Pros and Cons of Keeping Ovaries

When I was considering getting a hysterectomy, my friend urged me to have my ovaries removed no matter what. She has had wonderful results with her HRT and loves being on an "even keel" emotionally. My doctor, on the other hand, said it's better to keep the ovaries if at all possible. In the end, I opted to keep my ovaries if they appeared healthy, and that's what happened. So, is it better to keep the ovaries or have them removed? If your ovaries are diseased, grossly enlarged, or otherwised damaged, you should definitely consider removal. If they're healthy, however, it's a bit more complicated.

Pros of Keeping Ovaries

• When the ovaries are removed, the body is sent into instant menopause. This surgical menopause is more severe than natural, gradual menopause.
• If you keep your ovaries, your body should continue to produce reproductive hormones and you can usually delay the need for HRT.
• Keeping your ovaries usually diminishes menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, although some women with ovaries experience these things for a while post-op.

Cons of Keeping Ovaries

• If you still have your ovaries, you can still ovulate. This means you can still experience pain during ovulation and PMS
• You can still develop ovarian cancer. If you have a family history of ovarian cancer or other risk factors for the disease, discuss this with your doctor.
• You can still develop ovarian cysts.
  

In the end, this is a personal decision that only you and your doctor can make. Weigh out your options and consider your age, health, and risk factors. Good luck!

There is life after hysterectomy... and it's good. Enjoy!

Reasons to Get Hysterectomy

There are many reasons to get hysterectomy... and many reasons not to. So, what conditions really do require such drastic surgery? That depends on many factors, such as a woman's age, her condition, and whether or not she wishes to become pregnant.

Is Endometriosis a Good Reason for Surgery?

Many women get hysterectomies for severe endometriosis. This is a good last resort for endo, but it shouldn't be the first line of treatment, especially if you wish to have children. If you have endometriosis and you would like to have kids (or more kids), there are treatments available that can preserve your fertility. Ask about:

• Laparoscopic surgery
• Hormone treatments
• Dietary and lifestyle changes
• Mirena IUD (until pregnancy is desired)
• Birth control pills (until pregnancy is desired)
• Progestins

If preserving fertility is not a concern, you might consider an endometrial ablation. This procedure burns the lining of the uterus and usually results in less bleeding. Results are mixed for women with endo, though, as many report that pain is not improved.

Other Reasons to Get Hysterectomy

In addition to hysterectomy, there are other reasons women choose to get hysterectomy. These include cancer, uncontrollable bleeding, advanced uterine disease, fibroids, uterine prolapse, uterine rupture, and adenomyosis. Although all of these are sometimes legitimate reasons for hysterectomy, consider all available options. As long as you are not facing a medical emergency, as in the case of a rupture, you should always get a second-- and even a third or fourth-- opinion before you schedule surgery. Make sure that all treatment options have been explored.

There is life after hysterectomy... and it's good. Enjoy!

Are You Ready for Hysterectomy?

Before you go in for your hysterectomy, make sure you are really ready for it. No, I'm not talking about your specific symptoms or your condition; I'm talking about mental and emotional preparation. The removal of your uterus is huge. It's a big deal. It's saying good-bye to a part of you, and don't underestimate the emotions of that.

There is a certain amount of emotion that accompanies hysterectomy, but being prepared can help. Here are a few things you should be clear about:


1. Are you absolutely 100% sure that your childbearing days are behind you?

This is a biggie. Before you remove your womb, make sure you are at peace with the idea of never having children. Even if you already have kids, this is a big decision. Are you sure you don't want to have more kids? Are you sure your family is complete? The time to face this is before you go under the knife. Once done, this surgery cannot be undone!

2. Are you sure hysterectomy is your only option?

Don't get me wrong: I'm not one of those anti-hysterectomy folks. I don't believe that all hysterectomies could be avoided. But, I've had a hysterectomy.... it's major surgery. I would hate to see anyone go through the pain if it could be avoided. Make sure you research your options, get second and third opinions, and make sure hysterectomy is really what you need.

3. Is this your decision-- or your doctor's?

Like it or not, there are doctors who prescribe surgery as a first line of defense. There are doctors who make you feel there are no options. And there are doctors who push, rush, and bully their patients into decisions. The decision to remove your uterus is not one to take lightly; it's not a choice to make on the fly. It should be your decision, and no one else's. Sure, you should get your doctor's medical opinion and you should discuss with your spouse, friends, and family, but in the end, it's your body and your decision. You, and you alone, live with the repercussions.

4. Do you know your hysterectomy options?

There are different types of hysterectomies, and each has its own recovery time, hospital stays, pros, and cons. Understand the options. Ask why your doctor is recommending a certain method over others. Before you even get close to the hospital, discuss your doctor's views on keeping the ovaries, tubes, and cervix. This is your surgery-- personalize it to your views, your life, and your condition.

Hysterectomy is rough, but being mentally and emotionally prepared makes it much smoother.

There is life after hysterectomy... and it's good. Enjoy!

Reasons to Have an Abdominal Hysterectomy

When I first seriously discussed hysterectomy with my doctor, I was astonished when he said total abdominal hysterectomy would be his method of choice. With all the less invasive versions available today, such as the Da Vinci, vaginal, or laproscopic, the abdominal surgery seems positively primitive! The incision is larger, the hospital stay is longer, and the recovery period is more painful. Turns out, there are actually reasons for some women to have the old-fashioned abdominal hysterectomy, though.

When I asked my doctor why he wouldn't do the surgery vaginally, he told me, "I'm not going to pull your uterus out through your vagina just to prove I can." He went on to explain that the possibility of damage to the bladder, urinary tract, blood vessels, and surrounding organs is significantly higher in vaginal hysterectomy than in the traditional abdominal method.

In addition, abdominal hysterectomy is preferred in cases of severe endometriosis. In these cases, the surgeon needs to be able to fully explore the ovaries, bowels, and surrounding organs to ensure that all the endo has been removed. This helps prevent recurrence.

Other times abdominal surgery may be needed include:

*Other need for abdominal exploration
*Enlarged uterus
*Cancer
*Obese patients
*Large fibroids

In the end, only you and your doctor can decide on the correct method for you. Whatever you decide, good luck!