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Please don't be fooled by scare tactics. You need your uterus and your ovaries your entire lifetime. The uterus is a powerful hormone responsive muscle. Your ovaries produce your own natural hormones your entire lifetime. Your stomach will become distended and protruding after a hysterectomy because they remove the uterus. Like a cat that is spayed or neutered. Hang on to your ovaries and uterus ladies, your health and vitality will never be the same, you will become fatiqued easily for the rest of your life and will never be the same because your own hormones were taken from you. The hormones the doctors try to convince you will help, cause stroke and I can say from experience, they do not make you feel like you did before, not even close. When the doctor tries to scare you about cancer he/she is trying to make a buck, the ovarian cancer risk is very, very low.
Negative- you do not "need" you uterus all your life. Many people live their lives very well without one, and have a tremendous sex life afterward as well. In many instances, it is the only way for relief from medical conditions plaguing that patient at the time. Many women have considered the day of their hysterectomy to be a day of freedom- freedom from the periods, freedom from the pain, freedom from the discomfort. There can be sexual freedom as well , IF a person desires, after hysterectomy. It is all individual basis; not every woman will have a better sex life afterward, but a large number DO.
The uterus, in itself has little to do with sexual response. It is not linked to sexual activity. It does elevate during orgasm, as a result of contraction. In most instances, the "orgasm feeling" is a result of the contractions from surrounding muscle groups, responding to the stimulus. The hormones are produced by the ovaries, not the uterus. The uterus is a muscle organ, designed for carrying of the infant. It is not an endocrine or exocrine gland. Many women, sexually active and responsive prior to surgery, still report good quality of sex response after hysterectomy.
Stomach distention does not necessarily develop as a result of hysterectomy. There are other causes for that. Causes such as over eating and not exercising, but that is another topic.
The fatigue syndrome may be present for a short time after surgery. This is normal from any major surgical procedure. There will be an adjustment period if the ovaries are removed, but hormone replacement can be discussed with you physician PRIOR to the surgery. The decisions to remove the ovaries is based upon many factors, and is determined on an individual basis, in regard to family history, age, current health conditions and propensity for future ovarian disease.
Any medication has a potential for known adverse affects, or for new effects. Just because a medication affects one person adversely, does not mean it will do the same for you. Again, Other medical conditions and prescription medications have to be taken into consideration,. BUT- that is for the patient and physician to decide. The projected effects of the medication, and the known side effects or contraindications should be discussed prior to agreeing to the replacement therapy.
Last- NO credible GYN surgeon is "out there to make a buck" by performing unnecessary surgery. In this day and age, the physician uses surgery as the last modality for treatment, because of many things, litigation being one. There are committees which oversee the surgical procedures performed, and the reason for such. There is a lot of responsibility and risk potentials taken when one places a scalpel to an abdomen, and removes organs. There is a lot of potential for litigation as well, something no credible physician wishes to face.
Listen to yourself and your physician. You are the ones who should be making these decisions, not people on the boards- people who may have had a complication which is known to happen, but happens rarely. Most of these surgeries are performed by extremely competent physicians like clockwork, with the patient going very well, and going home in minimum time. Many patients have great outcomes, IF they follow the physicians guidelines, both preoperatively and postoperatively.
Please check your surgeon out on your state's medical examiner board web site. It can tell you his history and training, as well as any pending or past litigations, reprimands, etc. Also, speak to the surgeon about the variety o ways in which a hysterectomy can be performed. Abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic approaches are available, depending upon the persons present and past medical history.
AND- many people DO enjoy sex afterward; some even more than before. Don't let the horror stories fool you. Of course, this also depends on the extent of sex life prior to the surgery. This is not a cure all for people who have drawn away from each other for other reasons. BUT- if the pelvic dysfunctions have been the reason for avoidance of sex, removal of the organ MAY be helpful to renew a beautiful relationship; one which can continue into late life.
There can be sexual freedom as well , IF a person desires, after hysterectomy. It is all individual basis; not every woman will have a better sex life afterward, but a large number DO.
And some women lose interest in sex altogether after having their ovaries removed, and hormones don't really help. Some women have taken testosterone in order to have a sex drive, but some have had to stop using this hormone for various reasons.
And some women lose interest in sex altogether after having their ovaries removed, and hormones don't really help. Some women have taken testosterone in order to have a sex drive, but some have had to stop using this hormone for various reasons.
That too is true, but as I mentioned, what was taking place prior to the surgery is an important aspect as well. Some women, prior to ovarian surgery have had to resort to testosterone in order to increase the sexual drive. Hormones , at various levels do wok for most women, but not every modality is applicable to all women.
As always, it's an individual thing. Some women way past menopause and taking no estrogen do not dry up and still have sexual cravings. Other women of the same age are not interested at all.
Moderator cut: offensive Fibroids are easily removed by doing a myomectomy by a competent doctor. If they are growing back, he is not getting all of them. Moderator cut: not allowed
Last edited by Mattie Jo; 02-01-2008 at 12:54 PM..
Reason: not allowed, offensive
Women who undergo hysterectomy do not have the functional or structural benefits of the uterus. Menopausal women have an intact uterus.
The loss of uterine contractions that occur during orgasm is not an individual thing, it is a universal fact of being female. Uterine orgasm cannot occur without a uterus. You can only lose what you have, so women who never experienced uterine orgasm can't lose it, but women who never experienced uterine orgasm will lose the possibility that they will ever have the experience if their uterus is removed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lillietta
As always, it's an individual thing. Some women way past menopause and taking no estrogen do not dry up and still have sexual cravings. Other women of the same age are not interested at all.
I hope the OP will get a second opinion and soon. My grandma nearly died from complications of fibriods. She waited and waited not wanting to have the surgery.
It's unfortunate that your grandma didn't have access to a gynecologist experienced at performing myomectomies. Myomectomies have been succesfully performed for over a century. Although such severe symptoms from fibroids are rare, there was absolutely no reason (except having the wrong doctor) that your grandma could not have had her problems resolved conservatively, with removal of only the fibroids, not her uterus.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inthesierras
I hope the OP will get a second opinion and soon. My grandma nearly died from complications of fibriods. She waited and waited not wanting to have the surgery.
Last edited by Mattie Jo; 02-01-2008 at 12:58 PM..
Reason: links not allowed
You are supporting this woman listening to her doctor who wants to perform a hysterectomy for fibroids. You seem supportive of women doing what a doctor recommends, and opposed to women obtaining information about conservative options in treatment.
It would be instructive if you would point out exactly what misinformation has been given out. Without correcting what you believe is incorrect your comments can only be construed as meaning that she should do what the doctor says and ignore other information that may be conservative and in her best interest.
I have responded to your post in detail. I would appreciate a professional response of the same caliber.
"In actuality, I hope the poster listens to her surgeon, rather than some of the tremendous misinformation being given here."
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Hysterectomy and menopause
