Question for you ladies who've had a hysterectomy

I had to have mine at 49 years old due to Fibroids that grew inside and outside the womb causing horrendous bleeding and pain for 2 weeks out of every four. I had to have an abdominal one, and the ovaries were removed too.
I was off work for 3 months, which is normal for this operation. I was on painkillers for about 2 weeks, which were very effective, after that I no longer needed them. I was doing light gardening after 8 weeks.
I have never regretted having it done, in fact, when I look back at how I suffered for so long, I truly wish that I had had it done a whole lot sooner.
It gave me my life back.

I had mine done by keyhole surgery about 13 years ago when I was 57. I had it all removed and recovered really quickly - I have had teeth removed which caused me more problems - no word of a lie. It was definitely the best decision I ever made and I have had no long term problems.
Good Luck with your decision x

Not one of you has been anything but positive and this is really helping me in making a decision. I've been so worried about this constant cancer scare but feel now that I can do something and ask the doctors for a hysterectomy. It'll be interesting to see what they have to say....

Mine was an abdominal hysterectomy, incision along the bikini line. It looks horrendous, the scar was thick like a rope, and massive staples had been used. That was 30 years ago when I was 39.

It healed very well, take it easy for 3 weeks they said.... at about one week I washed the floor by sitting on the kitchen floor and using a cloth, it took me over an hour. (My ex didn't 'do housework')

Within a few months you'll be skipping about like a young thing. I can't find the scar now... well I can, but not easily.
There were no problems. I was up the next day and was taught to put a pillow across my stomach if I wanted to cough or laugh

And of course that was 30 years ago, all will be done much more tidily nowadays.

I had the choice taken away from me at 41 when I was diagonosed with ovarian cancer,the ovaries had grown so big they had entwined with other organs so a full hysterectomy was performed,it was found quite by chance after swelling to the tummy caused discomfort and a scan showed the problem.
I had HRT inplants at surgery and it took 4 months for full recovery after 5 years I given the all clear and every check from then on has been clear,I would certainly have the ovaries out at the same time as a hysterectomy it stops any worrying in the future.
I am now 68 next month and have lived a full and healthy lifestyle ever since (apart from usual niggly aches and pains)

Had one at age 36 in 1980' because of large fibroids. Ten days in hospital followed by 6 weeks convalescence. I could have gone away to the seaside for that courtesy of the NHS, but stayed at home as I had 2 children. No exertion, no picking up heavy pans etc. Scar was hip bone to hip bone with dissolvable sub cutaneous stitches. Since my ovaries were left intact I suffered no menopausal issues at all. Sailed through it all after that. Now 73, with a long silver scar on my stomach ?

Yes glamma, if I go ahead, I think the ovaries will be whipped out too! That's wonderful, that you made a full recovery from your ovarian Ca.

I'm so fed up with this intermittent worry about cancer and even if they give me the all clear (although they can't be certain) every time I have PMB, having to be reinvestigated at each recurrence is doing my head in. I'm going to ask the consultant if I can have a hysterectomy and hopefully they'll agree....

Another success story here too. I was in my mid 50s and have been on the lowest dose of oestrogen only HRT more or less ever since. Wonderful.

It did mean three months off work as it’s impossible to lift anything for a week or two and you’re not allowed to drive due to the danger of emergency stops. Apart from that everything was positive.

I had mine at 35, a complete hysterectomy via the abdominal route. It was a life-changer, for so many reasons, but all in a positive way. Almost 30 years on, I do have issues with a prolapse and occasional stress incontinence, but these are not necessarily down to the hysterectomy, as the physio thinks a prolonged labour with a large first baby was chiefly the cause. Nor are they particularly bothersome.

My only regret was that I allowed a gp to take me off HRT. I wouldn’t repeat that decision!

If you decide to go ahead, I hope it gives you peace of mind and a positive outcome.

I had a total hysterectomy at 49 (now 63). Not allowed HRT because of other issues. All fine (worked hard on pelvic floor muscles so no long term bladder problems) but because no HRT libido is very noticeably lower!! Feel sad about that but husband understanding.

Madgran, good to know that your pelvic floor held out and that you have an understanding husband. I'm single and my libido died a long time ago so fortunately that's not too much of a concern - unless I finally meet the man of my dreams - I wish

Hi it's ok if you have a choice so here goes! I had mine 12 years ago after heavy bleeds and they found a cyst growing I was terrified of having it as I'd never been in hospital before for any thing major. They did the pomanders there was complications due to endometriosis but they got everything sorted and after a slow recovery I was fine. Got my life back and still fine had HRTfor four years which did help.

Sorry should ofchecked that 'operation' not pomanders?

I had one when I was 45 (for fibroids) and am now 73. Getting over it was not a problem and I've had no further trouble. Good luck!

I had an abdominal hysterectomy 25 years ago and have not looked back. I am 72 now. I wish it had been done much earlier. I had dreadful pms and extremely heavy periods. No side effects at all.

My symptoms were the same as yours Maggie and I was the same age as you. I had a vaginal hysterectomy and my ovaries were removed too. I was in hospital for a day. It was a couple of days before I could walk properly but no pain and I gave myself daily injections to prevent clotting. Absolutely no side effects at all - this was a couple of years ago and when giving my medical history to a nurse last year I forgot I'd had it! Good luck if you have it done and take care of yourself.

I had an abdominal total hysterectomy at 47, 22 years ago, because of fibroids that were giving me extremely painful periods. I was given an HRT implant during surgery, followed six months later by patches which I used for about three months before not having any HRT at all. I was extremely lucky in that I never had any menopausal symptoms. I was very happy that I had had my ovaries removed all those years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer last October (all recovered now!).
It was honestly the best thing I ever did. Good luck!

Forgot to add, my recovery was completely problem free with very little discomfort.

I had a partial hysterectomy ( ovaries retained) when I was 42. Uneventful recovery, never gave it another thought, and the relief from relentless flooding every month and exhaustion from anaemia that wasn't being controlled by iron tablets was enormous.

Had a keyhole vaginal total hysterectomy at 53, best thing due to fibroids, pain etc...no problems since...

I had horrendously heavy periods - thought that was the norm - and following an ectopic pregnancy, had one of the fallopian tubes removed. Had already had a sterilisation op when they discovered that I had fibroids, so finally had a hysterectomy and like sodapop and kathsue, never had a second's regret. The only subsequent issue was that about a year ago the mesh in my tummy came loose and had to be fixed, but not a major problem. If your doc thinks it'll be helpful, go with it! Good luck.

I have a theory that stress can actually cause or aggravate this, so maybe with you it's a vicious spiral. I had two episodes of PMB, one was about 2-4 weeks after the london terrorist attacks (tube and bus) and the other was about 2-4 weeks after my mother died. In each case I had pre-menstrual symptoms leading up, and had felt the twinges of ovulation. My theory was that when the brain senses trouble or danger, it persuades your body to try and become fertile in case we have to set to work to repopulate the planet after a disaster.

I had mine at 39 for vaginal prolapse after four very prolonged deliveries, vaginal route so no scar, ovaries retained at that age, . Recovered in 6 weeks, absolutely fine thereafter. Started menopausal symptoms four years later and been on HRT ever since. Had to have a vault prolapse repair after 25 years, but I am just weak in that area despite all the exercises. If you are not drooping already, you will be fine! Can understand the cancer fear, if you are post menopausal anyway, then do have then out!

I had 'the lot out' about 30 years ago due to endometriosis, fibroids etc. I couldn't have HRT straight away but after a few months was given the highest dose patch and it was wonderful. No PMT - just the same all the time - like being a man! I am 72 now and on the lowest dose HRT. Every time I try to stop it, I get terrible hot flushes. I don't regret the operation at all.

I had a sub total hysterectomy in 1997 and it was the best thing I EVER did. I kept my ovaries because I was only 41 at the time. I had reached the stage with ridiculously long heavy periods, that couldn’t be lessened with medication, that I just wanted rid of that part of my anatomy. The op was done through abdominal incision, I wasn’t overly bothered by the prospect, having had a Caesarian to have my daughter. My consultant told me he preferred removal by incision as he said a vaginal removal was like trying to get a semi inflated balloon through a keyhole! I could see the point.
Recovery was straight forward, yes there was pain but I took things steady, did as I was told and was soon feeling fine. The only tips I would pass on is that if you feel like coughing wrap your arms round your middle and do it as gently as possible because it hurts! and always try and stand up as straight as possible when you are first getting out of bed after surgery. The temptation is to sort of bend over a little as your tum is so sore, but do that too much you will just add a sore back to the mix!
It was such a relief to stop menstruating, I didn’t spend vast amounts on sanitary protection anymore and felt so much better emotionally and physically too.
All I say is go for it, you won’t regret it.