery is blocking my cervix so the doc can't get in to do the procedure again, although he says he will be more than happy to try if that is want I want. He really is a great doctor, one of the best in his fields here in New York City, but there is only so much he can do, and his resolution that just removing my uterus will have no hormonal side effects puzzles me as I know the opposite to be true. So my options are limited it appears, live with the fibroid or take out my uterus. I would keep my ovaries and fight to keep my cervix as well because of the side effects that removing your cervix can cause. Such as displacement of the bladder and colon and no support for your vagina as well as a shorter vagina which can cause sexual problems. Some woman even report to have weaker orgasms after the uterus is removed because a big part of an orgasm is uterine contractions in many woman. My doctor agreed that all this is true but the benefits outweigh the side effects. To which I replied " With all due respect, if I were the doc and you came to me with a problem and I said that I could fix the problem but by doing so you may develop erection issues and might not have as much sexual pleasure as before, what would you say?" To which he replied, "Very good point."
In any case I am meeting with a female specialist to see what she says.
Thanks again.
I love what you said to the doctor. Man... that was great. And, it was honest. I so often feel the same way. I take estradiol (the only estrogen to use in my opinion) and Testosterone. My husband has been trying to get to the root of some problems that have caused a huge lack of desire... we think it is related to Sleep apnea and he will be tested... yeah! But, when I mentioned this to my doctor, he said, "Oh, you don't need the testosterone, then." This just showed me he knows nothing about women's hormones and how important they are to our daily functioning.
I don't mean to sound arrogant... just greatly annoyed with the medical profession regarding women's health/hormones. I have been following advice by Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet...particularly from the book, 'Screaming to be Heard," and also, "It's Your Ovaries, Stupid." I HIGHLY recommend both books. You simply MUST arm yourself with more information so that you can be prepared if/when various symptoms hit you whether or not you've had a hysterectomy... Menopause alone can send women into the total unknown.
I had everything removed in 2000... including Ovaries and Cervix. My doctor did a nice job reconstructing the vagina, although at times I have felt it could be a little shorter than I would have liked... but, what with our issues at our house, I have not had a ton of pratice lately to know if it would or would not stretch more. On the Orgasm front.. I have to disagree with Cherie on this one, but then, I have had more time since my surgery. I have to say that my Orgasms (don't you love public forums? :)) have been more intense for the most part. I don't think I would be saying this if not for the hormonal treatments I use, but as far as the uterus playing a big part in all this (as far as climaxing), well, yes... that makes things "different," but the only analogy I can think of is this...
Think of people who have lost one of their senses. You know how they make up for that loss by incorporating other senses to become stronger? Other body parts more than make up for the loss of the Uterus. Well, the same is true as far as this subject goes. I can explain further is that makes no sense.
The Uterus does release hormones into the body, so you are correct here.. and, good for you to keep ovaries if you have this done. The Uterus is not thought of as a hormone releasing organ, but it does make contributions... of course, Ovaries are the more important body parts that release hormones.
Having said that, there is often atrophy of the ovaries as quickly as three months after a hysterectomy not involing ovaries. It is from a loss of blood supply. You may or may not be terribly affected, but do look up the symptoms of menopause and promise that you will look into the hormonal connection of the symptoms you may get so you will know how to get help for yourself. I had to increase my use of estradiol (patch.. Vivelle... a bioidentical... GREAT product... No synthetics) to get relief from horrific leg cramps and more recently, foot pain/issues. Some doctors looked at me like I was nuts. It is all about the estrogen... The estradiol particularly. Over 400 bodily functions are affected by estrogen.
If you don't supplement, your body will make a different type of estrogen called Estrone.. but, it is not sufficient AND your body will make more fat (estrone comes from the fat in women in Menopausal years and the fat will accumulate around the belly since that area offers easy access to the estrogen for the body) if you don't supplement... and, you will most likely need it... at least Some of it to reach optimal well-being.
The cervix... hmmm.... I have had problems when I have not had enough estradiol and/or testosterone... again, atrophy is to blame. Many women get relief using something like "Estrace" which is a bioidentical Estradiol (yeah...again on the estradiol!) which is placed vaginally.. it is not systemic and will enrich the tissues that may be lacking in this hormone. Typically the Estrace is used along with a more systemic estrogen (like Vivelle). I have not had prolapse problems, but I have had irritating "leaking" for about three years now. I wear a pad every day, which is totally annoying because you would think that one benefit I would get is that I would not have to wear a pad. And, I could probably take better care of this issue by using the Estrace on a more regular basis... someday. This issue is better since I upped my dose of Estradiol anyway.
Sorry... writing this in a bit of a hurry and I have not taken much time to edit..let me know if you have questions. And, good luck to you!
Mary
I don't mean to sound arrogant... just greatly annoyed with the medical profession regarding women's health/hormones. I have been following advice by Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet...particularly from the book, 'Screaming to be Heard," and also, "It's Your Ovaries, Stupid." I HIGHLY recommend both books. You simply MUST arm yourself with more information so that you can be prepared if/when various symptoms hit you whether or not you've had a hysterectomy... Menopause alone can send women into the total unknown.
I had everything removed in 2000... including Ovaries and Cervix. My doctor did a nice job reconstructing the vagina, although at times I have felt it could be a little shorter than I would have liked... but, what with our issues at our house, I have not had a ton of pratice lately to know if it would or would not stretch more. On the Orgasm front.. I have to disagree with Cherie on this one, but then, I have had more time since my surgery. I have to say that my Orgasms (don't you love public forums? :)) have been more intense for the most part. I don't think I would be saying this if not for the hormonal treatments I use, but as far as the uterus playing a big part in all this (as far as climaxing), well, yes... that makes things "different," but the only analogy I can think of is this...
Think of people who have lost one of their senses. You know how they make up for that loss by incorporating other senses to become stronger? Other body parts more than make up for the loss of the Uterus. Well, the same is true as far as this subject goes. I can explain further is that makes no sense.
The Uterus does release hormones into the body, so you are correct here.. and, good for you to keep ovaries if you have this done. The Uterus is not thought of as a hormone releasing organ, but it does make contributions... of course, Ovaries are the more important body parts that release hormones.
Having said that, there is often atrophy of the ovaries as quickly as three months after a hysterectomy not involing ovaries. It is from a loss of blood supply. You may or may not be terribly affected, but do look up the symptoms of menopause and promise that you will look into the hormonal connection of the symptoms you may get so you will know how to get help for yourself. I had to increase my use of estradiol (patch.. Vivelle... a bioidentical... GREAT product... No synthetics) to get relief from horrific leg cramps and more recently, foot pain/issues. Some doctors looked at me like I was nuts. It is all about the estrogen... The estradiol particularly. Over 400 bodily functions are affected by estrogen.
If you don't supplement, your body will make a different type of estrogen called Estrone.. but, it is not sufficient AND your body will make more fat (estrone comes from the fat in women in Menopausal years and the fat will accumulate around the belly since that area offers easy access to the estrogen for the body) if you don't supplement... and, you will most likely need it... at least Some of it to reach optimal well-being.
The cervix... hmmm.... I have had problems when I have not had enough estradiol and/or testosterone... again, atrophy is to blame. Many women get relief using something like "Estrace" which is a bioidentical Estradiol (yeah...again on the estradiol!) which is placed vaginally.. it is not systemic and will enrich the tissues that may be lacking in this hormone. Typically the Estrace is used along with a more systemic estrogen (like Vivelle). I have not had prolapse problems, but I have had irritating "leaking" for about three years now. I wear a pad every day, which is totally annoying because you would think that one benefit I would get is that I would not have to wear a pad. And, I could probably take better care of this issue by using the Estrace on a more regular basis... someday. This issue is better since I upped my dose of Estradiol anyway.
Sorry... writing this in a bit of a hurry and I have not taken much time to edit..let me know if you have questions. And, good luck to you!
Mary
If for any reason you do need to have your servix removed, please know that most of those side effects are rare although a prolasped bladder and some others are serious.If you have it remove some of the problems like shortening of vagina are a myth,,,alos some think the vagina contorts this can happen if your estogen low but if you take estrogen in any form it does not happen.
Orgasims still happen although they are not as intense as before.That unfortunatley is the trade off to be pain free..but dont think you wont be able to orgasim ,,,you will.
I had a new type of hysterectomy its the robotic assited divanci method...it allows for a lap like hyster with very presise work by the physician..I am happy to say the scars are so small you can hardly see them and I cant sompare to what I didnt have but my recovery was not as difficult as I thought,,,It was very very hard...my very best advice about the operation is to be prepared...make up frozen meals..line up help for the house..the best heal is rest you will need it//God Bless YOU !!!!!!
Orgasims still happen although they are not as intense as before.That unfortunatley is the trade off to be pain free..but dont think you wont be able to orgasim ,,,you will.
I had a new type of hysterectomy its the robotic assited divanci method...it allows for a lap like hyster with very presise work by the physician..I am happy to say the scars are so small you can hardly see them and I cant sompare to what I didnt have but my recovery was not as difficult as I thought,,,It was very very hard...my very best advice about the operation is to be prepared...make up frozen meals..line up help for the house..the best heal is rest you will need it//God Bless YOU !!!!!!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hysterectomy Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
