Due to have a hysterectomy but am scared to death after viewing a video about side effects!

In response to Norawcoffey:
Your personal comments directed to me were not only offensive but entirely inaccurate. "it is apparent that you were not a very sexual woman". Really, do you think you have the knowledge to say such a ridiculous thing? My husband of sixteen years begs to differ with you. In fact he believes that I became even more sexually active after I had my uterus removed because of the problems that I was experiencing. One doesn't know everything about everyone and that certainly includes you. This forum is here for all of us to express our opinions based on our experiences. I expressed mine. Whether you agree with it or not does not give you the right to make personal judgements against me. Do have a lovely day.

Hello toodles. I'm glad that you feel that having your female organs removed was a positive experience, and the right decision for you. But it concerns me that you tell other women to "get it done".

It is apparent that you were not a very sexual woman, and that you never experienced uterine orgasm. The contractions that occur during orgasm are powerful, earth shakingly satisfying, and a great release. It is not possible to experience uterine orgasm without a uterus, and it's also important to know that the vagina is cut into at the top of the vaginal canal, sutured shut after the uterus is pulled out, and made into a shortened, closed pocket.

The uterus has many important life long functions. The uterus is a hormone producing reproductive sex organ that supports the bladder and the bowel. During a hysterectomy the ligaments, blood supply and nerve supply are severed, causing a loss of physical sensation in the vagina, clitoris and labia. In addition, the uterus gives women cardiovascular protection. When the uterus is removed women have a 3X greater incidence of heart disease. When the ovaries are removed it's 7X greater.

You may want to think twice, toodles, before you tell women to have a surgery that is well documented and well known to be damaging.

I had to have a hysterectomy and it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me! My side effects amounted to swelling and gas. Worth it. No more problems, no more severe back pain, no more debilitating periods-get it done.

Unfortunately, I'm still dealing with the aftereffects of my mastectomy from a year ago, so the subject is still on hold. Although I don't currently have breast cancer, due to an infection after my surgery and later a blood clot, my treatment has taken a different turn. I'm hoping to start reconstructive surgery next month. Once I'm done with that, then I'll address the uterine fribroid. It's possible that it has shrunk due to the onset of menopause! Thanks for your thoughts. I will still consider all of this very, very carefully when it's time to make a decision.

Hello Terri,

I was wondering (and hope you read this) if you can share an update of how you are doing, and if you ever did go through with having a Hysterectomy. I am sincerely hoping you did not, and sought other alternatives to save yourself from this surgery. See I had one, and so pushed into this by my GYN for two fibroids. He did not tell me of alternatives; nor did he share with me the possible and probable complications women suffer after such a major surgery as this. I have posted here, and explained what happened to me. I have been thinking about you, and just would like to know you have made the best decision for you. I am not a negative person, visa versa; but, this has completely changed my life around, and I am one who was unforunate to believe in a long time doctor, go with what he said, and he took advantage of me for profit. As I also have said in previous post - I had an added situation. I had/have a nerve disease (RSD for short). This doctor knew this, and he should have checked out all other alternatives for me; in that, any surgery performed on a person with RSD, is not good. He, as a doctor, should have known this, at least have saved me from this surgery. I am so sad about this; as I now suffer with the added outcome with my body of having the RSD spread throughout my body. But I, like millions of women, even with not having RSD, I suffer with physical symptoms now - like lower back pain, abdominal pain, and major fatigue. I wish I knew then what I know now. I hope you have researched this well, and you sound like a smart person. If you could, as I said, let me know how you are.

Take care,

See Dandy

Anon and SeeDandy1 - There's no reason for your comments to be deleted, we want them on the site. Could they be on an earlier page? If they somehow just disappeared you're welcome to post again and I will keep an eye out for them for you.
Pat

Here is a show I heard in September 14, I thought was good. Here is the information. http://sellman.progressiveradionetwork.org/page/2.aspx
What Women Must Know - 09/14/09
Nora Coffey, founder of HERS (Hysterectomy Educational and Research Services) and author of The H Word, explores the myths and truth about hysterectomies, how to prevent them, their long-term health risks and what to do if you already had one.

http://www.hersfoundation.org

Wow my whole message was deleted??