Hysterectomy

[nuwanda-1998.livejournal.com]

Well, my friend has gone ahead and scheduled an elective hysterectomy after seeing her gyno for her annual checkup yesterday. She is positively excited about having six weeks off of work, and keeps saying she HAS to do this. She doesn't HAVE to do it, she's doing it because her period is an inconvenience. Her symptoms:

Cramping
Heavy bleeding/clotting 2 days out of 5-7 (generally the 2nd and 3rd days of her cycle)
Loose stools (generally the 2nd and 3rd days of her cycle)
Inconvenience

Ummm.. these are my menstrual side effects as well. THIS is enough to convince a gyno that you should have a major organ removed from your body? She's having a total hysterectomy and both ovaries removed. It boggles my mind that she's really going through with it just so she can have six weeks off of work and won't have to deal with her period anymore.

Can anyone suggest a good source of information on what a hysterectomy does to your body... how your body reacts to having its uterus/ovaries removed?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[jaclyn.livejournal.com]

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/endohystnhrt/ (http://www.angelfire.com/fl/endohystnhrt/)

http://www.findings.net/sans-uteri.html (http://www.findings.net/sans-uteri.html)

[edrecovery.livejournal.com]

Good reference!!!!

This says what I wanted to and couldn't/wouldn't.

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

that scares the &%($#@*$ out of me. i like my bits. i like my period. i don't mind the migraines as long as i don't run out of pain killer. i can't imagine having it done voluntarily.

Okay

[nuwanda-1998.livejournal.com]

I bit the bullet and e-mailed her the links you posted for me. Thanks for the information! I can't believe her gyno has informed her of all of that and she's STILL willing to electively remove her uterus and ovaries.

*Sigh*

[nuwanda-1998.livejournal.com]

Well, as predicted, my friend came home tonight and when she checked her e-mail there were the links on hysterectomy I'd sent her.

She's refusing to read them. Says she doesn't want to read anything that might scare her or change her mind. That she's decided to do this, and the surgery is scheduled for February 18th. at 2:00pm and she's having it and that's that. Says if she wants any medical advice she'll ask a doctor not look it up on the internet, (yah, because doctors are always a subjective source of information.)

Oh well. It's her body. It's her choice.

WHAT!?

[edrecovery.livejournal.com]

Unless your friend has adenomyosis, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, a prolapsed uterus, cervical/uterine/ovarian cancer, or possibly SEVERE PID, it would be difficult to find a good clinical reason for her to have a hysterectomy. Does she plan on insurance paying for this? Unless her hemoglobin is dipping down to 9 or below, endometriosis, fibroid tumors, or something I've mentioned, she may be fighting to have this bill paid-at least based on what has been shared here.

As for effects from the hysterectomy!?

With surgical menopause, (removal of the ovaries) there is a sudden decline in estrogen. In either case, the result is a state of estrogen shortage. Some women will have no signs or symptoms of decreased estrogen while others have many. Common symptoms include hot flashes, disturbed sleep, mood changes, vaginal dryness and urinary problems.

Regarding the benefits/risks of HRT--copied from a site:

Hot flashes - Estrogen will prevent most hot flashes. When hot flashes no longer occur, sleep is often improved. And with improved sleep, changes in moods are often decreased. Hot flashes will likely stop on their own but many women will have them for years without treatment.

Urinary problems - Estrogen acts directly on the tissue around the urethra (opening through which urine passes to the outside of the body). Lack of estrogen may be the cause of many urinary symptoms including incontinence (uncontrolled loss of urine), pain with urination, urgency and frequency. Incontinence problems can often be improved by doing Kegel exercises (pelvic muscle exercises) regularly. Information on Kegel exercises is available on a separate handout.

Vaginal dryness - Both painful intercourse and an increase in vaginal soreness may occur as a result of vaginal dryness (a decrease in lubrication is a result of the decrease in blood flow to the vaginal tissue). Taking estrogen restores the blood flow to the tissue of the vagina causing a decrease in both painful intercourse and vaginal soreness.

Osteoporosis - Many studies have shown that bone loss becomes more rapid with the decrease in estrogen at menopause. This bone loss can be slowed down by taking estrogen. Hip fractures are the most common result of osteoporosis or bone loss. Around 85% of all hip fractures occur in women and about 10% to 20% of persons with hip fractures die of complications. Other outcomes of osteoporosis include loss of height, curvature of the spine and back pain because of fractures in the spine.

Endometrial cancer - Much of the concern in the public eye about hormones has to do with the small but now well-known increase in the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus in women who take estrogen alone. This risk can be virtually eliminated by adding progestin (a synthetic progesterone which is a female hormone). Women who have had hysterectomies, therefore, do not need progestin as they are not at risk for endometrial cancer.

Heart Disease - Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women and, in fact, kills twice as many women each year as all types of cancer together. From the information available, it appears that taking estrogen prevents heart disease by improving blood cholesterol levels. Progestin may decrease some, but not all, of the benefits of estrogen on cholesterol levels. Women who are at high risk for developing heart disease should discuss their options for treatment with their health care provider.

Breast Cancer - It is not clear whether or not there is a link between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer. Research shows that there may be a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer after 10 years or more of taking estrogen.

Re: WHAT!?

[edrecovery.livejournal.com]

Side Effects of Estrogen and Progestins

Most women experience no side effects from estrogen or progestins. Possible side effects include:

Estrogen Progestin
Nausea Fluid retention
Bloating Mood changes
Breast tenderness Weight gain
Headache Headache

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) does not guarantee that these symptoms will go away. Furthermore, some women do not tolerate HRT well.

Potential risks/complications should be deterrents as well! Other than the obvious complications if she cannot take HRT (skin, bone, cardiovascular, sexual, etc.), there are other complications inherent with any surgical procedure. The complications of hysterectomy (by any route) include risk of bleeding, infection, anesthetic problems, thromboembolism, pulmonary problems, injury to bowel or bladder, or post-surgical adhesions, which could require more surgery. She could lose some or even a great deal of sexual sensation.

I don't know. Diarrhea and two days heavy bleeding (unless it is causing dangerous blood loss) as a reason for undergoing a hysterectomy? With what I have shared . . . and then some, I'm just, speechless.

I'm facing a hysterectomy. Guess I don't take the decision lightly, and it's not "elective." So, maybe I'm biased.

[michelleybelle.livejournal.com]

While I definately think it's a bad idea to have a complete hysterectomy without any real medical necessity, I do think that it's refreshing that there are doctors out there not insisting on making the decision for their patients. It may seem crazy to us, but it's her body and her right. I think it's awesome that her doctor respects that, as long as the physician is making the risks clrearly understood of course.

[edrecovery.livejournal.com]

I agree, if SHE is footing the bill. OR, if there is something she is NOT sharing that makes this more a necessity than she is sharing.

IF we are only talking about diarrhea and "heavy" bleeding, then, although it is great she has a compassionate physician, it is a surgery of convenience; it is surgeries such as these that drive insurance premiums through the ceiling and make getting this often medically necessary procedure MUCH more difficult. This surgery has historically been SO over-performed that many insurance agencies have cracked down.

Gee, I wonder why.

[dyfferent.livejournal.com]

True. I keep reading complaints in childfree that doctors make it really hard to have a tubal ligation if you're under 30, no matter how much you profess that you don't want children. They say "You'll change your mind."

[isolt.livejournal.com]

I bet that's got something to do with lawsuits. What doctor would allow a young woman to get a tubal ligation when a) there are other methods of birth control that are non-surgical and nearly as effective and b) should said woman change her mind, and the surgery can't be reversed, well, then, she's likely to sue, on the grounds that she wasn't well enough informed, or something? I totally understand that one.

[dyfferent.livejournal.com]

Some women really honestly believe that it's "my body, my choice." Why is that so hard to understand? I don't like it being assumed that I might change my mind--not if I'm a legal adult who can get all kinds of OTHER elective surgeries, practical and non, without anyone raising an eyebrow.

A simple pre-surgical contract that sets it all out in black and white should eliminate the lawsuit factor.

[urania.livejournal.com]

... perhaps it's possible that there is a more serious condition she doens't want to talk about to anyone xcept her doc? i've been in that boat a couple of times... and yeah, it seems a little weird to get a hysterectomy for that. but if she and her doctor agree that it's called for... hey... who knows.

[erinpinkhair.livejournal.com]

as much as i get annoyed with bleeding i don't think i'd want to give it up at all. i kinda like it... it reminds me that i am a woman. i think if i didn't have it i'd kinda miss out on those girl talks that we so often have about our period and stuff.

i know of some relatives that have had this procedure done and i know that it was incredibly painful and she wished she hadn't done it. there was a bunch of cramping and pain.

it's such a major surgury... there has to be another reason why she would get this done. i can't even imagine doing it.. wow...

[hercellardoor.livejournal.com]

my mom has never been able to have an orgasm since her hysterectomy. I also have a co-worker who says her love life has sucked since going under the knike. I dont know if I could do a trade-off like that. Yikes!

[amylynn.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine *choosing* to have an elective hysterectomy.
Ever.
My periods are usually absolute hell, and I still wouldn't do it unless it was determined that there's something more serious wrong with me -- but then it wouldn't be elective.
::ponders::
-amy

[likwid-valium.livejournal.com]

the money this woman will spend to keep her harmones filled is reason alone not to do it...

Reasons

[nuwanda-1998.livejournal.com]

If there are reasons she's having a hysterectomy that she hasn't shared (and I honestly have no reason to believe she wouldn't tell me, she's one of my best friends) they don't involve anything that would cause her so much pain or bleeding that she is forced to miss work or fun because of it.

She has never missed a day of work due to her period. We went on vacation last year to a dude ranch and were horseback riding 6-8 hours a day and she had her period all all but 4 days of that 10 day trip. Never once did she miss a single trip into the mountains on horseback due to heavy bleeding or pain.

I'm concerned because she's the kind of person who doesn't research anything, and will just go ahead and to this because her gyno is willing to, and because she can get 6 weeks off work paid, and won't have to be inconvenienced by her period any longer. I don't know what her gyno has told her, but every gyno I've ever seen has downplayed the potential side effects of a hysterectomy and HRT stating that with HRT the effects of hysterectomy are almost non-existant, and the side effects of HRT are minimal. If that's all she's being told, then she probably figures "what the hell"

If this has an affect on her sex life she's going to be a seriously unhappy camper, because her and her husband are sexually active on an almost DAILY basis.

I just don't know what to do, because if I try to talk to her about this she's going to be pissed because she'll view it as my trying to talk her out of it, or insinuating that she's too stupid to check things out for herself and make an educated decision.

*sigh*

Re: Reasons

[nuwanda-1998.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the good information and advice from everyone, but she's not interested in reading anything about hysterectomies or keeping vs removing ovaries/cervix... apparently ignorance is bliss.

*shrug*

Re: Reasons

[edrecovery.livejournal.com]

You're a good friend to at least TRY to tell her these things.

As you well know, though, ignorance is, well, IGNORANCE and is only blissful 'til it bites you in the ass. If she DOES end up with these all-too-common problems and you are able to support her in the mess she has created, then you are a better person than I!!!!! Of course I am bleeding sooooo heavily right now I have to change my pad and tampon once to twice AN HOUR, am so dizzy I can barely stand, and am on painkillers, so I may be talking OUT of my ass at the moment. Fact is, I support my friends, "bad" decisions and all. But haven't we all been tempted to call a subject off-limits?

Sorry, I'm rambling. Maybe I ought to seek medical attention. Grrrrrrr, erg ..... damn it.