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

Hello Everyone,
I surely started some dialogue. To all who posted here of recent, and Nora, you, once again, state facts with what happens to a female's body with a Hyst. I also agree with others here and what said. I do say to you, Toodles, this: You were so fortunate that your Hyst., to you and with your husband's feelings, came out to be positive for you. You are so lucky. But, you are hearing back from women, and just like myself, who were not fortunate; and, what is so 'unfortunate' is that there are too many and in the 'millions' (yes, millions) who have been devasted physically (yes, physically) by having this surgery done. We, who speak up, are saying, "It is not worth it to take this chance." Women have been deceived by doctors and pushed into having this surgery, and the outcome has been to a horrific demise. The problems afterwards are so awful, and in many cases; even more life threatening. Women, as just as myself, realize horrible aftermath symptoms; such as, lower back pain, abdominal pain, continuous awful fatigue, bladder problems, other organ problems, prolapse of the lower body organs, to name a few... Now, I type here for my husband; as he is right here beside me. He says, "My wife was a vibrant, and esteemed achiever before her Hyst.. She had the stamina to do it all; even fighting her RSD. After the Hyst., she went downhill, and has suffered so many physcial problems, and seen so many doctors for help. The poor thing. But also, she and I, before the Hyst. had a great 'sexual relationship'. We were even teased by other married couples, our friends. We loved to 'make love' at least two/three times a week. We had been married for 22 years when she had the Hyst.."

I have a lingerie drawer full of sexy outfits and fishnet stockings; i.e., lots of great and alluring lingerie to 'spice' things up. This drawer, I am sure has 'cobwebs' in it now. I used to promote love making with my husband; such as sneek into the shower when he was taking one. I had my Hyst. on Dec. 29th, 2003. My husband and I have probably made love, since then, about five times. Due to the Hyst., I have lost my sexual desire completely. Again, this is hearing from a woman who was referred to as a 'sex kitten' before this Hyst., and my husband has certainly seen the change in me. I feel sorry for him. See, and too - it changes things with a relationship when a Hyst. turns out badly, and family and friends can even question what is wrong. This is awful, in itself. I am so thankful my husband is supportive. See, he knows that I was deceived, and should never have had the Hyst., and if I say something is wrong - there is.

We, who have had our lives completely turned around from the devastation of a Hyst. do get emotional. I am a firm believer that if men would be subjected to what we, the millions of women who have been hurt by having a Hyst. realize and face; it truly would be the same for them as cutting their penis's in half, and removing their testicles. How do you think any man would feel after this kind of surgery done on him? And that is just what can be seen on the outside with men. Women have this done to their insides; therefore, what cannot be seen, must not be. Wouldn't you believe that anyone would be compassionate for a male who had his penis shortened and balls removed, and not question why he has no sexual desire any longer, and must be in horrible physical pain, and trauma, and emotionally upset? This is what happens, in comparison, to women with the outcome of a Hyst., and I am 'living proof' of this.

Toodles, again, you are so fortunate, and I do want you to know I am glad to hear you were fortunate. You were hearing from the emotions of others here, and I am sorry the dialogue took this direction. Now, as far as doctors and what was trying to be conveyed with this is: Doctors do not give females enough information and advise women of all the alternatives out there. There are too many doctors, and if you go to the Hers Foundation website and read the blogs (one is: "Name That Doctor") you will have more compassion for women who have been ill treated by doctors, and too many out there who are just into pushing women into this for the money, power, and so uncaring. I, again, saw this 'first hand'. I also was scared into having a Hyst., and not advised on any alternatives, and the factor with fibroids, which I had, could have just shriveled up; as 'Mother Nature' would take her course. I also was never told of possible (and I say "probable") complications and problems by having a Hyst.. I definitely was not, by signing a 'Consent' ... 'Informed'. The GYN who forced/scared me into having this Hyst. was a man I had known for 18 years, and this is one other factor. I put my faith into him and trusted him. He also, in my personal case, aware I had the disease of 'RSD', a disabling nerve disease/syndrome. HE KNEW THIS. He should never have performed surgery on me; e.g., tried to find every alternative to avoid a surgery on me; which could cause the RSD to spread further. He already knew nerves, ligaments, and tendons are severed during this, and he had no consideration for me with this. How dare him not inform me.

I will never be the same as I was, I fear. I would love to be as you, Toodles. I am not, and I ask for you to just understand that women, as myself, are trying to save others from making a mistake when there are alternatives to this life changing operation for too many. Men would not have this done. Why should women? A doctor, with a man, would do everything possible to save his penis and testicles, and such. What is the difference with a female? "Worth It", as you said; I do hope you meant worth it to check all alternatives, and only do a Hyst. if it truly would mean life or death, and I fear for women that if they make this choice, and do it - the risk of complications - horrible complications - is not worth taking this chance of realizing in the aftermath, and THERE IS NO GOING BACK...

I speak with facts and first hand experience, and have heard too many just like me who are like this - in the millions. This statistic is too many. We need to thank all at the Hers Foundation for getting the 'Word' out so women can make informed decisions and truly be educated. I wish I would have been, and I should have heard from that doctor what I had to find out afterwards from a foundation as this. This is so sick to me.

I wish you well, Toodles.