Question for you ladies who've had a hysterectomy

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.

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.

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.

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....

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 ?

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)

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.

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....

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

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.

Another positive story here, I had a hysterectomy 25 years ago due to heavy bleeding and fibroids. It was the abdominal route no keyhole surgery then. I had a slow but uneventful recovery and never looked back. My life was so improved I can't tell you,
Good luck,

I had mine 26 years ago aged 41 due to fibroids which caused excessive bleeding and severe anaemia. I felt like I'd got my life back afterwards. So no regrets.

I had mine at 35 due to horrendous bleeding every month which was ruining my life. Best decision I ever made - life improved instantly and I've never regretted it.

Mine was done vaginally and I was out of bed in a couple of days and home soon after. I went back to work exactly 4 weeks later. Vaginal is the way to go if you have a choice , since there is no abdominal incision and so there is very little damage to your muscles and you recover very quickly.

Same as Doodle .(Word for word)
Absolute life changer.
I feel better now than I have done in 30 years!

Useful advice about the ovaries - thanks Doodle, glad you're glad! Think my mind is made up - I'll push for one so I have peace of mind. Also the only surefire way to make sure I don't have cancer is to do a hysterectomy - they've never managed to get enough tissue from my womb (because lining is very thin) to do a biopsy.

maggie I had one when 58 as I had horrendous bleeding and fibroids. I would never assume to tell others what to do but feel I must pass on advice from a doctor friend to me at the time "make sure they take the ovaries too". I had the full works. No regrets. Do pelvic floor exercises after (the type recommended for post hysterectomy). My scar is tiny not really noticeable. So glad I had it done.

Nanabilly I have a hairy chin already, oh dear! I do feel for those of you who had it done relatively young and had to deal with the sense of emotional loss. I'm fortunate in that it won't be an issue for me because of my age.

Anan, I hope you made a full recovery from your breast Ca.

Mine was 28 years ago after putting up for ten years with excessive, sudden bleeding which was making work almost impossible. I also suffered from quite severe anaemia. Although I had a general anaesthetic, our ward was being trialled with an epidural which was kept in for a few days afterwards. I can honestly say I had no pain to speak of. Unlike the jungle camouflage some gnetters have mentioned, my scar is hidden by an overhang! I have never regretted it.

I had my hysterectomy about 24 years ago. I also opted to have my ovaries removed (which proved to be a good decision as I was diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years later). I never once regretted having the procedure and wished I had pushed for it to be done sooner.

I had “It all taken away” because of a massive ovarian cyst 18 years ago when I was 51. Because of the cyst (4 pints!) it had to be with a big incision, but I understand other methods do not necessitate such a long recovery time. Never had any side effects and found HRT implant after was excellent. Sadly was not allowed a further one. Go for it Maggie

I had a total hysterectomy many many years ago and it's the best thing I ever demanded a doctor do for me , yes I demanded it . Acted decades of horrific periods and lots of "scrapes"for heavy bleeding I sat in the cubicle at gynae clinic and said to the young doctor "i want a hysterectomy" he fetched us senior doctor in and it was agreed they would do it in the next few weeks and they did and I've never regretted it and they certainly did not regret it either as the outside of my womb was covered in fibroids which never showed u on any scans. doctor said her never seen anything like it and it was like a boat covered in barnacles.
I had hormonal implant in but it caused problems so went on patches which ended up on the husband in a morning!
Hairy chin is my only problem since then!

25 years ago for me also at 41 due to fibroids abd endometriosis and adhesions from two previous c.sections,my problems where more of the emotional loss,my MIL at 71 also felt a loss,physically with a young family to care for and two elderly mums meant recovery time was limited but returned to full time work after 3months.I had the abdominal surgery scar for previous c.sections used,very neat and healed very well ,advice will be given re post operative care,these days you are discharged from hospital quite quickly so its important not to lift etc,I was in for 10 days so a bit further along the recovery route ...good luck I have never regreted having it done

Pippa my DD is 30 and asked for a hysterectomy for the same reasons you had yours. Her periods disrupt her life. They told her she is too young. Opinions change.

Haha Lucky, I have a jungle too so nothing to worry about there!

It's very useful to hear nothing but positive stories, especially from you ladies who had them many years ago and have had no problems since. I'm really beginning to think that the pros outweigh the cons. Am prepared for quite a few weeks to recover but might try to look on it as an enforced relaxation period! (I'm a typical type A personality, always running around etc).

I'm also looking into the benefits of keeping my ovaries as the PMB would only necessitate removal of the uterus. Obviously no ovaries means no worry about ovarian cancer but I'm not high risk for that. On the other hand, I'm a worry wort.....