Hysterectomy for birth control

[Anonymous]

Is this done, are there any downsides to it?
I'm done having babies and these stories about getting pregnant after a tubal scare me.

[Anonymous]

Major surgery. I doubt you'll find a doctor who'll do this for you, for good reason.

If you're that paranoid, get your tubes tied and have your guy get a vasectomy.

[Anonymous]

I had a emergency partial hysterectomy. Mine was during birth, so I can't separate the surgery recovery from post partum recovery, but it seems like it would be significant. My doctor warned me that even a partial has a significant risk of sexual side effects. I haven't had any, but it's something to seriously consider. I also read an article that said women with partial hysterectomies tend to experience menopause around 2 years earlier than women who have not had the surgery.

[Anonymous]

MAJOR surgery. I had a total hysterectomy because of a borderline tumor. I was recovering for 3 weeks in bed. Then another 4 weeks to feel normal again. It was a long recovery. I have had 2 c sections and 3 laproscopies (sp?) and they were a cake walk compared to this.

[Anonymous]

My mom had a hysterectomy because of fibroids. She has always tended to scar badly and the internal scarring from the hysterectomy became a real problem. She had residual pain and discomfort for years after the operation. I can't imagine doing this as elective surgery.

[Anonymous]

Even having one ovary taken out affected me some - get your tubes tied instead!

[Anonymous]

OP, I totally get you, but you would have to be under general anesthesia, which has it's risks, as well as the risks of having an organ removed--bleeding, sometimes a lot, that is internal and doesn't always resolve without additional surgery. A friend almost hemorrhaged to death after a hysterectomy. And for some reason they discharge you the day off the surgery. I had mine for huge fibroids, and while it is all done laparoscopically you will have a ton of bruising. Not to be taken lightly. Risk vs. Benefits. Don't think you'd find a surgeon to do it for BC. Maybe in another country.

[Anonymous]

Major surgery, plus it's a major hormonal shift for your body - one that will likely require hormone therapy until menopause and will cause you a lot of emotional side effects. I have considered this because of terrible endometriosis, and the side effects ARE NOT WORTH IT.

[Anonymous]

You'll essentially go through immediate menopause if you do this.

It's a huge, major surgery.

I can't think of any surgeon who would be willing to do it based on you wanting birth control.

Just get a tubal and also get Essure. That'll fix your tubes AND your uterus, which means pretty much -100% chance of pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with your DH getting snipped? Much easier

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You'll essentially go through immediate menopause if you do this.

It's a huge, major surgery.

I can't think of any surgeon who would be willing to do it based on you wanting birth control.

Just get a tubal and also get Essure. That'll fix your tubes AND your uterus, which means pretty much -100% chance of pregnancy.

Only if the ovaries are removed. And they usually are left intact during a hysterectomy unless there is a risk of cancer. Otherwise you will stop getting a period, but the body will continue to produce hormones. Which is not to say that there won't be other side effects.
Barring a serious medical reason, I would be surprised if any doctor agreed to such surgeries as birth control.

[Anonymous]

This is not something worth the risks when there are far less risky options. If you get a tubal and DH gets a vasectomy, I'm pretty sure that will prevent the two of you from ever conceiving again.

The risk of dying due to hysterectomy complications is less than 1%. The chance of a pregnancy after a tubal is also less than 1%

[Anonymous]

You won't find a doctor who will do this. And of you do, you should run far, far away from that doctor.

[Anonymous]

Dumbest idea I have ever heard.

[Anonymous]

There's a lot of absurdly wrong/outdated info on this thread! Oh my...

First, it's not the greatest idea for birth control....but you dont go into menopause, you dont end up with a huge scar, and it doesnt take 3+ weeks to recover from. It is a major surgery, but it's done laprascopically these days with a belly button incision. You could be back to work after a week if you have some lattitude to take it slower. Definitely could be fully back in 2 weeks (10 days even).

OP, you may get "lucky" with super heavy bleeding and then"get" to have a hysterectomy. Having been through it, it wasn'tas much of a "major surgery" as I anticipated, but it's not a walk in the park either. Have to say that the best part is NEVER dealing with periods and pads and leaks and tampons...never thinking about it! It's wonderful to be rid of it.