Has anyone out there had a hysterectomy?

[Le Chat]

I may need one (or not) but am currently researching all I can to see if this is the right choice for me.
If you have had one, have you had any lasting after effects? How long was your recovery and has the operation affected your orgasmic ability or feeling? Sorry to be so blunt there but this is a subject where there is not as much information.
If you have a story and have the time, then feel free to share.
Thanks.

[Brinjal]

There can be side effect. You would need to talk to your gyne. Shortened vagina can be one.

[ubasses]

Had a total abodminal hysterectomy 5 years ago at 55. Had op Fri lunchtime discharged Sun lunchtime. By the Fri I was back to cooking dinners with help lifting heavy pans, and following Mon I was in Sainsbury doing the shopping again with help for top and bottom shelves. Back driving at 4 weeks. I have problems taking some medication so as soon as I was home I cut the doses in half and felt so much better. Really no other problems. Compared to the bowel op I had this year it was a walk in the park.

[TOWIE]

Had total hysterectomy 15 years ago - best thing I ever did - no problems sexually. I was recovering quite quickly until the painkillers hospital gave me, led to constipation, which in turn strained my stomach muscle and I ended up in A & E in agony.

[smurf]

had a total hysterectomy 25 years ago wonderful best thing i ever did in hospital 4 days back at work after 212 weeks and worked in factory then so quite heavy work, only thing i was only 32 at the time and i went straight into the change but hrt are wonderful things soon sorted symptoms out , go for it

[bensmum]

I had a total hysterectomy 18 years ago and never regretted it. Had to be aware that there were limits to what I could do immediately but was driving after 3 weeks and the recovery was pretty quick. I did find that I got tired quite quickly for a few weeks and went into an early menopause but the benefits far outweighed any inconvenience

[askyourgran]

You either need a hysterectomy or you don't, I'm surprised a surgeon would carry one out otherwise. I had one over 30 years ago, I needed to have one and I was up and about three days later but I had to stay in hospital 10 days. My operation involved me having a cut from pubes to navel, that was the worst part about it because of the time it took to heal. Nowadays in certain cases it can be done by suction which means less recovery time. I did contract a urine infection which cleared up quite soon. Apart from feeling the loss I went back to work two months later. You have to be careful of heavy lifting and carrying for a while. Six months later I was back to normal. Nothing else affected me, sex was great no worries about getting pregnant and no periods either. I did not suffer from symptoms of the change either, I was 38 then.

[Le Chat]

Gosh...very positive answers so far. so thanks everyone.
askyourgran...I have fibroids, which are causing me terrible pain and I am 48, so I know that this is an option. Just looking at all the options.

[shaneystar2]

I had one because of fibroids .In spite of a couple of D&C's back they came until I was walking around bleeding for weeks on end .
I had it done by vacuum privately .They left the ovaries .
Best days work I ever did although I went through an early menopause .
This was 26 years ago and I was 38.
Had three months off work ,but to be honest, felt fine after a few weeks .

[pips1]

Everyone will tell you it is the best thing they ever did - because it is.

[cathfromsaron]

my sis only had Os after hers!

good luck x

[boxtops]

Le Chat - me too, best thing I ever did. I too had large fibroids, I had my op in 1983 - and unlike the others I did nothing at all for two weeks on medical advice (no hoovering, no shopping!) then no driving for 10 weeks. (That was nearly 20 years ago so clinical advice may have changed since then!)

My SIL advised me to allow 3 months out of my life and I have never regretted it, and I've passed that tip onto others.

One of the best bits was about six weeks afterwards when I realised I hadn't - not one bit - missed having a period.

I did get cystistis immediately post-op but meds cured that in a day, after which time the post-op pain halved.

They took my ovaries at the same time (the surgeon said he might as well, while he was in there, to avoid any possibility of future ovarian problems) and he did a bit of tidying up while I was unconscious too, which I've always appreciated!

Sex afterwards was better and so much more relaxed - I had no worry about unexpected bleeding, no worries about travel, no contraception fears - go for it!

[Le Chat]

This is music to my ears!
I did have an endometrial ablation 3 yrs ago due to terrible bleeding, so I think the fibroids may be more painful as my womb is now very thin. I have no use for it and will not mourn it's loss...that's for sure!

[pips1]

You know what they say? you lose the cradle but keep the playpen, haha :)

[ubasses]

I had everything taken, womb, ovaries fallopian tubes and cervix. I was told the type of fibroid I had (it completely filled my womb and was very deeply imbedded) gave me a small increased risk of cancer so I was glad to see the back of it all.

[divegirl]

I had mine in February as I had cervical cancer that was heading north so to speak. I had mine keyhole and was out the next day!
I spent a few days in bed when I got home but was back walking the dogs (gently) after two weeks. I did tire easily but aside from that was fine.

I say go for it.... Not like you're going to use it again, one would assume lol

Lisa x

[giveup]

Had a total hysterectomy15 years ago,ovaries as well. Went on HRT,had no problems since. Sex life fine.

[alidoc]

I had a myomectomy for multiple fibroids, felt bit fragile for a few weeks after and couldn't drive for a few weeks. However 12 years on can say I have no regrets, sexual or otherwise.

[nohorn]

I had a complete hysterectomy because of cyst on ovaries. Doctor thought might as well take the uterus also. However, I had never had incontinence until after the surgery. I guess the pelvic floor isn't there anymore to support the bladder? If I had left the uterus intact maybe the incontinence would not have incurred. However, now I don't have to worry about uterine cancer. So that is something to be considered.