**H*E*L*P** Hysterectomy questions!!!!!**?

Question

So I'm getting ready to have a full {radical} hysterectomy. I'm only 33 and the thought of menopause scares the hell outta me. I'm not sure of recovery time, and I have a 3 month old baby. What about sex drive afterwards? What are the hormones like? Any personal experiances, advice, or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

The procedure is a must! i just am not so clear on the after effects. This will be a FULL hysterectomy ovaries and all.

Answer 1

I had a radical hysterectomy at 28, 6 mons. to the day after my son was born. Our stories seem similar. How it is performed makes a huge difference, but you still will probably need some help with your baby for at least a couple of weeks (hubby, sister, friend, mom, mother in law...someone that can come and help a couple hours each day while you recuperate). Check and see how your doc is performing the procedure - it makes a difference in recovery time...

LAVH - laparoscopic assisted vaginal; less invasive, quicker recovery
abdominal - more invasive, longer recovery
vaginal - less invasive and faster recovery than the others above, but can affect sexual function

Vaginal hysterectomy is preferable to abdominal hysterectomy where possible. Where vaginal hysterectomy is not possible, laparoscopic hysterectomy is preferable to abdominal hysterectomy, although it brings a higher chance of bladder or ureter injury [Methods of Hysterectomy: Systematic Review & Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials; BMJ. 2005 Jun 25;330(7506):1478].

It is a major operation, any way you cut it (no pun intended). It will take at least a couple weeks or even longer to be completely healed, depending on what was done, how complicated your sugery was, etc.

If you find the right HRT, you should begin to adjust with the symptoms (hot flashes, mood swings, lack of libido, etc.). Don't be afraid to tell your doc what's not working for you.

Good luck and hang in there. Hope it all turns out ok.

Answer 2

Why are you having the hysterectomy? surely a doctor did not suggest it because of the on set of menopause, which doesn't show up till around 45 anyway? If a doctor suggested it it is extremely poor advice, and if you are doing it on the fear that it will somehow reduce menopause you are sorely misinformed.

Unless you have some condition that is diagnosed such as fibroid tumors, cancers or some such thing you need to stop what you are doing and go get a second opinion from a reputable gynecologist.

If you go through it your sex drive will be much lower, you will have extreme dryness in the vaginal area, possible pain, and the hormone treatments give you the same ups and downs menopause did, not only that they cause all sorts of other problems, with a 3 month old baby, breast feeding will dry up in most women and besides when taking the hormone shots the chemical will also enter your child if you breast feed and cause side effect I don't even want to enumerate here in this forum.
You need to STOP what you are doing. Unless there is some life threatening thing happening which requires a hysterectomy.

Answer 3

I had a hysterectomy at 35 because of fibroid tumors. Learned later that had I waited, the tumors would have shrunk at menopause. Get a second or third opinion. Hysterectomy is one of the most unnecessary operations performed. The operation bought on early menopause a few years later, I didn't trip (freak out) about being infertile. Sex was better because I no longer worried about pregnancy. The vaginal dryness became a problem in later years, but the doctor put me on estrogen cream. My marriage didn't work out and when I remarried I wanted a baby but I had never had children. This is the only draw back. If you have it check the doctor's credentials.

Answer 4

Having a hysterectomy can be very scary. The healing time is not that long, but the you have the same effects as someone going through menopause. Hot flashes and extreme mood swings. The first month or so, you probably won't have much of a sex drive because of depression, but afterwards, it will come back to you.

Answer 5

Hello................
I wanted to answer your question about your situation I had a full hysterectomy in October of 2005. I haven't had any problems with menopause. I recovery in 8 to 9 weeks, I had a cut that didn't heal quickly where I had with a c-section. If you need more information you can contact me though my name..

Answer 6

oh, why.. menopause is not until between 45 to pass 50. Average age for a woman to have menopause is around 47-52. If I were u, get a second or even a third opinion on what ur about to do...

Answer 7

my mom had that early too.. she was at 40 or 41.. i know i know ur a lot younger to have it.. but then just want to share this to u... she had a full hysterectomy because she had an ovarian cyst.. she's ok now..

after my mom had it.. her sexlife was fine!! it's a long story how i found out.. no, i didnt walk into a room whre my mom and dad was..

let's just say there's a way of knowing.. hehehehe

although i must tell u, u have to be aware of ur emotions.. u'll be very moody.. like my mom.. and u'll be easily depressed.. so u have to ask for ur family's suppport for that..

and in addition to ur sex life.. i think ur doctor will prescribe something for that too.. im not sure what exactly didnt get to ask my mom that.. details werent necessary for me hehehe

i hope this helps!

Answer 8

well i am going through early menopause...i am 38 yrs old and the sex drive has gone way down.....so bad....and i am very moody ......and gotten lazy ......menopause sux if you ask me....but you have to get yourself motivated get your booty outta bed and continue on

Answer 9

my wife had one it was hard for her about three weeks after it messed with her head a bit but after that and about 6 weeks the sex was great and still is