Total or Partial Hysterectomy

I had my fibroids removed when I was 38 years old. That was approximately 9 years ago. They have not returned. My mother had a partical hysterectomy approximately 20 years ago. She asked her OB/GYN to leave her ovaries in place. They were able to do so. She was pleased with her decision. Good Luck!

Dear C.,
I understand your concern as I had the same dilemma at age 40. After doing much research myself, and consulting friends who are surgeons, I opted for a partial hysterectomy. As long as there is no problem with the ovaries, why have them removed? (You know the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".)Plus, then there is no need for hormone therapy. Taking hormones medically can be tricky. I remember my mother going through it. She was a bear until the found the correct levels.
I can honestly say that having a partial hysterectomy was one of the best choices I ever made - no more periods, no more discharge, and without the tumors I went down 1 pants size.
As far as forced menapause, it only creats that illusion; that being lost periods. If you keep your ovaries, your body still goes through it's regular cycle; you still ovulate, you still experience cramps or bloating, breast tenderness. Your gyn will still ask you when do you THINK your last period would have been? NO clue, I don't pay attention anymore.
You go through menapause when you're supposed to. This past year, at age 51, I experienced hot flashes for about 2 months. I mentioned it to my doctor, and we relented that I have now officially hit menapause.
Just one more thing I'd like to mention. During my hysterectomy surgery, the dr. found a pre-cancerous growth on one of my ovaries, and simply removed it without taking the ovary. As she said, it was not possible to ask my permission at the time to take the ovary. Since then, she keeps a close watch on the health of the ovaries via ultrasound. Fine by me.
I wish you all the best,
W.

Hi - I have had a partial where they left the ovaries in. I had cysts. I was skeptical too but now glad I did not force menopause. My Dr advised me to keep them so I would have a better sex drive. Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

L.

I think you should look into UTI Uterine Fibroid Embolization. This methond is less evasive and you do not have to get an hysterectomy. I also had Fibroids and I opt for this method and I was very satisfied. You can look into the website ask4ufe.com. It will provide you with details questions and answers to this alternative. Hopes this helps

The best advice that helped me towards deciding whether or not to take the chance of having a partial or full hysterectomy was based my doctor telling me that a partial might have other complications further down the road versus a total would alleviate the chances of me ever having to worry about it. Another good peice of advice was this, 'if it's not working than take it out'. Sound like a man's advice? It was, yet, it wasn't as insensitive as i may have thought at first. The reality of it all is that if something is not working and you can afford to do away with it entirely than why not? Leaving anything over for chances of doing it over again later just did not seem like the right choice for me. May god be with you and bless you with your decision and operative care before, during and after. Sincerely, june in november 2009

Dear C. D,

I understand your dilemma. I dealt with severe endometreosis since the age of 19. I had my first surgery at 20 years old;so severe my second surgeon was a cancer specialist. They took out my left ovary (which was totally damaged) and tumors covered most of my internal organs. My body healed and for several years I was normal, I even had a beautiful baby girl, Olivia. Anyone with endometreosis knows that it is difficult to get pregnant with this condition. However 11 years later, it come back more severe than ever. Forcing my physician to preform a total hysterctomy was the most freedom I have had in years.

Look at this as a blessing, I did!

Hi C.
Don't jump until you know!!
No sense finding answers to questions that have not been asked.
I was diagnosed with fibroid tumor when I was young. Young enough to still be living home. My either was advised or did not agree to surgery. That tumor did grow. When I got pg with my first, the OB said he was surprised to see me pg because of the tumors. I knew I had fibroid tumor so never made comment. All went well, with that pg and the next. Later in life, I was having some issues, so went in to OB, figuring that I was going to have fibroid issues. Nope pg with twins and there was discussion about a third area. The tech finally said "have you ever been diagnosed with fibroid? or is this baby C?" Knowing I had it was agreed it was twins. Today those twins are 18 and I still have the fibroid it is calcified and not causing further problems.
That is my story.
I recommend wait. Keep your body whole unless you are given no option. Keep an open mind and ask if things are necessary. Sometimes they are not. Depends on the problems they are causing.
God bless you and your OB as you figure out your specific situation.
K. -- SAHM married 38 years -- Adult children 37,33, and twins 18.

I don't have experience with this personally. however, I just was made aware of a new procedure that is called cryoablation. Its an alternative to hysterectomy. Check it out. The doctor's office is in West Orange. their website is www.rubinoobgyn.com

C.
I have 3 huge fibroids and they have not gotten much smaller since their increase in size from my pregnancy.
I also had my tubes tied after I had my daughter because of the complications I had with the pregnancy (also b/c of the fibroids).
I have had a wonderful year of light periods since having my daughter, but in the last few months, the periods have gotten heavier again and I do beleive the fibroids are getting back into action. I just saw my OB/GYN and I am to have a pelvic Ultra Sound just to see where we are with them.
A hysterectomy is the LAST thing on my Dr's mind!!
There are several other options to think about.
He said an Ablaision is really what I should have and it is now a very non-invasive procedure. It is now an ultra sound guided heat(radio waves) directed procedure. The heat burns into the fiboids and just kills them.
I am sure your Dr. knows your situation, but please look into other, less invasive methods.
The other thing is that if you do need a hysterectomy, you are very young and unless your ovaries are diseased, they will leave your ovaries in place. So you will not go into menaopause until your body is ready for that. (probably close to 16 more years for you).
Good luck with your decision and I do hope your Dr. has other methods to suggest to you instead of an immediate major surgery like that.
Take care,
P.