Hysterectomy-now what?

[Anonymous]

I am recovering from a hysterectomy via laparoscopy (uterus, tubes, cervix) due to fibroids and endometriosis.
I’ve been wandering, now what? Should I consider HRT? Or just lifestyle changes?
I’m 51, was still in peri.

[Anonymous]

These are things you should have disused before with your dr or will discuss at your post op follow up.

[Anonymous]

How are you feeling, OP? Sudden menopause may be difficult to manage.

Can I also ask what were your endometriosis symptoms? I have suspected endo, a small fibroid in my cervix wall, but for the moment, hysterectomy is not indicated. My endo symptoms are mostly intense pain during bowel movements when I'm on my period (but not every single one), and general sensitivity in my lower abdomen, but I can live with that last thing if someone doesn't punch me in the belly.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, 2nd poster. I’m ok.
I’m not into sudden menopause, I still have my ovaries.
After 22 years since my previous lap to remove endometriosis, when it was everywhere, this time apparently it wasn’t terrible at all. Some here and there, but nothing extensive.
The reason for the hysterectomy was not endo, it was fibroids, the hard, largest of which was worn into the uterine wall. I never suffered from too much pain because of endo, I mean, some, but it did bring the grief of infertility.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, OP. I’m a big proponent of lifestyle changes for a strong foundation, then medicine. I hope your recovery goes smoothly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, 2nd poster. I’m ok.
I’m not into sudden menopause, I still have my ovaries.
After 22 years since my previous lap to remove endometriosis, when it was everywhere, this time apparently it wasn’t terrible at all. Some here and there, but nothing extensive.
The reason for the hysterectomy was not endo, it was fibroids, the hard, largest of which was worn into the uterine wall. I never suffered from too much pain because of endo, I mean, some, but it did bring the grief of infertility.

Was fibroid radiofrequency ablation not an option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are things you should have disused before with your dr or will discuss at your post op follow up.

Why wasn't this discussed prior? Also I don't understand why you would have such a radical full hysterectomy at 51 for a fibroid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, 2nd poster. I’m ok.
I’m not into sudden menopause, I still have my ovaries.
After 22 years since my previous lap to remove endometriosis, when it was everywhere, this time apparently it wasn’t terrible at all. Some here and there, but nothing extensive.
The reason for the hysterectomy was not endo, it was fibroids, the hard, largest of which was worn into the uterine wall. I never suffered from too much pain because of endo, I mean, some, but it did bring the grief of infertility.

Was fibroid radiofrequency ablation not an option?

At her age? Why?

Also, that would not have taken care of endo.

[Anonymous]

I think you should consider hrt. I’m on it. But I think it SHOULD be part of a while health convo. I don’t know if you’re metabolically healthy or what your stress levels are like. I’m a perfect world we’d get docs that could tell us through this. Absent that, I’d read up on recommended lifestyle changes and her and try to find a doc that’s up on the latest in memo care.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you to those who offered kindness and suggestions.
As far as lifestyle changes, any pointers? I’m specifically wondering about phytoestrogens, or anything like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you to those who offered kindness and suggestions.
As far as lifestyle changes, any pointers? I’m specifically wondering about phytoestrogens, or anything like that.

Hi OP I hope your recovery is going well. It took me about 3 months total to not feel like my insides were going to fall out of me.

I had a hysterectomy (also kept my ovaries) at 40 due to wildly excessive bleeding (2 weeks per month) fibroids and endometriosis.

My GYN first tried an IUD which disappeared after 2 months. They think I just expelled it somehow without realizing when the bleeding came straight back. An ablation also failed to stem my periods. The GYN told me I was in the 1-2% of patients for whom neither IUD or ablation worked.

It’s 20 years later and I’ve never been on any hormone replacements. I’ve noticed my hair starting to thin a little bit in the last year or so but it was super thick before so I have had a little room for that.

The approval for the hysterectomy was definitely helped in that my last child was adopted.

I hope you continue to recover, it’s a true blessing not to have that bleeding and pain in my life anymore and I wish for you the same!